U.S. Reps. John Katko and Anthony Brindisi are calling on the International Joint Commission (IJC) to take action to prevent more flooding on the shores of Lake Ontario.

The Republican and Democratic congressmen sent a letter to IJC U.S. Chair Lana Pollack, requesting an immediate plan to mitigate flood risks for coastal committees, citing new concerns for flooding.

“According to measurements released by the International Lake Ontario – St. Lawrence River Board, lake levels currently stand 15 inches above the annual average for this time of year,” Katko and Brindisi wrote in the letter. “Forecasting from the Army Corps of Engineers projects that water levels will remain at this level, significantly raising the potential for severe flooding in the event of high precipitation or other exacerbating factors. Such an outcome would be unacceptable to the ecological, economic and general wellbeing of our constituents.”

Lake flooding in the spring of 2017 caused immense damage to properties and closed numerous boat launches and businesses well into the fall months.

“In addition to threatening the lives of families throughout the region, continued flooding would only cause further destruction and cripple communities that are already struggling to respond to existing damage,” wrote Katko and Brindisi.

Katko represents New York’s 24th Congressional District, which covers western Oswego, Cayuga and Wayne counties that border Lake Ontario. Brindisi’s 22nd District includes portions of eastern Oswego County.