GLIN==> Public Meetings on Great Lakes Water Levels to be held in MN, ON and WI

More information, contact John Nevin: 202-256-1368

Public advisors to the International Upper Great Lakes Study -- a binational study of Great Lakes water levels -- announced today that four public meetings will be held in Minnesota, Ontario and Wisconsin the week of June 16^th:

Monday June 16

7-9 p.m., Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, Minnesota

Tuesday, June 17

7-9 p.m., Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thursday, June 19

7-9 p.m., Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Friday, June 20

7-9 p.m., Barth Hall, Concordia University, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, Wisconsin

At these meetings, experts from the International Upper Great Lakes Study (IUGLS) will present the latest scientific findings and provide current information about water levels. They will also briefly outline the structure and purpose of the Study and review a history of water level regulation in the Great Lakes. The presentation will stress the importance of public input to the Study process and the need for interested individuals and organizations from throughout the basin to participate. Attendees will have an extensive opportunity to present their views and ask questions.

The initial focus of IUGLS is whether possible physical changes in the St. Clair River are contributing to near record low levels in the upper Great Lakes. More broadly, the Study is examining whether regulation of outflows from Lake Superior might be improved to take into consideration changing climate and evolving interests of property owners, the environment, local governments, the shipping sector, and the recreation/tourism industry. IUGLS was launched by the International Joint Commission of the U.S. and Canada in March of 2007. While the overall project has a five year timeline, a final report regarding the St. Clair River question is due in June of 2009.

More information, including maps to meeting sites, is available at www.iugls.org.