GROWING COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, CONSERVATION AND SPORTSMEN GROUPS VOICE SUPPORT FOR NEW APPROACH TO WATER LEVEL REGULATION
Organizations from the United States and Canada Sign Letter Calling
for Speedy Approval of Plan Bv7
March 27, 2012
Contact: Stephanie Weiss, Save The River, (315) 686-2010
A growing international group of 24 environmental, conservation and sportsmen organizations, led by Save The River and The Nature Conservancy today urged the speedy adoption of Plan Bv7, which is a new approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
In a letter sent to the International Joint Commission (IJC), the groups state that they are “Very encouraged by the balanced approach to regulation exemplified by Plan Bv7.” The letter goes on to say “This plan achieves the IJC’s previously-stated goal of moving toward more natural flows to benefit the environment while respecting other interests.”
Plan Bv7 was announced on January 30th and represents an innovative approach to water level regulation in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. At that time Save The River and The Nature Conservancy expressed their support for the approach contained in Plan Bv7, which will deliver environmental improvements along with substantial benefits for the regional economy and property owners. Additional organizations have reviewed the plan and have added their support for it through this letter. These 24 organizations represent environmental and conservation advocates as well as hunters and anglers in the United States and Canada.
Jennifer Caddick, Save The River executive director, said, “Support for Plan Bv7 is growing and we are very pleased that so many organizations have signed this letter calling for adoption of Plan Bv7. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system is the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem and constitutes an irreplaceable international treasure. Plan Bv7 takes the necessary steps to start reversing the damage caused by 50 years of regulation under the current plan.”
The letter of support was signed by: Alliance for the Great Lakes; APT Environment; Audubon New York; Buffalo Audubon Society; Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper; Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment; Coalition for a Nuclear Free Great Lakes; Don’t Waste Michigan; Environmental Advocates of New York; Freshwater Future; Genesee Valley Audubon Society; Great Lakes United; International Institute of Concern for Public Health; Izaac Walton League of America; National Wildlife Federation; The Nature Conservancy; New York; Lake Ontario Fisheries Coalition; Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Association; New York State Conservation Council; Quinte Watershed Cleanup Inc.; Sierra Club; Atlantic Chapter Great Lakes Committee; Save The River – Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper; Thousand Islands Land Trust; and, Welland Riverkeepers.
Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy’s Central and Western New York Chapter executive director, remarked, “These bodies of water are the source of drinking water and the foundation for the quality of life for millions of citizens in New York, Ontario, and Quebec. Plan Bv7 will improve these ecosystems while providing benefits to the region and the economy. The momentum in support of Plan Bv7 is building. We are excited that so many organizations feel the same way.”
In addition to supporting the plan, the coalition strongly encouraged the IJC to “engage the public in a full discussion of its merits, so that the benefits will become clear to the entire Lake Ontario -St. Lawrence River community. “
A copy of the letter is attached. More information on Plan Bv7 is available on web sites of Save The River and The Nature Conservancy. These newly created pages will provide continuous updates on the review and approval of Plan Bv7.
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About the US Groups Supporting the New Approach To Water Level Regulation:
Save The River and The Nature Conservancy represent over 17,000 homeowners living on the lake and river, business people, environmentalists, hunters, anglers and recreational users of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The groups have a combined 85 years of experience conserving and advocating for these bodies of water and the people who use them.
Save The River was formed in 1978 to protect and preserve the ecological integrity of the Upper St. Lawrence River through advocacy, education, and research.
About Plan Bv7:
Plan Bv7 has been formulated over the course of ten years with the input of more than 180 stakeholder representatives, experts, and scientists from government agencies, academia, NGO’s and industry in New York, Ontario, and Quebec.