5/20/2015 Katko hosts meeting between Wayne County leaders, Obama administration officials on Plan 2014
Katko hosts meeting between Wayne County leaders, Obama administration officials on Plan 2014
MAY 15, 2015 6:30 AM • ROBERT HARDING | [email protected] A proposed plan to manage Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River water levels was the subject of a meeting earlier this week between Wayne County officials and representatives from the White House and State Department.
U.S. Rep. John Katko, who hosted the meeting at his Washington D.C. office, said elected officials from Wayne County voiced their concerns about the International Joint Commission's Plan 2014.
Plan 2014 has its share of supporters and detractors. Supporters of the proposal say it is necessary because the current water management plan is outdated, while opponents, including Katko, RCamillus, believe it would harm the Lake Ontario shoreline and lower property values.
"While I recognize the value of preserving our natural resources and supporting conservation measures, it is critical that we have a full and open dialogue on the potential impact the IJC's proposal could have on the Wayne County shoreline, as well as local tourism, recreation, business and agriculture."
At the meeting earlier this week, Katko was joined by five elected leaders from Wayne County, including Wayne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Hoffman. Representatives from the State Department and White House Council on Environmental Quality also participated in the discussion.
Hoffman said the meeting allowed Wayne County officials to voice their concerns about Plan 2014 and how it would impact their communities.
"Plan 2014 proposes regulations that would allow water levels in Lake Ontario to fluctuate outside the parameters that have been in place for decades," he said. "This could cause the loss of shoreline, erosion damage to property and flooding in the lakefront areas of Wayne County."
Wayne County leaders against Plan 2014 have found an advocate in Katko, who first came out against the proposal during last year's 24th Congressional District race.
In March, Katko and U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, a western New York Republican, sent a letter to leaders of a House Appropriations subcommittee urging them to include language in the State, Foreign Operations and related programs bill preventing federal funding from http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/katkohostsmeetingbetweenwaynecountyleadersobamaadministrationofficials/article_f166defefa4311e4b76f73… 1/2 5/20/2015 Katko hosts meeting between Wayne County leaders, Obama administration officials on Plan 2014 being used to implement Plan 2014.
Plan 2014 does have support from other members of Congress, including U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffaloarea Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a North Country Republican. And businesses are also on board with the proposal, including Skaneateles Falls based Welch Allyn.
Welch Allyn President and CEO Stephen Meyer has said Plan 2014 is a "balanced approach to restoring the health of a great lake."
The U.S. and Canadian governments must approve Plan 2014 before the water management strategy is implemented. The State Department is in the process of reviewing the proposal.
There's no timetable for when the the review will be completed.
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