It's been more than a decade since the International Joint Commission conducted a study to come up with a new plan for water levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Now it appears the decision is just days away. But as our Brian Dwyer reports, no major decision like this comes without some controversy.

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CLAYTON, N.Y. -- Hundreds of people from Northern New York took part in a public hearing back in 2008 in Alexandria Bay. They were speaking out on what would be the first new water level plan for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence in more than 50 years.

"It's seen by many as a plan that's pretty good," New York Sea Grant's Dave White said of the 1958 plan. "Obviously some environmental issues, obviously some concerns by riparians and boaters and others. That's why the new plan is being looked at to really try and accommodate all the user groups."

The International Joint Commission hosting those hearings in 2008 trying to push a plan called 2007D. But it became quickly apparent the North Country wanted nothing to do with it, most saying it would destroy the ecosystem.

And now just days before it's set to release its new choice, word has come out the IJC now favors a more environmentally friendly plan.

"Back in 2007-2008, we were not pleased with what the IJC was putting forward and they did. They listened to community input and we greatly appreciate that," Save the River Executive Director Jennifer Caddick said.

The expected new choice will be called Plan BV7, a variation of the widely publicized Plan B+ that was what the North County wanted four years ago.

"What that does is just try to restore the flow to a more natural regime, more like what mother nature intended," Caddick added about the new plan she was introduced to in the fall. "It would slightly raise the water levels at certain times throughout the year to allow fish and other animals access to important wetland areas."

But not everyone is thrilled. A group based in Western New York, L.O.R.A., the Lake Ontario Riparian Alliance, says the higher levels with BV7 will cause millions of dollars in erosion damage to property owners. It's already preparing to fight against it.

Dave White says no matter what side of the fence you sit, you need to read the plan in full when it's released and then let the IJC know what you think.

"Getting involved now and being able to provide that input by talking about the mitigation measures that have to put in place for some of the user groups and talking about the adaptive management that may have to occur as we move forward with concerns about whether anomalies happen like we're having this year and other issues are really going to be critically important," he said.

The IJC is expected to host public hearings on the plan in the early part of spring.

White says reading the plan in full is especially important for those who spend their winters out of state because its likely news of the exact details announcement won't easily reach that far south.