The International Joint Commission [1] that oversees the Great Lakes is about to announce its plans to regulate water levels in Lake Ontario, reports the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle [2]. The announcement will be made amidst a sea of controversy over the effects increased water levels will have on those who live, play or work along the lake's shoreline.

Several plans have been presented to the commission however the most controversial has been the plan titled "B+", which will attempt to restore natural regulation of water levels over a period of time. Many property owners fear any new regulations will increase threats of flooding and erosion creating economic hardships.

However, environmentalists claim that restoring more natural cyclical patterns to the lake will benefit wetlands, which have long suffered a loss of plant life that has dramatically affected the entire ecosystem in the area.

A decision, originally due in September, is now slated for release on March 28 via live Web conference.