Office of the County Executive Cheryl Dinolto County Executive Maj. General Mark Toy, IJC Commissioner US. Army Corps of Engineers. 550 Main Sireet Cincinnati, OH 45202 February 21, 2019 Dear Commissioner Toy: (Once again | write on behalf of Monroe County's residents and businesses located along the south shore of Lake Ontario, who are rightfully concerned about rising water levels in the lake and the St. Lawrence River Basin, ‘As you know, our communities along the south shore suffered devastating flooding throughout 2017 as a result of the record water levels allowed by the International Joint Commission during the preceding winter. The Commission's failure to take action to lower the waters in Lake Ontario during those winter months created a dangerous and unsustainable lake level, which simply could not be ameliorated that spring and summer. Unfortunately, with recent reports indicating that lake levels are again approaching the levels we experienced two winters ago, | am concerned that the Commission has not yet learned from the lessons of 2017. ‘Specifically, fear you are once again allowing the lake levels to rise with the ‘misguided hope that the spring season will be dry. My concem has only been. heightened since I read the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ recent assessment of the ‘current situation: ‘Tunderstand that people are concerned,” said Keith Koralewski, a hhydrologist with the Army Corps in Buffalo, who advises regulators on the lake level. "But we're in February. I's still too early to know what the weather's going to be like later this month and into March and Apri.” (Democrat and Chronicle, Feb. 20, 2019) Ironically, I belleve that rationale represents the precise reascn for concern ~ itis too early to know the amount of water that could fill or overfll the basin in the spring. Thatis why the IJC must act now to reduce lake levels and allow for spring, rrunoff to occur without threatening our south shore communities once again. ‘The Treaty of 1909 and Plan 2014 provide for the control ofthe flow of water throughout the St. Lawrence River Basin, and thereby the lake levels of Ontarto, to be determined by the International Joint Commission. We understand that the Commission must balance the varied interests of all parties impacted by lake levels, including shipping interests, hydropower interests, the downstream interests, the interest of property owners and businesses on the south shore, and others, 110 Couny Office Building» 39 West Main Streets Rochester, New York 14614 (585) 753-1000 ax (585) 753-1014 + wwew.monroecouny go» e-mail: eunyerecuhe@nionroecouny go"However, we are of the strong belief that the interests of south shore ‘communities have not been adequately protected in the Commission's ‘management of lake levels in the past. The residents and businesses along Lake Ontario in Monroe County should not be forced to again experience the devastation that was vistted upon them In 2017. Therefore, | add my voice to theirs ~ along with the thousands of taxpayers across Monroe County who wall ‘be harmed if we see the same level of damage again this year ~ in calling on the Commission to take immediate action to reduce the water level in Lake Ontario rnow, before we reach the wet spring season. hope you receive this request with the same urgency that I share in sending it. If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact ‘me directly, Sincerely, Chery Dinotio Monroe County Executive cps CC: Canada LIC Commissioner Dr. Genevieve Bechard Honorable Charles Schumer, United States Senate Honorable Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senate Honorable Joseph Morelle, United States House of Representatives Honorable Chris Collins, United States House of Representatives Honorable John Katko, United States House of Representatives Honorable Brian Higgins, United States House of Representatives Honorable Andrew Cuomo, New York State Governor