Lake levels already above normal, supervisors say let water out

Lake Ontario is heading into winter with levels higher than normal, increasing the chances of more flooding in the spring. This while the debate over whether the current management plan is doing more harm than good is raging, even among local representatives.

“I think we can debate all day what the cause is,” says Bill Reilich, Greece Town Supervisor and Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board member. He still blames Plan 2014 for the recent shoreline flooding, despite US Chair on the International Joint Commission and fellow Republican Jane Corwin saying it was historic rain, not the much-maligned management plan.

“I don’t think the issue is what causes the waters to rise, the issue is we’ve got to lower the water,” he adds.

Reilich says lake levels are already a foot and a half above normal. Now is the time to adjust.