Black River Initiative: Recreation, Winter 2014 Transportation, Water Quality the Black River, Flow- Along the Black Riv- Dor Management Plan Ing from Its Headwa- Er

Black River Initiative: Recreation, Winter 2014 Transportation, Water Quality The Black River, flow- along the Black Riv- dor Management Plan ing from its headwa- er. The Black River (2012) provide the ters in the western Watershed Manage- foundation to advance Adirondacks, through ment Plan (2010), existing efforts and the Tug Hill new pro- region and jects that into Lake On- enhance tario, is one and im- of the area’s prove all most im- aspects of portant natu- the Black

ral resources. River. This The Black newsletter River Initia- highlights

tive is a multi Poor’s Island Recreation Area several re- -pronged ap- Photo by Emily Sheridan cent devel- proach to pro- opments in tect and improve the Black River Blueway the Black River Initia- water quality, recrea- Trail Plan (2007) and tive. tional opportunities Black River Trail and communities Scenic Byway Corri- Scenic Byway Legislation Passed

multiyear effort to ticular scenic, recrea- reroute the Black tional, cultural, natural River Trail to follow or archaeological signif- the Black River, and icance. The program is

to create a new Ma- intended to help pre- ple Traditions route serve unusual environ- from Lowville to Og- ments and promote densburg and Can- tourism. Communities ton. These two routes along the scenic byway On July 12, 2013 the are now part of the are eligible for federal Black River Trail and state’s Scenic Byways funds for enhancements Maple Traditions Sce- system that includes through the state De- nic Byway legislation more than 2,000 partment of Transpor- was signed into law, miles of roads in New tation. which capped off a York that have par-

Inside this issue: Black River Website 5 Welcome Emily Sheridan 2 Navigation improvements 6 NYSDEC Great Lakes Program 2 Town of Wilna Crown Cleaners 6, 7 NYSDEC Great Lakes Program 3 Fish Passage 7 Lewis County Soil and Water 3 Black River Conference 8 Preventing spread of purple loosestrife 4 Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition 8 Preventing spread of Aquatic invasive species 4

FEMA Discovery Reports, Riverfest 9 Black River Initiative River Black Village of Lyons Falls Mill Demolition 5

1 Welcome Emily Sheridan! Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator

Emily Sheridan is the new Eastern Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator. Emily will work with NYSDEC’s Great Lakes Program and the Tug Hill Commission to foster collaboration in the Great Lakes Basin. Greater collaboration among agencies, partners, and stakeholder will better meet shared water quality and natural resource goals and improve environmental, social and economic conditions within New York’s Great Lakes Basin. Emily studied Natural Resources Management at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Since graduation, Emily has worked for the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, The Ashokan Center in the Catskills, Natures Classroom in Silver Bay, NY at Lake George, and The Nature Conservancy of Central and Western New York. At the Nature Conservancy, Emily valued the opportunity to contribute to the restoration of Eastern Lake Ontario coastal wetlands, assess the presence of invasive species within the watershed, and work with partners and stakeholders within the Eastern Lake Ontario region. She is excited about the opportunity to continue to work with partners and stakeholders of the Lake Ontario watershed, as well as with stakeholders of the St. Lawrence River, and Black River watersheds.

Emily Sheridan; Eastern Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator

Email: [email protected] Office phone: (315)785-2382

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Great Lakes Program

The Black River Water- of Environmental Con- shed spans 1.2 million servation (NYSDEC) acres of land from the developed the Great central Adirondacks to Lakes Action Agenda the shoreline of Lake (GLAA). Photo taken by Emily Sheridan in April 2014 Ontario. As rain falls on Much like the Black the land surrounding River Watershed Man- the Black River, it flows agement Plan, the into the Black River, Black River Watershed GLAA recognizes that which then flows into it carries with it the eroding in order to protect and Lake Ontario, one of the five soil, nutrients, and in some sustain our water and natural Great Lakes. The Great Lakes cases, pollutants that are on resources, federal, state, and and St. Lawrence River basin the land. In order to accom- local organizations and stake- consist of about 302,000 square plish shared goals, including holders need to work together miles of land, spanning inter- reducing pollution and runoff towards shared goals for sus- national borders, 8 states, and to the tributaries, rivers, and taining water quality and natu- many jurisdictions. As water lakes of the Great Lakes wa- (Continued on page 3) flows into the river and lakes, tershed, the NYS Department

Black River Initiative 2 DEC Great Lakes Program continued

(Continued from page 2) approach considers the complex tion among organizations. Sup- ral resources that are vital to interactions that occur between port for Black River Watershed the economic and social well people and their environment, Coordination by the Eastern being of communities within seeks to balance social, economic, Great Lakes Watershed Coordi- the Great Lakes watershed. and environmental goals, recog- nator will strengthen Black The NYSDEC established the nizes that a watershed does not River Initiative efforts, and help program to encourage collabo- stop at county or state boundaries, identify how the goals of the ration towards sustaining New and seeks to ensure that decisions Black River Initiative align with York’s Great Lakes resources, are based on sound science, stake- New York State’s goals within such as drinking water, recrea- holder involvement, and collabora- the Great Lakes basin. tion, navigation, commercial,

residential and agricultural land use, hydroelectric power generation, and fish and wildlife populations and habitat. The Great Lakes Program ap- plies an Ecosystem Based Management approach to addressing natural resource and water quality issues in the For more information: Great Lakes watershed. This www.dec.ny.gov/lands/25562.html

Lewis County Programs Improve Water Quality

The majority of the Black River Activities underway by the SWCD ricultural Environmental Man- watershed (81%; 1,101 square include erosion and sediment con- agement (AEM) plans and ef- miles) lies within the bounda- trol, storm water management, forts with landowners aid in ries of Lewis County. Since the invasive species management, and addressing these issues. The completion of the Black River reducing phosphorus and nutrient Lewis County SWCD has Watershed Management Plan loadings to tributaries from agri- worked to update soil maps in in 2010, Lewis County’s Soil & cultural land use. County-wide the Black River valley and also Water Conservation District hydro-seeding, tree sales and Ag- works with U.S. Geological Sur- (SWCD) has worked with land- vey to monitor water quality. owners and municipalities to Up-to-date soil mapping and apply and receive funding and water quality data will provide implement projects that ad- sound science to inform land dress natural resource and wa- use decisions and project suc- ter quality problems in priority cesses. areas. Please visit www.LewisCountysoilandwater.com for more information.

Black River Initiative 3 Preventing the Spread of Purple Loosestrife

In 2013, with funding from the was limited in controlling the an ornamental. The plant can Beaver River Advisory commit- spread of the plant. Lewis County form dense stands that take over tee and Brookfield Power, Lew- SWCD worked with the NYSDEC native vegetation and reduce is County SWCD staff hand to obtain and release Galerucella plant diversity and habitat for removed 150 large garbage beetles to better control the plant. native fish and wildlife. It bags of purple loosestrife from Monitoring will continue in 2015. thrives on disturbed moist soils, 13 sites along the Beaver River and has no predators in the U.S. Purple loosestrife is a wetland and parts of the Black River. A single Purple Loosestrife plant plant from Europe that was intro- This control effort aimed to can disperse up to 2 million duced to the U.S. in the 1800’s as prevent the further spread and seeds, and new plants can grow potentially eradicate from broken fragments. populations in these lo- European insects that cations. Monitoring the prey only on purple effectiveness of the con- loosestrife plants are be- trol project occurred in ing used to control pur- the summer of 2014, ple loosestrife in loca- which determined that tions with dense plant hand removal of the populations where hand plant in those locations © The Nature Conservancy removal is not an option.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) statewide level to reduce the launches throughout Lewis threaten the water quality and spread of AIS. In 2013, the AWI County. New York State recent- recreational use of the Black Watershed stewards conducted ly passed new Aquatic Invasive River Watershed. AIS can be surveillance at boat launches in Species Control legislation pro- spread when a boat on an in- the upper Black River Water- hibiting the transfer of AIS fested waterway is not cleaned shed at Eighth, White, Fourth, from one body of water to anoth- of these plants and then enters Limekiln, and Seventh Lakes, er. another waterway, such as the and Stillwater Reservoir. Water- Black River. AIS include Eura- shed Stewards inspected 3,658 sian watermilfoil, water chest- boats for the presence of aquatic nut, curly leaf pondweed, zebra invasive species and educated mussels, and hydrilla. 7,782 visitor’s about watershed The Adirondack Watershed In- stewardship and invasive species stitute (AWI) Stewardship Pro- prevention. Additionally, Lewis

gram at Paul Smith’s College is County Soil and Water is cur- For more information:

part of coordinated efforts at rently installing stations where http://www.adkwatershed.org/about the local, regional and AIS can be disposed of at boat

Black River Initiative 4 Village of Lyons Falls Moving Ahead with Mill Demolition

Lyons Falls is in the middle of Milk Bottle Plant. repairs and expansion to their a transformation, with part- Grant funding included existing plant can be made. nerships and grant funding to $330,000 for planning and $1 Mayor Katie Leindecker re- help the Village realize its po- million for this phase of demo- ports that a small portion of tential. The Village and its lition from the North Country the materials from the torn partners, including the Lewis Regional Economic Develop- down buildings (crushed County Development Corpora- ment Council. The planning bricks, for example) will likely tion, Kruger (a hydroelectric and demolition is being over- be able to be used on site for company), the Development seen by DANC, in partnership fill, once all the buildings are Authority of the North Country with the Village. The demoli- removed, which may take addi- (DANC) and state agencies, tion is also being funded by tional phases and time to com- including Department of State, Kruger, which operates a pow- plete. NYSDEC, and Tug Hill Com- er generating facility at the Mayor Leindecker was also mission, held a press event on mill site. Kruger is in need of happy to report that the NYS July 15th to mark the first additional property to expand Department of State has ap- demolition phase of the former their hydro plant and to gain proved the Village’s Step III Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper much needed access so that Brownfield Opportunity Area Mill. (BOA) grant. All of the Vil- Currently owned by the lage, including the mill site, Lewis County Development is included in the BOA pro- Corporation, the mill site gram. Step III will, will have 12 buildings re- amongst other things, cre- moved between now and ate a marketing strategy for the end of October. At the the mill property and create time of this newsletter, 5 a pro forma for a range of Former Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Mill. July 2014. structures have already desired uses for the former Photo by Emily Sheridan come down, including the mill site. 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 Black River Blueway the website at www.BlackRiverNY.com

Black River Initiative 5 Navigation Improvements The 40-mile flat water portion hazards in Martinsburg. The of the Black River from Lyons boulder near the Glenfield Falls to Carthage/West Car- Bridge has been marked with thage provides the longest, buoys by the NYS Office of continuous water route on the Parks, Recreation and Historic river. Unfortunately, during Preservation Marine Services low-flow summer conditions, Division. Sections of the old pil- safe navigation can be difficult ings have also been sawed away due to a number of hazards to allow for boats to traverse the www.bikethebyways.org that have been known to dam- river in the more dangerous sec- age hulls, outboard motors, Engineers completed a 2006 navi- tions. The plan moving forward and even to injure paddlers or gation study with recommenda- will be to mark the openings of occupants. These hazards are tions and cost estimates for re- the piles so navigators will know dam remnants, timber piles, moving those hazards. where it is safe to pass. Plans to and submerged former jutting The Town of Martinsburg ob- remove a 20 foot section of the pieces from the river’s former tained a 2008 Blueway Trail Im- old Otter Creek Dam are ongo- days as part of the canal sys- plementation grant for removing ing with a permit application for tem. navigation hazards at four sites the US Army Corp of Engineers In 2003 and 2004, communities in that town’s portion of the Black and DEC being developed. Fi- along this stretch of the river River. Those sites include dam nally, more studies are needed held meetings to discuss en- remnants at Bush’s Landing and at Bush’s Landing to find a way hancing the use of the Black Otter Creek, boulders near the to keep the lock clear of debris River for recreation and tour- Glenfield Bridge, and old pilings and allow boaters to use the his- ism. Improving navigation of near Roaring Brook. toric lock as a way around the the river was their highest pri- This fall, work has been under- dam remnants. ority. The US Army Corp of way to continue removing these Town of Wilna and Crown Cleaners

Located in the Town of Wilna reational opportunities. and Village of Herrings, Crown Cleaners of Watertown, INC. After a series of soil and ground- has been under investigation water tests over the years, on since 1991 by the U.S. Envi- March 2012 EPA presented the ronmental Protection Agency preferred action to address con- tamination issues. Concerns docu- (EPA) due to the spill of tetra- chloroethylene into the vil- mented in the Record of Decision lage’s water supply. Also locat- (ROD) include the decontamina- Black River & Olympic Scenic ed within the Black River Wa- tion and demolition of the main on- Byways, the town acquired the tershed and along the Black site building, removal of contami- old industrial site to provide River Blueway Corridor and public access to waterfront rec- (Continued on page 7)

Black River Initiative 6 Town of Wilna continued

(Continued from page 6) and down gradient using nat- EPA Crew to collect additional nated wetland sediments and ural attenuation, as well as information over the summer. soils adjacent to the former the development of the Site According to the EPA, remedia- cleaner property, excavation of Management Plan and an tion efforts will cost approximate- contaminated soil at the source environmental Easement. ly $7 million. area, off-site treatment/ In preparing to complete fi- disposal of sediments, soils, For more information: http://www.epa.gov/ nal groundwater design and building debris, in-situ r02earth/superfund/npl/crowncleaners/ plans, ground wells were index.html treatment of the contaminated drilled in June 2014 by an groundwater near the source Fish Passage in the Black River Watershed

Road culverts necessary for drainage sometimes do not allow fish and other aquatic organisms to pass through. Culverts that are too small or not well maintained can lead to flooding and headaches for highway departments. Looking at different culvert designs and being more careful of placement can help prevent problems. Culverts designed with an arch shape, that consider the natural stream flow, transportation needs, as Priority Culverts in New York State– as identified by 2011 report “Incorporating well as the ability for aquatic organisms to pass are Freshwater Biodiversity into NYS Trans- being demonstrated as a better option. A study by portation Planning”. the NYS Department of Transportation and The Na- ture Conservancy assessed culverts in consideration of habitat concerns for priority species, and identified priority culverts to replace in consideration of preserving these habitats. DOT/TNC assessed culverts in Keene Valley and have successfully leveraged $800,000 in NYS Rising funding to replace failing culverts with culvert designs that allow for fish and aquatic organism passage, improved road use, and natural stream restoration. The DOT/TNC report identified 6 priority sites in the Black River watershed that could be improved with newly designed culverts.

Debris gathers, potentially blocking water For more information: http:// flow through culvert www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/ northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/explore/ new-york-culvert-inventory.xml

Culvert design that promotes fish passage, reduces flooding, and Fish are unable to pass through culvert. allows for natural stream flow.

Black River Initiative 7 Black River Watershed Conference

An annual Black River Watershed Conference is held in early June to provide a venue for training and information sharing on a variety of topics relating to the Black River. In 2014 over 60 people at- tended the event at the scenic Tug Hill Vineyards in Lowville, NY. The conference was organized by the Tug Hill Commission, NYS DEC Region 6 and the Lewis County Soil and Water Con- servation District. Speakers covered a range of topics including Stormwater Regulations, Cultural Heritage, Black River Flow Regulation and Fish Species Distri- bution. In addition, the group learned about Emergency Stream Response from a panel of local, state and federal experts. After lunch, about 50 conference members participated in a bus tour of four project sites in the Watershed that exemplify how to work in partnerships to get large tasks accomplished. The bus tour was funded by the Beaver River Advisory Council.

Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition

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 stormwater sewer systems (MS4’s) differently. The Tug Hill Commission has helped bring the communities together and learn about what these new regulations mean. The Towns of LeRay, Rutland, and Watertown; Villages of Black River, Brownville, Carthage, Dexter and West Carthage; the City of Watertown; and Jefferson County; have signed an intermunicipal agreement to work together to meet the requirements of the new regulations. Pro- gress towards complying have included securing a grant from the Black River Advisory Committee to support out- For more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/ reach and education activities, the appointment of the Jef- chemical/8468.html ferson County Soil & Water Conservation District as the stormwater program coordinator for most of the municipalities, and securing a grant to conduct outfall mapping. The coalition, through the Town of LeRay, also was re- cently awarded a DEC Water Quality Improvement Grant in order to develop and implement a Stormwater Manage- ment Plan. The new regulations aim to improve water quality by reducing storm runoff containing pollutants and nutrients in these communities.

Black River Intiative 8 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Discovery Reports available

Flooding has been a con- ings from land runoff flowing into state agencies and helps com- stant threat throughout the waterways. The Black River Wa- munities identify, assess, and history of the Black River tershed Management Plan rec- reduce their flood risk. Watershed. Significant ommends improved storm water Through Risk MAP, FEMA snowfall, and rain events in management and floodplain man- provides information to en- the Adirondacks and Tug agement to promote watershed hance local mitigation plans, Hill bring large amounts of health. improve community outreach, water into the River at vari- and increase local resilience to The Federal Emergency Manage- ous times of the year. Flood- floods. The program has devel- ment Agency (FEMA) Risk Map- ing in the Black River usu- oped discovery reports, which ping, Assessment, and Planning, ally occurs in the late winter will aid in identifying commu- or Risk MAP program works with and early spring, when the nity needs, including the need

ground is still frozen and Dexter, NY April 2014 for digital flood insurance rate snow melt and increased Photo by Emily Sheridan maps. By participating in the rainfall produce high runoff. program’s community rating In addition to potential prop- system, communities can fur- erty damage, this increased ther reduce flood insurance runoff can also reduce water costs and minimize risks. quality due to higher sediment loading and potential For more information: https:// nutrient and pollutant load- www.rampp-team.com/ny.htm Riverfest

The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce’s 25th annual RiverFest drew 116 paddlers for a leisurely ride down the Black River. Paddlers left from the Castorland boat launch and traveled to West Carthage with a rest stop at Carthage Rod and Gun Club. Each year, the event chang- es launch and destination locations. Last year’s event was held from Lyons Falls boat launch to Beeches Bridge. A trivia contest, sponsored by Lewis County Soil & Water Conservation District, was held in conjunction with the event. Paddlers were asked to answer 10 questions about the Black River Watershed, which were chosen by the Lewis County Water Quality Coordinating Committee.

Trivia participants turned their responses in for a chance Castorland Boat Launch August 2, 2014

to win a gift basket with items donated by various Lewis Photo from Watertown Daily Times. County businesses.

Black River Initiative 9 NYS Tug Hill Commission For more Information on the Black River Initiative Contact:

Jennifer Harvill; Natural Resources Specialist

Tug Hill Commission

[email protected]______

Emily Sheridan; Eastern Great Lakes Watershed Coordinator Dulles State Office building 317 Washington St. NYSDEC Watertown, NY 13601 [email protected]______

Carla Malmgrem; Community Development Specialist

Tug Hill Commission

[email protected]

http://www.tughill.org/projects/black-river-projects/watershed-initiative/

Brookfield Power Black River Trail boat launch. Photo by Emily Sheridan