Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, R-Watertown, says he applauds the decision from the International Joint Commission (IJC) to deviate from Plan 2014 to maximize outflows along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence corridor.

The controversial plan has been blamed for higher water levels and recent years’ flooding along American shorelines. Just a few weeks ago, Walczyk led a coalition of state lawmakers and sent a letter to IJC Chairwoman Jane Corwin and Commissioners Robert Sission and Lance Yohe, calling for authority to deviate from Plan 2014 and an early closure of the shipping season along the Seaway, Walczyk’s office said.

“This is excellent news for the Front Yard of America, our economy, our environment and public safety,” Walczyk said in a prepared statement. “I’ve been proud to work with like-minded lawmakers to tackle this issue head on and our advocacy and perseverance have resulted in this decision, which is the right move to make. This proves to me the IJC is listening.”

“We lucked out this year when it comes to water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River and this news of authority to deviate from Plan 2014, should conditions change, is very encouraging, even though levels at this time are at the long term average,” said Tom Brown, US Member of the International Lake Ontario St. Lawrence River Board.