Meeting With The Public International Lake Superior i l k i Board - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Meeting With The Public International Lake Superior i l k i Board of Control Call Call ‐ in (1 in (1 ‐ 877 877 ‐ 413 413 ‐ 4781 / 7368794# 4781 / 7368794# starting 2:45 PM starting 2:45 PM – 2:55 PM EDT) starting 2:45 PM starting 2:45 PM 2:55 PM EDT) 2:55 PM EDT) 2:55 PM EDT) International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 1

Meeting Outline Meeting Outline • Welcome • Welcome • Presentation • Teleconference to share thoughts among T l f t h th ht callers • Participants identify and discuss local P ti i t id tif d di l l water issues • Further Questions, evaluation, and F th Q ti l ti d closing International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 2

Presentation Outline • The International Joint Commission (IJC) • The International Lake Superior Board of Control (ILSBC) • Lake Superior outflow regulation • Current (and forecasted) levels and issues Current (and forecasted) levels and issues • International Upper Great Lakes Study International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 3

IJC Responsibilities • Independent organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 • Operates from the Alaska ‐ Yukon border to • Operates from the Alaska ‐ Yukon border to the Atlantic Coast • Prevents and resolves disputes over shared water • Seeks consensus and greater good of both countries countries International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 4

IJC Responsibilities (cont’d) IJC Responsibilities (cont’d) • Authorizes and supervises operations of • Authorizes and supervises operations of projects affecting flows and levels in boundary waters boundary waters • Issues Orders of Approval to implement decisions decisions • Conducts studies for Governments International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 5

International Joint Commission 3 U.S. & 3 Canadian 3 U.S. & 3 Canadian Commissioners U.S. Staff Canadian Staff International International International Niagara Board Lake Superior St. Lawrence River of Control of Control Board of Control Board of Control Board of Control Board of Control International Great Lakes Air Quality Advisory Air Quality Advisory Water Quality Water Quality Board Board International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 6

Orders of Approval • Issued in 1914 for hydropower development in the St. Marys River in the U.S. and Canada in the St. Marys River in the U.S. and Canada • Specify method of determining and allocating Lake Superior outflows k i fl • Protect interests in both countries affected by Protect interests in both countries affected by changes in water levels and flows • Established the International Lake Superior E bli h d h I i l L k S i Board of Control International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 7

Updated Orders of Approval (1979) Updated Orders of Approval (1979) • Maintain Lake Superior levels between 182 76 • Maintain Lake Superior levels between 182.76 to 183.86 m (599.6 to 603.2 ft) • Attempt to balance levels of Lake Superior • Attempt to balance levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan ‐ Huron • If Lake Superior’s level is below 183.4 m If L k S i ’ l l i b l 183 4 (601.7 ft), do not release more than “pre ‐ project” flow j ” fl International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 8

United States Canada Board Members BG Margaret W. Burcham Jaymie Gadal Alt: COL Bob Peterson Board Secretaries Board Secretaries John Kangas Rob Caldwell Regulation Representatives g p LTC Rob Ells Jacob Bruxer Board members and staff serve in a personal and professional capacity and are not representatives of their employers. International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 9

Board Responsibilities Board Responsibilities • Set Lake Superior outflows and allocate water • Set Lake Superior outflows and allocate water to fisheries, navigation, and hydropower monthly monthly • Oversee all control works • Assure accurate reporting of outflows A i f fl • Communicate with stakeholders • Authorize ponding by hydropower • Special studies Special studies International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 10

Lake Superior Outflow Regulation Lake Superior Outflow Regulation • Outflows are set monthly according to an IJC ‐ • Outflows are set monthly according to an IJC approved Regulation Plan • First Regulation Plan developed in 1916 • First Regulation Plan developed in 1916 • Plan 1977 ‐ A: Current Regulation Plan – Considers levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan ‐ Huron – In use since 1990 International Lake Superior Board of Control 21 August 2013 11

Regulation Plan 1977-A Control Works Control Works Lake Superior Lake Superior Water Level Water Level + + Mean Mean Scale e Scale Scale Scale - - Release More Water Release More Water Release Less Water Release Less Water 21 August 2013 12

St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie Looking East (Downstream) Looking East (Downstream) Sault Ste. Marie, Sugar Island Ontario Cloverland Electric Co. Brookfield Renewable Power Fishery Remedial Sault Ste. Marie, Works Canadian Lock Michigan Michigan US Gov’t Soo Locks Power Plant Compensating Works Compensating Works St. Marys River 21 August 2013 13

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Great Lakes Water Supplies (Factors Affecting Water Levels) N Net Basin Supply B i S l ation tion f Runoff Precipita Evapora Inflow from Upstream E P Lake Outflow 21 August 2013 16

Lake Superior Outflows 4,000 3,500 3,000 2,500 ow (m 3 /s) 2,000 Outflo 1,500 1 000 1,000 500 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month 2011 2012 2013 Average Max Min Preliminary 21 August 2013 17

Lake Superior Precipitation 2.00 1.50 s) 1.00 verage (inche 0.50 0.00 0 00 viation from a -0.50 Dev -1.00 -1.50 -2.00 Month 21 August 2013 18

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Study of Gate Movement Rate Limits Study of Gate Movement Rate Limits • International Watersheds Initiative funding • Following up on recommendation from IUGLS F ll i d ti f IUGLS • Establish field ‐ verified limits to Compensating W Works gate movement rates k t t t • Goal: prevent harm to fish in the St. Marys Rapids due to stranding, flushing of fry, etc. d t t di fl hi f f t • Field data collection scheduled for Fall 2013; analysis to follow l i t f ll 21 August 2013 21

Update to Lake Superior Regulation • International Upper Great Lakes Study I t ti l U G t L k St d – Completed in March 2012 – Evaluated options to improve rules and criteria Evaluated options to improve rules and criteria governing Lake Superior regulation – Recommended adoption of Plan 2012 • IJC public hearings (2012) showed support for Plan 2012 • Implementation of Regulation Plan 2012 – IJC advised the public and governments in April 2013 that we will implement Plan 2012 h ll l l – IJC is updating its Order of approval – Board staff currently preparing for implementation Board staff currently preparing for implementation Check www.ijc.org for more info 22

Comments and Questions? 21 August 2013 23