FINAL REPORT - International Joint Commission

The obvious question is, where will the additional resources come from, or will Environment Canada and
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just take over these responsibilities? For long-term planning, the
International Joint Commission might wish to explore the possibility of receiving tax revenues from water
users, in a manner similar to the way in which water management districts are funded in Florida. After all,
one could argue that the cost of implementing policies that increase both economic as well as environmental
and ecological benefits to stakeholders should be reimbursed by taxing those stakeholders in some way.
This could apply to the entire Great Lakes–St. Lawrence system, or indeed the entire waters over which the
International Joint Commission has management responsibilities.
FINAL REPORT
Agency Linkages
During the course of the Study, numerous advances in data collection occurred and several state-of-the-art
models were developed. The vast amount of information collected and the tools created to use and
analyze this information helped to define the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system to an extent never
before achieved. With the completion of the Study, the models and information can now be used to track
the performance of the selected plan option. In addition to this tracking by the International Joint
Commission and the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control using the operational plan, it will
also be possible for others to benefit from this knowledge. Additional information about Study data and
research is described in the previous section of this report entitled “New Information and Science.”
Coastal Data, the Flood and Erosion Prediction System and the St. Lawrence River Model
In the early stages of the Study, it was determined that mapping of the near-shore zone, both the land side
(topographic mapping) and the underwater portion (bathymetric mapping), was critical to providing the
information needed for technical groups evaluating flooding, erosion and low water level impacts, for
assessing the impacts of water levels on wetland and environmental health and sustainability, and for
assessing water level impacts on private and public shore properties, municipal water intakes and outflows,
and recreational boating facilities.
Using airborne laser mapping systems, aerial photography and orthoimagery, and existing agency maps, a
shoreline classification and digital elevation model were developed. Through the cooperation of municipal,
state and provincial agencies, all U.S. property parcels and most Canadian parcels have been identified.
Detailed information is available regarding the erosion and flooding potential by shoreline kilometre.
The information is linked to a flood and erosion prediction system which contains water level and wind
generated wave data that can be used to determine how each kilometer of shoreline will respond to various
hydrologic conditions around Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River.
Information about the shoreline and parcel data is available on the Study website (www.losl.org). The flood
and erosion prediction system will reside at the Buffalo District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The information and model could be used to assist that office with its issuance of general and individual
permits, compliance inspections, and resolution of unauthorized activities. The information can also be
used by other agencies associated with permit actions, such as the New York State Departments of State
and Environmental Conservation.
The data and model have the potential to be used as an information and planning tool by other federal,
provincial and state agencies regarding best shoreline management practices.
A model referred to as the St. Lawrence River Model calculates impacts of erosion and shore protection
maintenance on the lower St. Lawrence River coastal interests and will also be available for future studies.
On the lower St. Lawrence River, a detailed shoreline digital elevation model and parcel database was
compiled and has the potential for use in other applications. This is housed with Environment Canada
in Quebec.
Options for Managing Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Water Levels and Flows
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