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| Senator Libous (right) discusses the proposed improvements shown on the diagram with Ken Lynch (far left), Barbara Fiala, and Ronald Keibel |
The lake at Whitney Point in Dorchester Park, Broome County, glimmered in the background as New York State Senator Thomas Libous announced that $2 million in state funding has been secured for the Whitney Point Lake Environmental Restoration Project. Joining the senator at this September 27 event were state Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, County Executive Barbara Fiala, County Legislator Ronald Keibel and SRBC's New York Alternate Commissioner Kenneth Lynch (Director, Region 7, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation).
The $2 million funding, which represents the local share of the cost to modify the Whitney Point Lake, marks a key milestone in the 6-year long effort led by SRBC to adopt new operations at the lake for environmental restoration purposes, while at the same time providing significant recreational and economic enhancements for the region. To support the enhancements, the 7-foot winter drawdowns will cease, and the current summer lake level will be maintained year-round.
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| Assemblyman Crouch speaks to the recreational benefits. |
Senator Libous said, "This project is great news for recreational users of the Whitney Point Lake. Not only are we going to improve the facilities at Dorchester Park, but we're protecting the wildlife downstream by designating water storage in the lake that can be released during times of drought."
During low flow periods, the aquatic ecosystem in the
waterways of the
Susquehanna River Basin becomes stressed. The Whitney Point Lake Environmental
Restoration Project would provide for releases from the lake at such times,
ranging from 32.5 to 65 million gallons per day, to benefit the aquatic habitat
downstream. The rivers receiving the benefits are (in downstream order):
Otselic River (small portion), Tioughnioga River, Chenango
River and
Susquehanna River.
With sporadic rainfall and diminishing streamflow evident throughout this past summer, it was easy for SRBC Alternate Commissioner Lynch to put into context the expected benefits from this project. "During a 40-day period this August and September, had this modification project been in place, more than 1.6 billion gallons of water, or an average of 40 million gallons per day, would have been released from Whitney Point Lake to enhance streamflows."
Assemblyman Crouch said, "The designated environmental releases from the lake will improve conditions for fish and plant life, as well. I am proud that we in the state legislature were able to secure this crucial funding, and I look forward to the completion of the project."
The benefits to the park's recreational facilities will include:
- upgraded water treatment, water distribution and waste treatment facilities;
- improved and modified beaches, swim areas and boat ramps;
- widened and paved roads and parking lots;
- improved restrooms and bathhouses (flush toilets and handicap access); and
- constructed fish habitat structures in the lake and enhanced wetland for an existing 20-acre mudflat area located at the north end of the lake.
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| SRBC Alternate Commissioner Lynch (left) and Senator Libous discuss next steps for the project. |
Among the findings from past studies conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the Whitney Point Lake Environmental Restoration Project, this project: (1) would not diminish the facility's flood control capabilities (the dam is designed to control a 100-year flood event), nor would the releases adversely impact the lake itself; (2) would enhance the lake's wetlands and fisheries by maintaining the year-round level, resulting in better wildlife habitat.
The project also affords side-benefits to the New York State agricultural community. The Commission will credit the water released from the lake toward mitigation of agricultural consumptive water use in the New York portion of the Susquehanna basin. As a result, farmers will not have to individually meet the consumptive use mitigation requirements under the Commission's regulations, representing a very sensible solution for both the New York State agricultural community and for the Commission.
With the state funding secured, the federal government must now appropriate its share for the project to move forward. The total federal share is $5 million, which is 65 percent of the total cost. Senator Libous, Assemblyman Crouch and Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala all vowed to work with the state's congressional members to see that the federal cost-share funds are appropriated. Ken Lynch also pledged SRBC's support for the long run.
