The mayor of Quinte West is pleased with the increase in outflows to lower the level of Lake Ontario, but the mayor of Belleville, not so much.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison tells Quinte West he learned on Thursday that the International Joint Commission has increased the outflow at the Moses Saunders Dam in Cornwall to 10,700 cubic metres, which he thinks is the largest ever allowed.
Harrison calls it “a great move.”
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk calls it “too little too late.”
Panciuk tells Quinte News, “We’re very concerned about spring 2020 and what is ahead of us for the levels of Lake Ontario and the damage it could do to the city of Belleville. We appreciate the fact they have increased some of the outflows but it might be too little too late. We’re very concerned about dealing with it in 2020 and also what it means for future years.”
Panciuk says he’s concerned about the future management of Lake Ontario.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison (File photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Harrison says the move will help many people.
“What I’m hoping is that it will continue as long as it can (the increased outflow) before ice freezes, as the weather stays fairly good. It’s great for us, great for the shoreline, the cottages and boathouses. The timing is great, fantastic.”
