Ortt Sends Letter to D.C. Asking for Action on Lake Ontario

Today, Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I,Ref-North Tonawanda) was joined by 11 New York State Legislators in calling for the U.S. Senate to confirm President Trump’s three U.S. nominees to the International Joint Commission (IJC). In August of 2018, President Trump nominated three members to the IJC who are tasked with negotiating the water levels of the Great Lakes between the U.S. and Canada.

Ortt, who authored the letter, was joined by Sen. Rich Funke, Sen. Pamela A. Helming, Sen. Patty Ritchie, Sen. Joseph E. Robach, Assemblyman Peter Lawrence, Assemblyman Mark Johns, Assemblyman Brian Manktelow, Assemblyman William A. Barclay, Assemblyman Michael J. Norris, Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, and Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello in calling for Trump’s appointees to be confirmed so that preemptive safety measures preventing the flooding of Lake Ontario may be taken. Two years ago, properties of New York residents along Lake Ontario’s south shore were devastated by flooding due to a lack of proper water flow management and Plan 2014 implemented by the IJC.

“I call upon Senate Majority Leader McConnell to bring forth a vote on the Senate floor to confirm President Trump’s IJC appointees. We must give the appointees ample time to consider what precautionary steps can be taken and to implement preemptive safety measures to protect the homes and businesses along Lake Ontario’s south shore. We have seen the damage and devastation that can occur if Lake Ontario’s water flow is left singularly to Canadian representatives on the IJC.”

According to U.S. Army Corps data, Lake Ontario water levels are already higher than average and are currently on pace with levels seen in 2017.

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