Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office 

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Brown Street bridge in Albion, which has been closed for about six years, is pictured on March 30.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that seven finalists have been chosen for the $2.5 million Reimagine the Canals Competition, which seeks innovative ideas to transform the State’s Canal System.

The competition, managed by the Canal Corporation and the New York Power Authority, seeks new approaches for how to both use the canals as an engine for economic development and also to become a hub for tourism and recreation.

“This competition to bring new life into the historic Canal System is occurring in the same year as the System’s centennial, and it’s clear from the creativity in these entries that the future for the next century is very bright,” Governor Cuomo said. “With the contributions from these finalists, our canals will continue to serve a transformative role in helping the Upstate economy thrive.”

The seven finalists were drawn from a field of 145 entries from nine countries and nine states and were announced today in Syracuse during a celebration at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Each of the teams will receive up to $50,000 to further develop their entries for the next stage.

Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO, which operates the state Canal System as a subsidiary, said, “The response to this competition is amazing and it is clear the judges had some tough choices to make. Picking the final winners will be just as difficult, but we are confident we’ll have some great ideas for the Canal System that can be put into action.”

Brian U. Stratton, Canal Corporation Director said, “These entries embrace the passion and pride in the Canal System that is prevalent in the 225 communities it passes through. They honor the heritage of the canals while at the same time offering bold ideas that can make the canals a vital force in the upstate economy and give people more reasons to visit.”

Final submissions will be due in early July. The winners, who will receive between $250,000 and $1.5 million to plan and implement their projects, are slated to be announced in the early fall.

The programs and initiatives are intended to promote the Canal System and its trails as a tourist destination and recreational asset for New York residents and visitors; sustainable economic development along the Canal System; the Canal System’s heritage; and the long-term financial sustainability of the Canal Corporation. Additionally, the competition sought entries on two separate tracks, one for infrastructure; the other for programs that have the potential to increase recreation use and tourism.

The finalists are:

• Go the Distance: this initiative will look to develop overnight accommodations for recreational users of the canal system. The team includes the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor from Waterford, NY; Gray Slate Partners from Troy, NY; 2K Design from Clifton Park, NY and Dorgan Architecture & Planning from Storrs, Conn.

• Canal Winterlocks: seeks to develop winter-time uses for the Erie Canal, potentially including skating, hockey, winter festivals and cross-country skiing. The team includes Clare Lyster Urbanism and Architecture and John Ronan Architects, both from Chicago and Urban Engineers from Philadelphia.

• Great Erie Canal Race: a multi-day race for many types of watercraft, with a component for bikers and hikers. The team, led by Parks and Trails New York, includes Joe Gustainis from Caledonia, NY and Karthik Namasivayam from Pittsford, NY, as advisors.

• Intra-Works: installations of art and sculpture to forge a cultural identity that links up the Canal System. The team includes the architecture and planning firms Collective Studio from New York City and WRT and Interface, both from Philadelphia.

• Pocket Neighborhoods: a model for canal-side neighborhoods that have the Erie Canal as the core of their identity. The team includes the Madison County Planning Department and Stream Collaborative, an architecture firm in Ithaca.

• Western New York Irrigation: this plan will build off the canal’s water infrastructure to expand its irrigation capabilities. The team includes SUNY ESF Professor Stephen Shaw, C&S Companies of Syracuse and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

• Upstate Archipelago: this team is developing designs for resilient water landscapes that also provide public recreation space and wildlife habitat. The team includes Cornell Design, Ithaca; Cornell Cooperative Extension and H+N+S, a landscape architecture firm based in the Netherlands.

The New York State Canal System, formerly known as the Barge Canal, opened on May 15, 1918. To mark the occasion, the Canal Corporation will waive tolls for the 2018 navigation season, which begins May 15 on the eastern Erie Canal and May 18 on the rest of the 524-mile system. The original Erie Canal was completed in 1825.

For more information about the competition, go to www.canals.ny.gov/reimaginethecanals.

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Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation

File photo: A black bear is pictured in Kendall on West Kendall Road in this photo from Aug. 11, 2014.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today issued guidance on how to prevent negative encounters with black bears. Nearly all negative bear encounters in New York are the result of hungry bears being attracted to human food sources. The simplest way to avoid a nuisance encounter is to remove potential food sources, which usually results in the bear moving on.

New York’s black bears emerge from the winter denning period and need to replenish their nutrients and body fat. To do so, they may travel long distances to preferred habitats that vary from season to season. Bears must often cross roads or pass through developed areas to find these different habitat types, and they often find human food readily accessible if homeowners do not take necessary precautions.

Not every bear that passes through a developed area is a problem bear, but readily available human food sources can quickly turn them into one. Bears can obtain all of the food they need from the forest but they are intelligent and opportunistic animals that will find and consume whatever food they can find most easily. Bird feeders, garbage cans, dumpsters, barbecue grills, unsecured out-buildings or vehicles containing food or waste all are potential attractants to bears.

Once a bear learns to obtain food from people or certain structures, it is very difficult to change the animal’s behavior. These bears are more vulnerable to motor vehicle collisions in populated areas, more likely to be illegally killed, or may become a threat to public safety.

In some cases, DEC is asked to relocate these bears. However, bear relocations are rarely effective at solving the problem and can be dangerous. Relocated bears often return to their original capture site, or may simply continue their bad habits at a new location. Additionally, if the circumstances that led to the original problem are not corrected, other bears may be attracted to the site and the human/bear conflicts will persist.

It is dangerous and illegal to intentionally feed bears. The incidental, indirect feeding of black bears, such as with bird feeders or garbage, is also unlawful after a written warning has been issued by DEC.

Occasionally, a bear becomes so habituated to human environments and conditioned to human foods that its behavior creates a clear threat to public safety and property. It is in the best interest of both bears and people for bears to get their food solely from wild sources.

To reduce the chance of negative black bear encounters around your home, DEC recommends these simple precautions:

• Never feed bears! It is illegal, dangerous and detrimental to bears.

• If you believe bears are being fed in your area, or suspect a nuisance bear situation, report it to DEC immediately.

• Take down bird feeders after April 1. Birds do not need supplemental food in the spring and summer, when natural foods are most abundant (even if you believe your birdfeeder to be inaccessible to bears, the birds will drop seed on the ground, which attracts bears to your yard).

• Clean off barbecue grills before night fall (don’t forget the grease trap), and if possible, store grills inside when not in use.

• Store garbage in a secure building or location, secure can lids with ropes/bungees/chains, never over-fill cans, and dispose of garbage as frequently as possible.

• If you live in an area where bears may occur, put garbage containers out by the curb just before the scheduled pick-up – never the night before.

• If you live in a densely populated bear area, consider using a certified bear-resistant garbage container.

• Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia products.

• Do not burn garbage: it is illegal and can attract bears.

• Do not add meat scraps, bones or melon rinds to your compost pile.

• Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. If pets must be fed outside, immediately remove all uneaten food and dishes.

• It is important to appreciate and respect black bears as wild animals, from a distance.

To learn more about New York’s black bears, visit the DEC website or look for the DEC’s DVD: ‘Living with New York Black Bears’ available at most local public libraries in New York.

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Rifles allowed for first time in 2017 for big game hunting in Orleans

File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured on Nov. 20, 2014 when they were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104.

Hunters in Orleans County harvested 3,949 deer in 2017, which was up from 3,586 in 2016, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

This past big game hunting season between November 15 and December 7 was the first time hunters could legally use rifles for deer and bear hunting, after votes of support from the County Legislature and State Legislature.

In Orleans the harvested deer breakdown by town for 2017 includes:

Albion – 311

Barre – 695

Carlton – 324

Clarendon – 425

Gaines – 271

Kendall – 203

Murray – 366

Ridgeway – 506

Shelby – 503

Yates – 345

The DEC released a report today on deer harvested in 2017. There were 203,427 deer harvested in the state last year, which is down from the 213,061 in 2016. The 203,427 includes 107,804 adult males and 15,805 male fawns, as well as 67,702 adult females and 12,116 female fawns.

The 2017 estimated deer take includes 95,623 antlerless deer and 107,804 antlered bucks, an estimated five percent fewer deer than the previous year. Statewide, this represents a 10-percent decline in antlerless harvest and a buck harvest nearly identical to 2016.

The decline in antlerless harvest occurred despite DEC issuing more antlerless permits last season. DEC wildlife biologists have noted two important and encouraging items that emerged from the 2017 deer harvest. First, with 53.3 percent of the adult buck harvest averaging 2.5 years or older, hunters took an estimated 57,494 older bucks, setting a record in total number and greatest percentage of older bucks in the harvest.

“This is great news for New York hunters,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Many hunters are choosing to voluntarily Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow, and all hunters are now having greater opportunity to see and take older, larger bucks.”

State-wide the most deer ever harvested in a year happened in 2002 with 308,216. There were 230,100 deer harvested n 2010, 295,859 in 2000, 190,810 in 1990, 136,255 in 1980, 65,013 in 1970 and 45,755 in 1960.

Click here to see the full report on 2017.

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File photo by Tom Rivers: Richard Barnard, right, and Amanda Dixon work to put out a brush fire on May 3, 2015 on Route 98 in Barre.

Press Release, DEC

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos reminds residents that with spring here and conditions for wildfires heightened, residential brush burning is prohibited through May 14 across New York State.

“While many people associate wildfires with the western United States, the start of spring weather and the potential for dry conditions increases the risk for wildfires in New York,” DEC Commissioner Seggos said. “New York prohibits residential burning during the high-risk fire season to reduce wildfires and protect people, property, and natural resources. The ban has been extremely effective in reducing the number of wildfires, and we’re encouraging New Yorkers to put safety first.”

Warming temperatures in the spring can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur.

In the eight-year period since the ban was established, the average number of spring fires per year decreased by 36.7 percent, from 2,649 in 2009, to 1,677 in 2016.

Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave such fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack and Catskill parks, are designated “fire towns.”

Violators of the state’s open burning regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online by clicking here.

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More groups are urged to register to pick up trash

Photo by Tom Rivers: Gary Kent and volunteers from the Albion Betterment Committee pick up trash along the canal last April 22.

The 13^th annual Canal Clean Sweep is scheduled for April 21, and volunteers are planning to pick up trash at canal spots in Orleans County and beyond.

The NYS Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails New York welcomes more volunteers for the effort. Organizations have already signed up to clean sections of the Canalway Trail, canalside parks, and in other public areas throughout the Canal corridor.

The Clean Sweep website already lists numerous groups for the April 21 cleanup, including two from Orleans.

The Kendall Masonic Lodge will meet in Holley, starting at 9 a.m. at gazebo by canal. The Sons of the American Legion in Medina will also gather at 9 a.m. at Legion Post to pick up trash by the canal from the American Legion to the Bates Road Launch Ramp.

More groups are welcome to sign up for the event in other parts of the canal. Click here to register.

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Some of parts of the Ere Canal banks where trees were cut down late last year have been hydro-seeded in recent days. These photos show a section in Albion just west of the Brown Street bridge.

The seeding caught some people by surprise because the banks are littered with branches and chunks of trees.

The Canal Corp. stated on its website that brush and trees will be removed from the site or may be chipped on site.

“Eventually the tree stumps will be excavated and removed and the affected area will be regraded. As the work progresses, all disturbed areas will be restored by establishing a grass surface that the Canal Corporation will maintain,” the Canal Corp. stated on a Q and A about the tree-clearing project.

The canal hired a contractor to take down trees from Medina to Fairport. The trees have roots that can burrow into the soil, going under the towpath and reaching the canal walls. That can make the canal vulnerable to leaks and weaken the walls, Canal Corp. officials said.

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Press Release, DEC

The public will have the opportunity to learn about the state of Lake Ontario fisheries at public meetings held in Niagara, Monroe, and Oswego counties in March, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

“Lake Ontario and its tributaries provide world-class angling opportunities that are generating substantial economic benefits to dozens of towns and cities along the lake,” Commissioner Seggos said. “The State of Lake Ontario meetings provide an excellent opportunity for everyone interested in the lake to interact with the scientists who study and manage its fisheries.”

Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries support thriving populations of fish, including a variety of trout, salmon, bass, walleye, yellow perch, and panfish. New York’s Lake Ontario waters comprise more than 2.7 million acres.

A recent statewide angler survey estimated more than 2.6 million angler days were spent on Lake Ontario and major tributaries. The estimated value of these fisheries exceeded $112 million annually to local economies.

The meeting dates and locations are:

• Monday, March 12: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus (Student Alumni Union – Room 1250), Rochester, Monroe County. The meeting is co-hosted by RIT and the Monroe County Fishery Advisory Board.

• Wednesday, March 14: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 4487 Lake Ave., Lockport, Niagara County. The meeting is co-hosted by Niagara County Cooperative Extension and the Niagara County Sportfishery Development Board.

• Thursday, March 15: 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the Pulaski High School auditorium, 4624 Salina St., Pulaski, Oswego County. The meeting is co-hosted by the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Association.

Staff from DEC, the United States Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will make a number of presentations, including updates on the status of trout and salmon fisheries in the lake and its tributaries, forage fish, and stocking programs. The meetings will provide ample time at the end of the scheduled program for the audience to interact with the presenters. Information about DEC’s Lake Ontario fisheries assessment programs can be found on DEC’s website.

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