U.S. Rep. John Katko came out swinging Wednesday at the International Joint Commission, blaming its Plan 2014 initiative for the repeated flooding along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Katko said in a statement that the high water levels are putting the region’s infrastructure and economy at significant risk. State of emergencies have been enacted in each shoreline county in Katko's congressional district — Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego — as well as neighboring Monroe County. 

“I have long opposed the IJC Plan 2014 and have repeatedly taken action since coming to Congress to try and roll back this devastating Obama-era action," Katko said. "Our communities simply cannot sustain high water levels and flooding year after year without mitigation action. I have consistently demanded leadership from the IJC in response to the serious damage caused by Plan 2014 and will continue to call for substantive action that addresses this serious threat to our community. I will continue to work to protect shoreline communities, residents, and businesses in any way possible.”

Numerous state and federal officials, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, have criticized the IJC and Plan 2014 for the high water levels.

Residents along the lake suffered similar flooding problems in the spring and summer of 2017.