In Virtual Meeting with IJC, Rep. Katko Brings Attention to Sustained Lake Ontario Flood Risks, Pushes for Stronger Flood Mitigation & Costal Resiliency Efforts

SYRACUSE, NY— In a virtual meeting with Jane Corwin, Chair and Commissioner of the U.S. Section, International Joint Commission (IJC), U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) today raised awareness of the dire threat that further flooding poses to Lake Ontario’s shoreline communities and discussed the agency’s plans to mitigate flooding in 2021. 

With inflows from the rest of the Great Lakes system expected to remain high into the spring, Lake Ontario’s southern shoreline continues to face the threat of sustained high-water levels and costly flooding. During this virtual meeting, Rep. Katko urged the IJC to remain responsive to the needs of shoreline communities in the months ahead, many of which have already faced catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure as a result of flooding in 2017 and 2019. Additionally, Rep. Katko emphasized the importance of coordinating with the Canadian government to bolster coastal resiliency efforts throughout the region. 

“Today, I spoke with the IJC to sound the alarm on the continued threat flooding poses to communities across Lake Ontario and to discuss their flood mitigation plans for 2021,” said Rep. Katko. “With water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie all above historic averages, significant inflows from those lakes has the potential to exacerbate hazardous conditions on Lake Ontario. I’m continuing to urge the IJC to prioritize the needs of coastal communities in their water level management strategies and requesting that they work closely with our Canadian partners to help move necessary coastal resiliency efforts forward. I remain resolute in my belief that Plan 2014 is not working for our shorelines and that water level management procedures must be reformed to prioritize the needs of our riparian communities.”

Rep. Katko has long fought to protect Lake Ontario shoreline communities from flooding. Most recently he led a successful effort to push the IJC to deviate from water level management procedures under Plan 2014.. Rep. Katko has also introduced legislation that would remove the IJC’s immunity from lawsuits, allowing impacted shoreline communities to take legal action against the Commission for flooding damages.

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