The spring of 2017 was bad and this spring was worse when it comes to flooding from extremely high water levels in Lake Ontario.
And as far as municipal leaders in the Quinte region are concerned it’s time the federal government takes some action, in particular, the International Joint Commission, the body that controls water flows in the great lakes,
Today (Tuesday) the mayors of Belleville, Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Brighton, and Napanee and the Warden of Hastings County presented demands in a joint statement at Quinte West’s city hall.
Flooding and continued high water levels have caused literally millions of dollars worth of property damage throughout the region, especially in Prince Edward County which has 500 kilometres of shoreline on Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte.
The mayors are demanding that the International Joint Commission immediately abandon its so called Plan 2014 and revert to Plan 1958, which had the effect of keeping water levels in the lakes lower.
More importantly, the mayors are demanding the IJC significantly lower water levels right away and keep them that way.
Right now, Lake Ontario is 21 inches higher than it usually is at this time of year and that could mean even worse, perhaps catastrophic, flooding this coming spring.
The mayors have given the IJC 14 days to respond with a real plan of action on water levels.
All the local leaders said it was important they work together to pressure the federal government to get serious about flooding and they are formally inviting all other municipalities along the lakeshore to get involved in the campaign.
All of them said the problem was one that was man-made and could be rectified if only the commission would pay attention.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk said everyone, and not just politicians, needs to confront local federal election candidates before the election and demand to know where they stand on the issue.
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson added that process will start tomorrow (Wednesday) evening as there’ll be an all candidates debate starting at 7 p.m. at the Regent Theatre.
The mayors also demanded immediate provincial and federal government funding for property owners to help remediate and protect their land from flooding.
The thinking behind Plan 2014 led to allowing higher water levels in order to replenish wetlands and to aid the the Great Lakes shipping industry.
About 30 people showed up to hear the mayors’ demands regarding water levels in Lake Ontario at Quinte West City Hall Tuesday, September 24/19. (Photo: Quinte News)
