Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (2:00 p.m. Eastern) 

Massena, N.Y.; Washington, D.C. 

The Advisory Board of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) 

convened on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) via teleconference. 

Representatives from both the SLSDC’s Washington, D.C. and Massena, N.Y. offices 

participated. 

The following individuals were in attendance during the meeting on behalf of the SLSDC: 

 Betty Sutton, SLSDC Administrator 

 David McMillan, SLSDC Advisory Board Chairperson 

 William Mielke, SLSDC Advisory Board Member 

 Wenona Singel, SLSDC Advisory Board Member 

 Dr. Arthur Sulzer, SLSDC Advisory Board Member 

 Nancy Alcalde, SLSDC Director of Congressional and Public Relations 

 Lori Curran, Director of Lock Operations and Marine Services 

 Tom Lavigne, SLSDC Associate Administrator 

 Carrie Mann Lavigne, SLSDC Chief Counsel 

 Craig Middlebrook, SLSDC Deputy Administrator 

 Kevin O’Malley, SLSDC Director of Budget and Economic Development 

 Adam Schlicht, SLSDC Great Lakes Regional Representative 

 Nancy Scott, SLSDC Director of Financial Management and Administration 

 Charles Wipperfurth, SLSDC Deputy Chief of Staff 

I. Call to Order 

In his capacity as Board Chairperson, David McMillan welcomed all participants to the Advisory 

Board meeting and, noting the presence of quorum, called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. 

II. Approval of the Minutes 

Approval of the minutes from the September 2015 meeting was motioned by SLSDC Advisory 

Board Member William Mielke and was seconded by Member Wenona Singel. Without 

objection, the motion passed unanimously, and the September 2015 meeting minutes of the 

SLSDC Advisory Board were approved as written. 

III. Quarterly Updates 

SLSDC Administrator Betty Sutton provided a quarterly update to the Advisory Board 

membership, including a general overview of SLSDC activities since the previous Advisory 

Board meeting. The Administrator noted that commercial trade on the Great Lakes – St. 

Lawrence Seaway (GLSLS) system is down approximately 10 percent through November 2015 

when compared to the previous year, noting that significant reductions in iron ore, coal, and steel 

products reflect steep declines in global consumption and pricing. An overview of U.S. 

Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx’ visit to the SLSDC’s operational 
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headquarters in Massena, N.Y. on October 20 was also discussed. In particular, the 

Administrator joined the Secretary at the Seaway Recognition and Appreciation Ceremony, 

honoring Seaway employees and other local emergency responders who assisted during the 

cruise ship St. Laurent incident at Eisenhower Lock. Budgetary highlights were offered by the 

Administrator, including an acknowledgment that the SLSDC had recently received its 52nd

consecutive clean audit for Fiscal Year 2015. 

The SLSDC’s outreach across the System was also discussed by the Administrator, who noted 

that the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership hosted its first state capitol day in Indianapolis in 

November 2015. The SLSDC remains extensively engaged in working with the International 

Joint Commission (IJC) on the Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Plan 2014 proposal. 

Administrator Sutton noted that SLSDC staff is heavily invested in the interagency process and 

have expressed support for tying Plan 2014 to the Order of Approval, ultimately requiring the 

IJC to coordinate with both the U.S. and Canadian governments on future changes. 

As part of the SLSDC’s nearly year-long Great Lakes Regional Initiative, the Administrator 

continues to promote the system, the Great Lakes region, and the SLSDC. Actions taken include 

presentation of Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Awards in conjunction with community and/or 

maritime press/media events. The SLSDC also co-sponsored the 11th annual Highway H2O 

Conference in Toronto in November, which was attended by over 150 attendees and remains one 

of the premier events for GLSLS stakeholders to network and understand global maritime trade 

dynamics. Administrator Sutton’s update concluded by noting several personnel updates, 

including the retirement of Sal Pisani as Associate Administrator, the selection of Tom Lavigne 

as the new Associate Administrator in Massena, and the selection of Chuck Wipperfurth as the 

SLSDC’s Deputy Chief of Staff. 

SLSDC Director of Lock Operations and Marine Services Lori Curran provided the next 

quarterly update, noting that the Seaway’s 2015 shipping season is expected to close the evening 

of December 30. No significant ice has been reported to-date, and the Seaway is optimistic about 

closing-related activities, including buoy decommissioning. Chairperson McMillan inquired 

about the Cornelia, a vessel currently anchored near the Port of Duluth in Lake Superior, and 

Mr. Middlebrook responded that the vessel was under ongoing investigation by the U.S. Coast 

Guard. 

A budgetary and financial update was provided by both SLSDC Director of Budget and 

Economic Development Kevin O’Malley and Chief Financial Officer Nancy Scott. Mr. 

O’Malley presented highlights of the SLSDC’s expected Fiscal Year 2016 and Fiscal Year 2017 

budgets, which included Asset Renewal Program (ARP) initiatives for Hands-Free Mooring and 

the replacement of the SLSDC tugboat Robinson Bay. Ms. Scott reaffirmed that the SLSDC 

recently completed its 52nd clean audit and a separate quality control audit in Fiscal Year 2015. 

Adam Schlicht, the SLSDC’s Great Lakes Regional Representative in Cleveland, Ohio, 

discussed the SLSDC’s ongoing trade and economic development initiatives. Highlights 

included increasing positive reception from Great Lakes stakeholders and thorough collaboration 

with the SLSMC. The HwyH2O Conference held in Toronto in November 2015 was one of the 

most successful ever, and both Corporations are preparing for Breakbulk Europe (Antwerp, May 

2016) and the HwyH2O Trade Mission (London/Dublin, September/October 2016). In 2016, Mr. 
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Schlicht concluded, the Initiative will also increase outreach to the U.S. grain industry as well as 

the freight forwarder industry based in Houston, Texas. 

Associate Administrator Tom Lavigne described ARP projects, including upgrading the lighting 

in the Eisenhower Lock highway tunnel to Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology, 

rehabilitating the Snell Lock miter gate machinery, replacing corroded stairways to the crossover 

galleries with fiber reinforced polymer units, and cutting slots and installing rails in the lock wall 

at Eisenhower Lock for installation of the Hands Free Mooring (HFM) units. The SLSDC is also 

continuing its efforts to resolve issues with the Ice Flushing System at Snell Lock. The SLSDC’s 

maintenance personnel are performing work in the gallery at Eisenhower Lock in preparation for 

the contractor’s work on the HFM slots this winter. Art Sulzer inquired about the SLSDC’s plans 

for the Robinson Bay replacement, and Mr. Middlebrook noted that Robert Allen Limited, a 

contractor, was assisting the SLSDC with the design. 

Deputy Administrator Mr. Middlebrook provided an environmental policy update, discussing the 

potential impact of the recent NRDC, et al. v. EPA decision on ballast water regulation on the 

Great Lakes. He also provided an update on the latest developments at the International Maritime 

Organization (IMO) and whether the Ballast Water Convention will come into effect this year or 

next. SLSDC Advisory Board Member Wenona Singel asked about the continuance of the 

Ballast Water Collaborative (BWC), and Mr. Middlebrook signified that the SLSDC is 

considering hosting another BWC meeting sometime in 2016. 

Nancy Alcalde, SLSDC Director of Congressional and Public Relations, provided a quarterly 

update and overview. Recent congressional proposals of significance include the Vessel 

Incidental Discharge Act, which has not yet been considered by the U.S. House of 

Representatives. However, new port performance metrics were enacted by Congress, and the 

SLSDC is expected to participate in a new industry working group created to establish a national, 

unified process for moving freight. Ms. Alcalde also provided an overview about recent meetings 

and speaking engagements conducted by the Administrator, most notably U.S. Secretary of 

Transportation Anthony Foxx’ recent visit to Massena, N.Y. to honor Seaway employees and 

local emergency responders. 

The final quarterly report was offered by SLSDC Chief Counsel Carrie Mann Lavigne, who 

presented the latest update on the International Joint Commission’s Water Regulation Plan 2014. 

Ms. Lavigne noted that the SLSDC’s primary concern is with deviations for commercial 

navigation. Finally, Ms. Lavigne noted that both the SLSDC and SLSMC are expected to publish 

its annual rule making and tariff rate proposal for 2016 in January. 

IV. Old and New Business 

Advisory Board member Art Sulzer recommended hosting the next Advisory Board quarterly 

meeting concurrent to the Great Lakes Waterways Conference in early February in Cleveland. 

Member Singel agreed, echoing that it is important for the SLSDC Advisory Board to make 

connections with industry representatives and further understand the operation of Great Lakes 

ports. Deputy Chief of Staff Chuck Wipperfurth promised to coordinate with the Advisory Board 

accordingly. 
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V. Closing Discussion and Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. (Eastern), with a motion to close from Mr. Mielke, as 

seconded by Mr. Sulzer. 

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