Notice2022-18503
International Joint Commission Invites Public Comment on Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Flood Study Final Report
Primary source
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Published
August 29, 2022
Issuing agencies
State Department
Abstract
The International Joint Commission (IJC) announced today that it is inviting public comment on the final report of its International Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board's (LCRRSB) Flood Study Final Report. The study explores the causes, impacts, risks, and solutions for flooding in Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River. Comments will be accepted at public hearings, webinars, and by mail, email and on- line through September 30, 2022. The LCRRSB's full report can be found on the IJC website at: www.ijc.org/lcrr.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 166 (Monday, August 29, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52833-52834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18503]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice: 11839]
International Joint Commission Invites Public Comment on Lake
Champlain-Richelieu River Flood Study Final Report
ACTION: Notice of public hearing on Lake Champlain-Richelieu River
Flood Study Final Report.
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SUMMARY: The International Joint Commission (IJC) announced today that
it is inviting public comment on the final report of its International
Lake Champlain-Richelieu River Study Board's (LCRRSB) Flood Study Final
Report. The study explores the causes, impacts, risks, and solutions
for flooding in Lake Champlain and the Richelieu River. Comments will
be accepted at public hearings, webinars, and by mail, email and on-
line through September 30, 2022. The LCRRSB's full report can be found
on the IJC website at: <a href="http://www.ijc.org/lcrr">www.ijc.org/lcrr</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Chiasson (Ottawa) (613) 293-
1031 at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#07646f756e74736e696629646f6e6674746869473b66276f7562613a" http: ijc.org">ijc.org</a>">christina.chiasson@<a href="http://ijc.org">ijc.org</a></a> or Kevin Bunch (Washington, DC)
(202) 632-2014 at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cba0aebda2a5e5a9bea5a8a38bf7aaeba3b9aeadf6" http: ijc.org">ijc.org</a>">kevin.bunch@<a href="http://ijc.org">ijc.org</a></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
September 7-8, 2022, Public Hearings on LCRRSB's Flood Study Final
Report
Date: September 7, 2022.
Time: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. EST.
Location: Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Auditorium Vanier, 15
Rue Jacques-Cartier Nord, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Date: September 8, 2022.
Time: 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. EST.
Location: Hotel Vermont, Juniper Room, 41 Cherry St. Burlington,
Vermont.
The International Joint Commission will receive comments in person
at the public hearings. Public input is essential to the Commission's
consideration of potential recommendations to the Governments of the
United States and Canada.
For more information on the upcoming virtual webinars, visit
<a href="http://www.ijc.org/lcrr">www.ijc.org/lcrr</a>.
The LCRRSB study findings and recommendations cover four key
themes:
<bullet> Reduction in water levels via structural mitigation measures
<bullet> Effects on impeding flows during floods of existing and
additional wetlands in the basin
<bullet> Enhancements to flood forecasting and flood response in the
basin
<bullet> Floodplain management best practices and lessons learned in
other watersheds
The LCRRSB was established by the IJC in 2016 to assist in
responding to a reference by the governments of the United States and
Canada under Article IX of the Boundary Waters Treaty. The reference
was precipitated by major flooding in the Lake Champlain-Richelieu
River basin in 2011. The basin forms in the United States between New
York and Vermont, with much of Lake Champlain forming a border between
the two states. The northern part of Lake Champlain crosses into
Quebec, where it flows into the Richelieu River. The Richelieu River in
turn joins with the St. Lawrence River near Montr[eacute]al and
continues flowing east to the Atlantic Ocean.
The governments requested the IJC to coordinate the full completion
of Option B under the under the 2013 IJC Plan of Study. As part of this
reference, the IJC was asked to evaluate the causes and impacts of the
2011 flooding, and to make recommendations to mitigate future flood
risks in the basin.
IJC recommendations to the two federal governments under Article IX
of the Boundary Waters Treaty are not binding and not to be considered
decisions of the two governments.
The main study recommendations include:
1. That selective excavation of the riverbed near Saint-Jean-sur-
Richelieu, Quebec combined with the construction of a submerged weir
would reduce high water levels during floods and would have the added
benefit of raising water levels on Lake Champlain during dry years. A
moderate diversion of high flows through the Chambly Canal could also
be considered for additional flood-reduction benefits.
2. The preservation of existing wetland areas, which can minimize
water levels during floods while also stabilizing water levels during
droughts in the basin.
3. The governments are encouraged to operationalize the improved
modeling and forecasting tools and coherent risk assessment systems and
support/maintain them after the Study. The agencies responsible for
flood forecasting in the basin should continue collaboration and make
available forecasting data so that forecasts on both sides of the
border are of the highest possible quality and are accompanied by a
concerted and consistent cross-border interpretation.
4. Improving floodplain mapping for the use of emergency managers
and enhancing communication campaigns
[[Page 52834]]
around flood risk in the basin. The Board also recommended that
jurisdictions in the basin review their floodplain management policies
through the lens of making these areas more resilient for possible
future floods.
The full study board report and recommendations can be found at
<a href="http://www.ijc.org/lcrr">www.ijc.org/lcrr</a>.
The International Joint Commission was established under the
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help the United States and Canada
prevent and resolve disputes over the use of the waters the two
countries share. The Commission's responsibilities include
investigating and reporting on issues of concern when asked by the
governments of the two countries. For more information, visit the IJC
website at <a href="http://ijc.org">ijc.org</a>.
Susan E. Daniel,
Secretary, U.S. Section, International Joint Commission, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 2022-18503 Filed 8-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-14-P
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