Transcript CLIMATE CHANGE AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON GREAT …

CLIMATE CHANGE AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON
GREAT LAKES WATER LEVELS
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Chicago, Illinois
March 30, 2001
Presentation By:
Wayne A. Smith
Vice-President & General Manager
SEAWAY MARINE TRANSPORT
WHO ARE WE AND WHY ARE WE HERE?
• Largest fleet operating on Great Lakes/ St. Lawrence Waterway
(43 vessels).
• Over 1 million tonnes single voyage cargo capacity
• Over 45 million tonnes cargo carried in 2000
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27% coal
26% iron ore
21% aggregate
9% grain
9% salt
8% other
WHERE DO WE OPERATE?
GREAT LAKES/ ST. LAWRENCE WATERWAY PROFILE
REGULATION OF GREAT LAKES/ ST.
LAWRENCE WATER LEVELS
• Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909
• International Joint Commission
– International Boards of Control
• Superior
• Niagara
• St. Lawrence River
• Lake Ontario Regulation Plan
– Maintain adequate water flows for
• Hydro power production
• sufficient depths and acceptable current velocity for navigation
• protection of shoreline from flooding
LAKE ONTARIO REGULATION PLAN 1958-D
• Designed using 1860-1954 Water Supplies for Lake Ontario
• Specifies weekly outflows based on Lake Ontario levels, trends in
water supplies and conditions in St. Lawrence River
• Flow specified by regulation plan is released unless:
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Board directs specific regulation strategy
dictated by ice conditions in St. Lawrence River
changes needed to reduce flooding (e.g. Ottawa R freshnet)
emergencies, for example ship grounding
WHAT'S NEW REGARDING LAKE ONTARIO AND
ST. LAWRENCE RIVER WATER LEVEL REGULATION
• Studies are presently underway to assess the feasibility of deepening
vessel operating drafts in the St. Lawrence Seaway from 26'3" to 26'6"
• Canada and the United States have agreed to initial funding of a
proposed $20 million, five-year study by the IOC to review the
regulation of Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River levels and flows
DEEPENING THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY
On-the-fly vessel squat measurement study
• The field data was collected for 33 ship transits between St. Lambert
lock and Lower Beauharnois lock, and 4 ship transits were tested
between Upper Beauharnois Lock and Iroquois Lock to validate the
model developed for the lower area to the upper area.
• Actual vessel squat measurement testing was completed November 14,
2000.
• Based on field testing, vessels operating is expected, therefore no
increases can be made to operating drafts until the final model is
completed.
REVIEW OF LAKE ONTARIO AND ST. LAWRENCE
RIVER LEVELS AND FLOWS
• First comprehensive assessment of water levels and flows regulation of
Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River system in nearly 50 years.
• Objectives include a review of concerns about the present system of
regulation of Lake Ontario outflows, environmental concerns and
climate change issues.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROTECT MARINE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM?
• Studies have shown that marine transportation is the most
environmentally friendly and safest of all transportation modes (1993 Great Lakes Commission)
• Later studies continue to show the environmental advantages of marine
transportation
THERE IS AVAILABLE LOW COST MARINE
INFRASTRUCTURE
• In the late 1970's about 65% more cargo was shipped through the St.
Lawrence Seaway
• The Canadian bulker fleet, used primarily to carry grain and iron ore,
has a summer utilization rate of close to 50%
WE NEED GOVERNMENTS TO DIRECT COMPREHENSIVE
POLICY INITIATIVES THAT RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF
MARINE TRANSPORTATION
• There continue to be gains made by rail and truck moving cargoes off
the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, despite the higher cost of
infrastructure, safety and pollution
• Government's must address this situation to ensure there is a level
playing field between modes and through policies which recognize the
advantages of marine transportation over other modes, and support the
greater use of the marine transportation system
• The Association of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Mayors have
endorsed this plan and have called on governments to help support a
healthy marine transportation industry