REP. KATKO ELEVATES DISCUSSION ON PLAN 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24), earlier this week held a meeting in his Washington, D.C. office with Wayne County lawmakers and representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the White House Council on Environmental Quality to discuss the potentially devastating impact the International Joint Commission (IJC) Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Plan, also known as Plan 2014, could have on the Wayne County shoreline and economy.

“It was my pleasure to facilitate this important meeting to elevate the discussion on Plan 2014,” said Rep. Katko. “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.”

Katko was joined by Wayne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Hoffman, Town of Wolcott Supervisor Kim Park, Town of Sodus Supervisor Steve LeRoy, Town of Huron Supervisor Laurie Crane, and Mayor of Sodus Point, Chris Tertinek. 

“Plan 2014 proposes regulations that would allow water levels in Lake Ontario to fluctuate outside the parameters that have been in place for decades.  This could cause the loss of shoreline, erosion damage to property, and flooding in the lakefront areas of Wayne County,” said Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors Jim Hoffman.  “At our meeting in Washington, we were able to make these points directly to some of the major stakeholders.   I speak for the Board of Supervisors when I say we are truly appreciative of Rep. Katko’s interest in this important local issue.”

“We are very pleased with the strong role Rep. Katko has taken in making sure that the IJC’s Plan 2014 is carefully weighed,” said Town of Wolcott Supervisor Kim Park. “Plan 2014 could put Wayne County homeowners along the shoreline at risk to suffer millions of dollars of damage, and it is important that we continue this open dialogue going forward.”

Plan 2014 would increase the frequency by which Lake Ontario’s water levels are raised and lowered.  This has the potential to cause substantial damage to the Lake’s south shoreline, which houses hundreds of businesses and residences.  The plan would also raise the current maximum water levels by 2.4 inches and increase the annual cost of shoreline maintenance and protections by 13 percent.  These water level changes threaten the economic activities of hundreds of communities, residents, businesses, and farms.

Katko has continuously expressed the need for more thorough, objective research on the effect of Plan 2014.  Earlier this Congress, he joined Rep. Chris Collins (NY-27) in writing to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, to call on Congress to prevent the use of federal funding to implement Plan 2014 for the 2016 Fiscal Year.

Attached is a photo that was taken following the meeting. 

Congressman John Katko represents the 24th Congressional District, which includes all of Onondaga, Cayuga, and Wayne Counties and a portion of Oswego County.  For more information, please visit https://katko.house.gov or www.facebook.com/RepJohnKatko.

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