Less than a week after the International Joint Commission released its new proposal to regulate water levels and flow along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, community members were able to hear first hand what it meant for their community and the environment. Our Amanda Kelley reports.

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CLAYTON, N.Y. - -A packed room at the Clayton Opera House listened intently as representatives from the International Joint Commission explained in detail what their newly released water flow plan means for river communities. One that's been needed for a long time.

International Joint Commission Public Affairs Officer Frank Bevacqua said, "The plan is out of date, and we're not prepared for future challenges. And it also has severely impacted one of the interests and that's the environment."

Save the River Executive Director Jennifer Caddick said, "It sort of for the first time takes the environment into consideration along with all of the other user groups that use this huge system, from hydro power to shipping to recreational boaters, and it puts the environment sort of at the same level at the table with all of those user groups."

The plan BV7 would allow greater fluctuation of water flows on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, helping to restore wetlands that have been negatively impacted by old regulations. And it's one Jefferson County's Legislature plans to endorse later this year.

Jefferson County Legislator Michael Docteur said, "By extending the seasons in both the spring and the fall for boaters not only opens up greater recreation opportunities for boaters, but also certainly provides a greater economic conditions for everyone along the river."

Meanwhile property owners in Western New York strongly oppose the plan, saying it will cause erosion. Something the IJC disagrees with.

Bevacqua said, "The main impact for them is that they will have to maintain their shore protection structures, these are seawalls and stone revetments and the like. These generally have to be maintained anyway, but they'll have to be maintained a bit more frequently under the new plan."

Save the River and the IJC encourage everyone to review the plan and provide input at the public meetings that will be held throughout the U-S and Canada before a final decision is made.

The entire presentation and discussion with the IJC Saturday will be available online early next week. You can view the video at www.savetheriver.org.