Partners continue progress to achieve Winter 2015 goals in the Black River

Fish Island, Dexter Throughout 2015, Black River Watershed partners in the Black Management Plan River Watershed (WMP). Efforts have have been working included the Black collaboratively to River Watershed advance The Black Conference, an River Initiative. addendum to the Partners including existing Black River Jefferson and Lewis WMP, the Factory County Soil and Street Reconstruction,

Water Conservation invasive species Districts, Jefferson management and green and Lewis County infrastructure projects. Planning, the City of These efforts are Watertown, Whitaker Falls. essential to ensure the Commission, and the 1.2 million acres of Photo by Emily Sheridan Department of land within the Environmental watershed continues to Conservation have provide communities advanced actions with quality natural identified by the resources. Addendum to Black River Watershed Man- agement Plan will meet federal guidance

Progress is underway, led by the as target management actions to DEC Great Lakes Program, DEC achieve measurable results in the

Division of Water, and the Tug most degraded sub watersheds. Hill Commission, to update the The addendum identifies existing existing Black River Watershed phosphorus, nitrogen, and Management Plan (WMP). An sediment loading in high priority addendum to the existing WMP sub-watersheds, identifies specific will meet the Environmental management actions needed to Protection Agency’s minimum 9 address loading issues, estimates element guidance for watershed load reductions that will be management plans, and allow achieved by management actions, for the plan to be used to identifies lead organizations that leverage federal funding, as well will implement (cont. on p. 2)

Inside this issue: Black River Website 5 Addendum to Black River Watershed Management 1,2 Town of Wilna Crown Cleaners 6 Great Lakes workgroups 2 Lewis county stream gauges 6 WAVE training 3 Black River Watershed Conference 7 Lewis county Invasive species signage 3 Storm water Coalition 7 West Carthage boat launch 4 City of Watertown 8 Black River Initiative River Black Regional Conservation Partnership Program 4 Riverfest 8 Village of Lyons Falls 5

1 Addendum (cont.)

actions, monitors and evaluates effectiveness, and seeks to provide more robust education and outreach to promote watershed stewardship and awareness of management actions. The addendum does not intend to require any actions, but rather provides a tool to leverage federal resources that will incentivize actions that have been recommended by the existing WMP. For more information on the EPA watershed management plan guidance, visit: http://water.epa.gov/ polwaste/nps/handbook_index.cfm To view the existing Black River Watershed Management Plan: http:// www.tughill.org/projects/black-river-projects/ watershed-initiative/

A copy of the draft addendum is available to anyone who is interested by contacting Emily Sheridan, Eastern Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator for DEC’s Great Lakes Program, at [email protected]

Black River Watershed Great Lakes Action Agenda Northeast sub basin work group meetings Held in June and September

The DEC’s Great Lakes Program has held 2 apply a scientific foundation to decision making successful workshops to engage northeast sub and is adaptive. Needed projects identified by basin (St. Lawrence and Black River watershed) the workgroups that can be achieved through stakeholders in collaborative efforts to identify and EBM actions included promoting on site septic implement projects that achieve water quality, maintenance and upgrades, implementing natural resource, sustainability, resiliency, and agricultural best management practices and recreation goals in the Great Lakes basin. Work riparian buffers, engaging communities in group meetings were well attended by Federal and planning to be more resilient to potential climate State Agency partners, not for profit organizations, change impacts and flood events, enhancing fish county soil and water conservation districts, county and wildlifePhoto habitat taken by throughEmily Sheridan ecological in April 2014 planners, and educational institutions to discuss restoration and culvert enhancement projects, priority projects for the region that can be working with partnerships for regional invasive implemented through an ecosystem based species management to better coordinate management (EBM) approach. An EBM approach invasive species control efforts, and identifying seeks to protect the ecosystem structure, function water supplies under precipitation scenarios to and processes, recognizes the better inform water use and land interconnectedness within and management. For more among systems, integrates information, visit http:// ecological, social, economic ,and www.dec.lands/91881.html. To get institutional perspectives, involved with quarterly meetings, involves stakeholders in contact Great Lakes Program staff Whetstone Gulf beach house collaborative actions, seeks to at: [email protected]

2 Black River Initiative Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators: training in the Black River this spring

Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE) is a citizen-based water quality assessment developed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The purpose of WAVE is to enable citizen scientists to collect biological data for assessment of water quality on wadeable streams in NY State.

Planning is underway for training opportunities in the Black River basin for coordinators and for citizen scientists to learn how to assess their local waterways by observing aquatic organisms and stream conditions. Citizens can participate in WAVE in the following ways:  Serve as local coordinators who coach and coordinate their own team of WAVE participants. Local coordinator training sessions are one full day and include presentations and hands on, in- stream demonstrations.  Sample independently. This requires half-day training Volunteers learn to monitor water quality. sessions that are completed entirely in the stream.  Join a local team lead by a WAVE local coordinator. Training for this option is conducted by the local coordinator or group. Contact [email protected] for more information or visit the programs website at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/ chemical/92229.html Invasive Species Management: Signage

Through a grant from the St. 14 aquatic invasive species disposing of aquatic invasive Lawrence– Eastern Lake disposal stations at boat launches species will further prevent the Ontario Partnership for throughout the county, with 11 introduction and spread of new Invasive Species Management, disposal stations within the Black infestations into the Black River Lewis County Soil and Water River watershed. Increased watershed, protecting the Conservation District was able awareness of invasive threats and ecosystem functions, fish and to fund the installation of signs mechanisms for more adequately wildlife habitats, and and aquatic invasive recreational resources. species disposal stations For more information, at Black River boat contact Lewis County Soil launches. The project and Water Conservation installed 77 signs to District staff at: promote awareness of (315)376-6122 invasive species threats Aquatic invasive species disposal throughout the Lewis station at Lewis County boat launch. County trail system, and

3 Black River Initiative Village of Carthage Boat Launch

This September, the village of leveraged from the T.F Wright benches, grills, trash receptacles, West Carthage held a ribbon Memorial Foundation, Black flags, a flagpole, and picnic tables. cutting ceremony for the River Advisory Council, Pratt- Northern Developers LLC donated newly renovated and Northern Foundation, and a gazebo for the park, and Upstate upgraded boat launch. With Carthage Savings and Loans Landscape and snow services funding from the Department enabled the installation of donated a 15 foot spruce tree. of Transportation’s Additional opportunities Recreational Trails within the Destination Program, the village Blueway Waterfront Plan was able to install a for the Villages of new boat launch, Carthage and West retaining wall, dock, Carthage can further and picnic area on conserve and restore 2.1 acres along the lands along the waterfront western shoreline of and enhance recreational the Black River. opportunities. Additional funding Aerial view of West Carthage boat launch. Photo by Jeff Powis.

NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program

The Greater Adirondack funding throughout the Upper The overarching goal of this Resource Conservation and Hudson River, St. Lawrence project is to reduce nutrient, Development Council, Inc., in River, Black River and Lake sediment and bacterial loading partnership with County Soil Champlain Watersheds. Five into surface waters and improve and Water Conservation objectives are to be achieved; habitat within these watersheds Districts and other partners, 1. provide services directly to utilizing strong regional successfully leveraged funding producers (farmers and non- partnerships. through the Natural Resource industrial forest land owners) For more information on the Conservation Service’s for conservation planning; RCPP program: Regional Conservation 2. create a ranking matrix for http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/p Partnership Program (RCPP). project prioritization; ortal/nrcs/main/national/progra The RCPP funding will support 3. invest in innovative Best ms/farmbill/rcpp/ the Greater Adirondack Management Practices on Agricultural Environmental agricultural and forestry Enhancement Program. lands throughout the Encompassing the entire region; northern portion of 4. monitor progress by State, this program will creating and utilizing a address water quality, soil monitoring database; and Cover crops are a priority of the EQIP– this health and inadequate habitat 5. educate local producers. photo shows no till drill cover crops (L) and issues utilizing Environmental seed broadcast (R) cover crops. Photo by Jefferson County Soil and Water. Quality Incentives Program

4 Black River Initiative Village of Lyons Falls Mill Site Update improving safety and access to program, the primary objectives Mill Site Update its hydropower site, co-located outlined in the current project The Village of Lyons Falls at the former Mill. Northbrook include redevelopment of the continues to transform its hopes to expand its operation abandoned mill site and other sites community as it finishes the in the near future to increase and to create business and second phase of demolition of its electrical generating employment opportunities in the the former Lyons Falls Pulp capacity. village. Additionally, project and Paper Mill. Working with objectives are to revitalize the its partners, the Lewis County Village and stimulate the social Development Corporation, and economic quality of life by Northbrook Lyons Falls LLC addressing community needs for and the Development living wage jobs, affordable Authority of the North Country housing and physical (Authority), the Village saw improvements to the several more buildings and structures be remediated and downtown. Specific activities outlined to achieve these removed from the former mill Brownfield Opportunity site. In total, 15 buildings and objectives include defining future Assessment News land uses for the Village, several ancillary structures at Lewis County has entered into the site have been taken down developing marketing plans for an agreement with the Authority strategic sites and identifying during phases 1 and 2 of the to oversee work on the Village's project. The Village hopes the programs to assist in Brownfield Opportunity Area remaining structures slated for implementing revitalization (BOA) Implementation demolition will be taken down plans. Work will be led by the in a third project phase, for Strategy. The Implementation Authority through a BOA which funding has not yet been Strategy will advance the work Implementation Strategy committed. In addition to the outlined in the Village's Step 2 Committee made up of demolition, more than half of Nomination Study, which was representatives from Lewis the mill site has been completed in July 2012 by Elan County, the Village of Lyons remediated and is ready for Planning/Design/Landscape Falls, the Lewis County redevelopment. Work at the Architecture PLLC with the Development Corporation Mill site to date has Williams Group and HRP (LCDC) and the Tug Hill significantly improved Associates, Inc. Funded through Commission. Northbrook's operation by the Department of State's BOA Black River Website A website was developed, using Environmental Protection Funds from the NYS Department of State to help promote tourism along the Black River Blueway. The website highlights recreational opportunities and amenities in the area, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, trails, restaurants, local businesses, accommodations, and other attractions. To learn more about what the Black River Blueway has to offer, please visit the website at www.BlackRiverNY.com Black River Blueway

5 Black River Initiative Town of Wilna and Crown Cleaners

Restoration work has been debris from the buildings. In the addition, a groundwater underway at the former Crown spring the contractor had resumed treatment plan will be required Cleaners site in the village of work at the 9-acre site and has to remove all contamination Herrings. Site clearing hauled away 35 roll-off containers from the groundwater. A health activities began this past of wood and clothing debris. and safety plan and monitoring spring to cleanup the Extraction of contaminated soil are in place to protect the Environmental Protection and sediment of the site will be community and workers from Agency superfund site, after necessary to remove volatile harm during the cleanup the EPA committed 3.1 million organic compounds that could seep process. After the cleanup, the dollars to the cleanup this into the soil. After the buildings Town of Wilna plans to year. Efforts have been are emptied, they will be transform the former industrial underway since the sites demolished, and a 2 foot soil cap site into a park, improving designation in 1991 to remove will be placed over the site. In aesthetics and community hazardous materials and access to the Black River. The identify remedial actions for town is seeking funding for the the site. Contract work that design of the park, and hopes to has been completed to date by begin work on the park, with Kemron Environmental the assistance of on site EPA Services of Atlanta, Ga., has crew, in the spring of 2016. included brush and tree clearing around the 20 foot For more information: http:// perimeter of the buildings on Former Crown Cleaners site, village of Herrings. cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/ Photo by Emily Sheridan. the Route 3 site and removing cursites/csitinfo.cfm? Lewis County Stream Gauge System

To better inform residents and of the system. The emergency management Advisory Council funded an personnel, the Lewis County additional stream gauge on the Soil and Water Conservation Beaver River that will be installed. District, in coordination with For more information, contact Lewis County Economic Lewis Development and Planning, Installing stream County Soil gauges. Photo by has installed 3 stream gauges This will allow residents to and Water Lewis County Soil and Water. that will provide real time evacuate from areas that may Con- monitoring of the hydrology, be impacted, and ensure the servation flow, and water quality of the protection of vulnerable District Black River, and notify property. All necessary staff. emergency management personnel have been trained on

personnel of impending flood the operation and maintenance events.

6 Black River Initiative 2015 Black River Watershed Conference

An annual Black River infrastructure, and nutrient Watershed Conference is management, as well as held in early June to updates on projects in the provide a venue for training Black River. and information sharing on The conference concluded a variety of topics relating 2015 Black River Watershed Conference at the with a bus tour featuring to the Black River. The con- Hayloft. Photo by Emily Sheridan. visits to the Lyonsdale ference is organized by the ReEnergy plant, Conway Tug Hill Commission, NYS DEC Region 6 and Farm, Port Leyden, and the the Jefferson and Lewis County Soil and Water Museum in Boonville. Planning for the 2016 Conservation Districts. Sponsorship for the 2015 Black River Watershed Conference is underway conference and bus tour was provided by four and we are excited to bring the conference to member counties of the Finger Lakes– Lake Watertown this year. We hope to have training Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance and information focusing on paddling, storm- (Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer, and Hamilton) and water and geology. The Conference will be held the Beaver River Advisory Council. The on June 8th of 2016, so watch your inboxes. Conference was held at The Hayloft at Moon- Contact [email protected] for more shine Farms in Port Leyden, NY, and was information. attended by 65 stakeholders and interested citizens. This year’s training and information topics included invasive species watercraft in- Hope to see you spection, community resiliency and green there! Black River fog from Moonshine Farm. Photo by Emily Sheridan Jefferson County Storm Water Coalition Updates

Population increases documented in the 2010 U.S. Census led to the designation of an urbanized area in Jefferson County in 2013. Several of the communities in the urbanized area are now being required to regulate municipal separate storm water sewer systems (MS4’s) differently. In 2014 the Towns of LeRay, Rutland, and Watertown; Villages of Black River, Brownville, Carthage, Dexter and West Carthage; the City of Watertown; and Jefferson County signed an inter-municipal agreement to work together to meet the requirements of the new regulations. In 2015, Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District successfully leveraged a grant from the US Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program to install 3 gardens and plant 50 trees in each of the communities in the urbanized area. Green infrastructure such as tree plantings and rain gardens reduces runoff to waterways by absorbing rain water, and filters nutrients and pollutants from entering waterways. Trees and rain gardens also improve the aesthetics of the landscape, provide habitat, and reduce air pollution. The project will additionally promote green infrastructure practices through signage at the project sites and education and outreach activities. A rain garden has been installed this fall and groundwork will continue next spring, so keep an eye out for more green on the landscape! Rain garden at Black River village For more information on green infrastructure: http:// Photo by Christine Watkins www2.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure

7 Black River Initiative City of Watertown Factory Street Reconstruction

The City of Watertown is Great Lakes communities, the in 1893 and 1904, respectively. undertaking a project that City of Watertown has several The City of Watertown is also will reconstruct a stretch of antiquated Combined Sewer constructing two Factory Street from Mill Systems (CSS) that in addition to hydrodynamic separators as Street to Huntington Street, storm water runoff, also collect part of the Factory Street as well as several side sewage that will enter the Black Redevelopment. streets. The primary work is River via Combined Sewer Hydrodynamic separators are roadway, curb, and sidewalk Overflow (CSO) structures. a Best Management Practice in stormwater management. reconstruction. Along with The City of Watertown will They use cyclonic separation to Factory Street’s construct a closed drainage remove sediment and other Redevelopment, the City of system to separate stormwater pollutants from urban Watertown has aggressively from existing combined sewers. stormwater runoff. In addition been searching for The City constructed the to the two hydrodynamic opportunities to bring itself combined sewer system along separators that the City will into compliance with Federal Factory Street in 1967, with construct along Factory Street, Municipal Separate Storm existing catch basins that connect the City intends to install a Sewer System (MS4) to smaller combined sewers built regulations. Like many older third on Public Square.

Riverfest 2015

The 26th annual Lewis county Riverfest was held August 1st, 2015. There were 90 paddlers that began their 11.3 mile trip from the Glenfield Boat Launch and finished at the Beaches Bridge boat launch. A free shuttle brought paddlers back to the starting launch. Along the way, paddlers had an opportunity to participate in “river trivia” to test their knowledge about the Black River basin and win a prize donated by Lewis County businesses. The trivia and festival were sponsored by Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cook’s Consulting, and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce. Keep an eye out for next years registration https://www.facebook.com/Lewis-County-Soil-Water- for this fun and educational event! Conservation-District-194437123937645/

8 Black River Initiative Black River Initiative

The Black River Initiative is a multi-pronged approach to protect and improve the water quality, recreational opportunities and communities along the Black River. The Black River Watershed Management Plan (2010), Black River Blueway Trail Plan (2007) and Black River Trail Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (2012) provide the foundation to advance existing efforts and new projects that enhance and improve all aspects of the Black River. An annual newsletter highlights recent developments in the Black River Initiative, connects with stakeholders, and promotes collaborative efforts to achieve goals. For more information, visit: http://www.tughill.org/projects/black-river-projects/watershed-initiative/

For more Information on the Black River Initiative Contact: NYS Tug Hill Commission Jennifer Harvill; Natural Resources Specialist Tug Hill Commission [email protected] Emily Sheridan; Eastern Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator

NYSDEC [email protected] Dulles State Office building 317 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601

Black River headwaters, view of the Fulton Chain of Lakes from Summit of Rocky Mtn. Emily Sheridan

9 Black River Initiative