Meetings Will Present Findings On Upper Great Lakes Water Levels

Apr 3: Public advisors to a binational study of Great Lakes water levels announced that three public meetings will be held in Michigan this spring. The meetings are scheduled for Bay City on April 28; Port Huron on April 29; and Muskegon on May 3. In February two public meetings were held in the Detroit area [See WIMS 2/6/08].

At the meetings, experts from the International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) will present the latest scientific findings and provide current information about water levels. They will also briefly outline the structure and purpose of the Study and review a history of water level regulation in the Great Lakes. The presentation will stress the importance of public input to the Study process and the need for interested individuals and organizations from throughout the basin to participate. Attendees will have an extensive opportunity to present their views and ask questions.

The initial focus of IUGLS is whether possible physical changes in the St. Clair River are contributing to near record low levels in the upper Great Lakes. More broadly, the Study is examining whether regulation of outflows from Lake Superior might be improved to take into consideration changing climate and evolving interests of property owners, the environment, local governments, the shipping sector, and the recreation/tourism industry. IUGLS was launched by the International Joint Commission (IJC) of the U.S. and Canada in March of 2007. While the overall project has a five year timeline, a final report regarding the St. Clair River question is due in June of 2009. The study area includes lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie, and their interconnecting channels (St. Mary's River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River and Niagara River), up to Niagara Falls.

Access a release with details on the locations and times of the meetings (click here). Access the IUGLS website for details and further information (click here).