4 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2023 Continued from page 2 water have occurred several times before. The periods between 1949-1952 and 19821986 had higher rates of water level change than this most recent period of 2013-2019. In essence, the 2019–2020 high water years are not unusual, and the yearly averages are consistent with the historical record. At the GBA/GBF water level symposium, Erika Klyszejko, engineering advisor with the Canadian section of the International Joint Commission (IJC) advised that there are profound limits to what can be achieved because of the extreme fluctuations of Lake Michigan-Huron and attempts to alleviate conditions in one area are likely to affect others. The experts tell us that Lake Michigan-Huron water level variations cannot be controlled in a substantive way given the raw power of the natural system. The one control we have available, known as Plan 2012, was implemented by the IJC in 2015. It relies on existing control structures to provide improved regulation of outflows from Lake Superior in consideration of both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron, and provides modest benefits for commercial navigation, hydroelectric generation, and coastal zone interests under a broad range of water supply conditions. An important aspect of Plan 2012 is the provision of a more natural flow regime in the St. Marys River. There are many forces trying the exploit the lakes, but few organizations protect them. Clearly, the IJC has proven to be the most important organization as it considers all stakeholders and provides balanced decisions supported by science. With our current understanding of water level variations and management practice for the Upper Great Lakes, we have little choice but to accept continued water level fluctuations in Georgian Bay. Our best path forward is to adopt a practice of respecting the inconvenient character of water level change and accepting that lake levels are not ours to control. 1 Environment and Climate Change Canada. Future hydroclimate variables and lake levels for the Great Lakes using data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Gatineau, QC: Government of Canada; 2022. 83 p 2 Kayastha, M. B., Ye, X., Huang, C., Xue, P. (2022) Future rise of the Great Lakes water levels under climate change. Journal of Hydrology. 3 Lofgren, B. M., Quinn, F. H., Clites, A. H., Assel, R. A., Eberhardt, A. J., & Luukkonen, C. L. (2002). Evaluation of Potential Impacts on Great Lakes Water Resources Based on Climate Scenarios of Two GCMs. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 4 Angel, J., & Kunkel, K. (2010). The Response of Great Lakes Water Levels to Future Climate Scenarios with an Emphasis on Lake Michigan-Huron. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 5 Environmental Protection Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada. State of the Great Lakes 2022 Report. 2022. 40 p BOATING By Andrew Hurlbut, Chair, Boating, Safety, and Emergencies Committee GBA is thrilled to report that recent advocacy related to sound pollution that we and our member organizations have been involved in has seen some concrete results. In 2021, GBA members participated in the Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) “Your Lakes, Your Views” survey for the first time. The survey found that 95 per cent of nearly 6,000 respondents ranked “relaxing on the dock or near the water” as a “4” or a “5” (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 is a top priority), and 92 per cent rated “enjoying nature on the lake or by the shore” as equally important (bit.ly/SQLsurveyresults/). Loud boats were ranked as a major obstacle to enjoying these priority activities: 67 per cent of respondents want muffler laws enforced on power boats, and 67 per cent want decibel limits to be incorporated in the legislation. These views were consistent across Ontario. Where We Are Now Transport Canada consulted with industry and individual stakeholders, including a “Let’s Talk Transportation” consultation, which was completed May 13, 2022. Transport Canada received a very robust response and found that a large majority of respondents supported amending the Small Vessel Regulations. As a result, Transport Canada proposed to introduce the following changes: ≥ Manufacturers and importers of new pleasure craft must ensure vessels are compliant with ISO Standard 14509 for sound emitted from powered recreational craft that are manufactured, rebuilt, or imported into Canada after the amendment date. Now That’s the Sound of Progress: The Decibel Coalition Update
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