Climate change has posed new challenges for water levels in the Great Lakes.A new plan that would change the way water levels are regulated on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River doesn't go far enough in protecting the Great Lakes, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle [1].

The International Joint Commission [2] released its Plan 2007 last week, contending that this particular option would best address all the interests and serve as a pathway for further protection of the lakes. But while Plan 2007 [3] gives immediate relief to property owners -- who are impacted by flooding and erosion -- the plan doesn't give fish access to spawning grounds and limits the natural variability necessary for wetland health.

Gov. David Paterson [4] sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice asking that the State Department encourage the commission to propose a more environmentally sensitive plan.