Coalition Updates

St. Lawrence River one of most endangered in U.S.

American Rivers has released its annual list of the Most Endangered Rivers in the United States, and the section of the St. Lawrence River shared between Canada and the U.S. placed fourth worst.

“This ranking should be a wake-up call to all who care about the St. Lawrence River and the diversity of its plants, wildlife and fish. We must change the rules by which decisions are made as to how much water is allowed to flow through the hydro dam at Cornwall-Massena,” said John Jackson of Great Lakes United.

American Rivers points to the Moses-Saunders Dam near Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York as a key threat to the River. Built nearly 50 years ago, environmental considerations were not part of the planning process. As a result, the plan does not allow for the natural variability essential for a healthy river, but instead significantly limits the range of water level fluctuations.

“The environment of the St. Lawrence River is a vital part of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem, but so often is treated as an afterthought in water management plans,” said Jackson.

The International Joint Commission is currently reviewing the management plan for the dam and the way it will control river flow. Earlier this spring, the IJC recommended an option that would essentially maintain the status quo that has prevailed for the past half century.

Many environmental and conservation organizations within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region point to a different option – Plan B+ – as a better solution from the IJC’s recommendation. Proponents argue that this plan provides the best balance between the environment, navigation, and hydro power needs.

“Plan B+ is the only plan that will deliver a healthy Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River,” said Jennifer Caddick of Save The River. “It delivers environmental benefits by allowing the natural variability necessary for healthy wetlands, which has been lacking in the last 50 years of water levels management.”

On April 23 the government of Ontario announced their support of Plan B+. Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield said that the Ontario government believes that plan B+ “takes steps toward emulating the natural flow pattern of water flow and level variability that existed before the dam was built in the 1950s.” She also stated that they felt that Plan B+ better balances the needs of the other interests with the needs of the natural system than does the proposal put forward by the IJC.

The International Joint Commission is currently undergoing public consultation on their proposed plan. The consultation period ends on July 11.

Since the dam’s completion in 1958, the ecosystem of the St. Lawrence River has suffered substantial losses to its globally significant biodiversity due to unnatural and damaging water levels regulation. Water levels have been artificially constrained causing a loss of biodiversity in coastal wetlands and significant impacts to many fish species and nesting water birds.

The St. Lawrence River is vital to the high quality of life enjoyed by those who live along its banks and it is home to a rich diversity of fish and wildlife species. Yet, so long as an antiquated management plan remains in place, the vibrance of this ecosystem will continue to fade, with serious consequences for the people and animals who depend on the river.

© 2008 Great Lakes News.