Photo by Tom Rivers: The sign on the tugboat, Pittsford, is shown on Sunday evening in Albion, where the vessel is stationed.

With the Western New York and Capital Regions each given the green light for phase 1 reopenings, the State Canal Corp. has adjusted its plan for the opening of the Erie Canal.

Nearly the entire system is now planned to be ready by July 4 for the start of the navigational season.

The season was scheduled to open on May 15, but was pushed back. The Covid-19 pandemic and the limit on construction activities delayed some maintenance work needed before the canal can reopen.

Last Friday, the Canal Corp. announced most of the canal would open by July 4, but some sections might not open by July 4, including in the Albany region and the section from Lockport west through Tonawanda.

The rest of the canal was cleared for phase 1 of the reopening, including Orleans County which is in the Finger Lakes Region.

Western New York was cleared to reopen today and the Capital Region has met the state’s seven criterion to reopen, beginning on Wednesday.

The State Canal Corp. today said maintenance work needs to be completed at specific canal facilities varies by location and locks along the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals. They will open for passage in a staggered fashion.

Announcements regarding specific lock or regional openings will be communicated through the Canal Corporation’s “Notice to Mariners” notification program available at www.canals.ny.gov. The Canal Corporation said it appreciates the public’s patience during this time.

Here is the updated tentative schedule for the canal’s opening:

Capital Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th

• Erie Canal from Lock E-2 in Waterford to Lock E-9 in Rotterdam

• Except for Locks E-7 (Niskayuna), E-8 (Scotia), and E-9 (Rotterdam) – these locks are forecast to open between July 20th and August 10th

• Champlain Canal from Lock C-1 in Waterford to Lock C-12 in Whitehall

• Except for Lock C-12 (Whitehall), which is forecast to open on August 10th

Mohawk Valley Region – Locks opening in phases, targeted for between July 4th & August 10th

• Erie Canal Lock E-10 in Cranesville through Sylvan Beach at Oneida Lake

Central NY Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th

• Erie Canal from Oneida Lake to Lock E-25 in May’s Point

• Oswego Canal – except Lock O-7 in Oswego, which is forecast to open on August 10th

Finger Lakes Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th

• Erie Canal from Lock E-25 in May’s Point to Locks E-34/35 in Lockport – except Lock E-26 in Clyde, which is forecast to open on July 13th

• Cayuga – Seneca Canal – except Locks CS-2/3 in Seneca Falls, which are forecast to open on August 3rd

Western NY Region – Locks targeted for opening by July 4th

• Erie Canal Locks E-34/35 in Lockport through Tonawanda

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Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This is a nice time of year for a walk or a drive around the neighborhoods of Orleans County. Many of the trees are in bloom, including the cherry tree in the top photo. That tree is in a front yard on East Park Street in Albion.

This dogwood is in front of the rectory for the Holy Family Parish in Albion, at the corner of West Park Street and Main Street. The statutes of a family are in honor of the Rev. Richard Csizmar, the parish’s priest the past 26 years.

There is a freeze watch tonight and Tuesday morning in Orleans County with temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s. Hopefully the cold weather won’t cause the petals to fall off the trees.

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POINT BREEZE – Bob Chaplin sent in this photo he took this morning at 6:15 of the sun coming up at Point Breeze with the Oak Orchard Lighthouse and the Oak Orchard Harbor.

The photo was taken at Oak Orchard on the Lake.

The forecast the next few days includes a high near 70 on Wednesday, with a chance of showers before 2 p.m.

Thursday will be cloudy with a high near 62, followed by a chance of showers on Friday with a high near 55.

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Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurant activity at these sites limited to take-out or delivery

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boater passes through the channel at Oak Orchard Harbor at Point Breeze in this photo from May 28, 2015.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont today announced marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers will be allowed to open for personal use as long as strict social distancing and sanitization protocols are followed.

Chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurant activity at these sites must be limited to take-out or delivery only, like anywhere else in the three states. This announcement aligns the policies of the three states on this particular service.

“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve worked closely with our friends in neighboring states to implement a uniform regional approach to reducing the spread of the virus,” Governor Cuomo said. “Aligning our polices in this area is another example of that strong partnership, and will help ensure there is no confusion or ‘state shopping’ when it comes to marinas and boatyards.”

“We’ve committed to working with our regional partners throughout this crisis to align our policies when and where appropriate,” said Governor Murphy. “A unified approach is the most effective way to alleviate confusion for the residents of our states during the ongoing public health emergency.”

“Our states share workforces, resources, public transit, and we all have share a connection on the water,” Governor Lamont said. “This is yet another example of how our states have shared interests, which is all the more reason to collaborate on these kinds of decisions. This decision provides uniformity across our marinas.”

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BASOM – The Iroquois National Wildlife is seeking public review of its draft Hunt Plan and compatibility determinations. These documents are proposing changes to better align with New York state hunt regulations including strategies from our approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan from 2011.

The wildlife refuge includes 10,828 acres in the towns of Alabama and Shelby.

Areas Open to Hunting

• Big Game Hunting – Deer and turkey hunting are permitted throughout the refuge, except in areas that are closed to protect facilities and structures, or to create buffers around refuge trail systems. Additionally, areas adjacent to bald eagle nests are closed during the spring turkey season.

“No hunting” zones include the immediate areas around refuge headquarters, refuge residences, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, Swallow Hollow Trail, Onondaga Trail, Kanyoo Trail, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per New York State regulations. Eagle nest closure areas are determined annually, based on nest locations and buffer zones.

• Small Game/Upland Hunting – Small/upland game hunting is permitted throughout the entire refuge, except in areas closed to protect facilities and structures or to create buffers around refuge trail systems. “No hunting” zones include the immediate area around refuge headquarters, refuge residences, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, Swallow Hollow Trail, Onondaga Trail, Kanyoo Trail, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per state regulations.

• Waterfowl Hunting – Waterfowl hunting is permitted in Oneida, Cayuga, Mohawk West Pool, and Mohawk Northeast Pool from designated hunt markers, generally accessed on foot from associated parking areas. Mohawk South Pool is designated a free roam hunt area, with a limited number of permits distributed for that pool per day.

“No hunting” zones include all refuge areas not mentioned in the previous paragraph, as well as a buffer around Kanyoo and Headquarters Trail areas and the northern dike in Mohawk South Pool.

• All Other Migratory Bird Hunting – The hunting of other migratory game birds is permitted east of Sour Springs Road. During periods when waterfowl hunting is taking place on the refuge, other migratory game bird hunting is closed in this area, but opens up in the waterfowl hunting area for permitted hunters.

“No hunting” zones include Swallow Hollow trail, Onondaga trail, the vicinity of Iroquois Job Corps Center, and areas around private residences, farm buildings and structures, per state law.

Comments will be accepted until close of business on April 17 and may be submitted via phone at 585-948-7030, email to tom_roster@fws.gov, or postal mail to Iroquois NWR, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013.

Click here to see electronic and downloadable documents about the plan.

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Photos by Tom Rivers: A small steelhead is headed for one of the pens at Oak Orchard River in Carlton in this photo from April 8, 2019, when the DEC delivered 100,000 fish to the Oak Orchard, including 10,000 steelhead and 90,200 Chinook salmon. Charter boat captains and other volunteers have been raising fish in pens in the Oak Orchard River since 1998.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation said it will reduce salmon stocking by 20 percent this year to help protect the alewife population, which is a primary prey fish for salmon in Lake Ontario.

“In response to concerns over ongoing declines in Lake Ontario’s adult alewife population, DEC must reduce Chinook salmon and lake trout stocking further to provide adult alewife additional relief from predation,” the DEC states on its website.

Lake-wide salmon and trout stocking will still exceed 3.6 million fish by DEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

A fisherman walks on west side pier at the Oak Orchard Harbor in this photo from May 3, 2015.

“Given favorable wind and water temperature patterns, anglers should expect continued, excellent fishing in 2020,” the DEC said. “Failure to reduce stocking levels would serve to extend the severity and duration of low adult alewife abundance, with greater potential impacts to the sportfishery.”

DEC is planning to stock 1,161,568 chinook yearlings in 2020, 601,600 lake trout yearling equivalents, 755,700 rainbow trout spring yearlings, 556,755 brown trout spring yearlings and 240,000 Atlantic salmon spring yearlings.

Dec officials will discuss the stocking strategy during a March 18 online public meeting. That day the DEC will also release the stocking locations and fish for those sites.

“DEC continues to apply the best available science to maintain the world-class status of Lake Ontario’s fisheries, which attract anglers from around the globe,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “These changes to our Chinook salmon stocking strategy will enhance survival of stocked salmon and improve angling opportunities.”

DEC’s stocking site allocations of salmon and trout are decades old and largely proportioned by shoreline miles within DEC’s administrative regions bordering Lake Ontario. This proportional approach does not take into consideration fish movement studies, the benefits of pen rearing, and other factors that affect the success of the stocking program, including angler preferences, fishing effort, and geographic and seasonal differences in fish distribution.

DEC is currently working with the Lake Ontario Fisheries Management Focus Group, a panel of 16 anglers representing open lake and tributary fisheries, to modify trout and salmon stocking allocations to optimize the benefits of stocked fish to the overall sportfishery.

In 2020, DEC will concentrate Chinook salmon stocking at fewer sites to enhance post-stocking survival and improve open lake fisheries overall. This strategy will also enhance New York State’s late-summer staging fishery and existing tributary fisheries in key locations.

The online meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 18. Participants can use the following link to join the meeting: WebEx Meeting. Participants are directed to use the meeting number 647 538 274, password: Chinook2020.

Upon joining the meeting, participants will be prompted to connect to audio using their computer. To connect to audio via phone, use the following call-in information: toll free number 1-844-633-8697 and access code: 641 790 213.

Stocking information presented at the meeting will be posted on the DEC’s website the day of the meeting. Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to Steve LaPan, Great Lakes Fisheries Section Head, at 315-654-2147 or fwfishlo@dec.ny.gov.

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Photos by Darren McGee, Governor’s Office: Gov. Andrew Cuomo gives one of his daughters a ride on a snowmobile Sunday in the Adirondacks.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Sunday announced March 14-15 will be a free snowmobiling weekend for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers – a move that will further strengthen the winter tourism industry in the North Country and across New York. The Governor made the announcement before snowmobiling with his three daughters Cara, Mariah and Michaela at Saranac Lake.

“New York is home to more than 10,000 miles of some of the best snowmobiling trails in the nation, all with the backdrop of stunning natural beauty that has to be seen to believe,” Governor Cuomo said. “With this free snowmobiling weekend, we are encouraging visitors from far and wide to come to the North Country and points between, experience our great outdoor recreational activities for themselves and further strengthen New York’s booming tourism industry.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo promotes snowmobiling and tourism in the Adirondacks during a stop at the Hotel Saranac on Sunday.

During the promotional weekend, fees will be waived for visitors from out-of-state with properly registered and insured vehicles wishing to explore New York’s nearly 10,500 miles of snowmobile trails. I LOVE NEW YORK will promote the weekend by launching a digital and social media campaign targeting out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts. To further support the community this season, the State has awarded $4.2 million in local grants for snowmobile trail maintenance and grooming across New York.

The state’s snowmobiling community has a seasonal economic impact of $868 million according to a 2011 study by SUNY Potsdam. Winter tourism activities also support economic growth across the state, generating nearly $14.4 billion in direct visitor spending. The North Country attracted over 13 million visitors in 2018, up 21.6 percent since 2011, which has increased direct spending by more than 23 percent to $1.26 billion.

Participants in free snowmobiling weekend must operate a snowmobile with valid registration in their home state or Canadian Province, and must carry any applicable insurance as required by their home state or province. Non-New Yorkers who wish to use a snowmobile in New York State before or after this promotional weekend can use the NYS Registration for Out-of-State Snowmobile service to get a 15-day registration and operate their snowmobile here immediately. DMV will send a permanent registration in the mail.

The I LOVE NEW YORK social media campaign will supplement the overall $4 million winter tourism campaign currently underway, which features snowmobiling and a wide array of winter activities in television, print and digital advertising, public relations and social media initiatives, and other promotional efforts.

There are $4.2 million in local grants to support the maintenance of designated trails across the state for snowmobilers to safely enjoy, including $42,336 in Orleans County. The program is funded by snowmobile registration fees collected by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and deposited into the Snowmobile Trail Development and Maintenance Fund. County and municipal governments will distribute the grants to about 230 snowmobile clubs across the state, which in turn will groom and maintain the trails.

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Turkey Vultures were an unusual sight for the bird count

By Celeste Morien, Count Compiler

Photo by Celeste Morien: This Turkey Vulture is shown in the Oak Orchard Swamps, but not on the Christmas Bird Count day of Dec. 27. 

SHELBY – On December 27, 21 volunteers participated in the 52nd annual Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count.

The National Audubon Society, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, sponsor Christmas Bird Counts annually throughout the country and beyond in the Americas. Each count consists of a tally of all birds seen within a 15-mile diameter circle on one day that falls within a 15-day period at the end of December and the beginning of January. Audubon Christmas Counts have been taking place for 119 years and provide valuable information on the range expansion or narrowing of wintering bird populations.

The center for the Oak Orchard count is the point at which the Genesee-Orleans County line crosses Route 63. The 15-mile diameter circle includes the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Oak Orchard and Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Areas, the Tonawanda Native American Reservation, the townships of Alabama and Shelby, the villages of Indian Falls, Medina and Wolcottsville and portions of Middleport and Oakfield.

Count hours were warm and mild, with a low of 39F and high of 57F, both above the average daily temperature for the date of 34F. Both morning and afternoon were essentially precipitation free.

Our observers were afield in 14 parties from 6:30 a.m. until 5:50 p.m., and in 322.5 total hours covered 35 miles on foot and 504 miles by car! One observer counted birds at home feeders. Participants also clocked 4 nocturnal hours and 37 miles searching for owls. In total, these observers tallied 62 species. 13,248 individual birds were counted, which is an improvement over last year. Despite this year’s open water, because of a hard freeze in November most waterfowl had left the region by count day.

For the second year in a row, counters commented on difficulty finding sparrow species including low numbers of wintering Dark-eyed Juncos, American Tree Sparrows and other common sparrows. With the lack of snow, participants reported that birds were difficult to see in fields and were not present at the roadsides.

No irruptive species (those that visit in winter from the boreal forest when cone crops there are low) were noted this year, except for a few Red-breasted Nuthatches. Two notable highest counts ever were of 20 Bald Eagles (!) and 493 Herring Gulls. Turkey Vulture was the one “new to the count” species this year.

This female Ruby-crowned Kinglet was photographed by Jennifer Rycenga of San Mateo, CA. It was seen on Waterworks Road.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a Hermit Thrush, and a Yellow-rumped Warbler were all found lingering in the count area by our sharp-eyed participants. Count week birds seen in the three days before or after the count date were Tundra Swan, Hooded Merganser, Short-eared Owl, Savannah Sparrow and Turkey Vulture.

The Friends of Iroquois, Inc. sponsored evening refreshments at the refuge. The INWR Staff contribute time and effort in covering the refuge areas. The NYS DEC staff volunteered to report birds while on duty and conducted their winter raptor survey on count afternoon. Many thanks go out to everyone who participated! We rely on volunteer support every year to continue this important tradition.

A list of species follows:

• Canada Goose, 4,447; European Starling, 4,105; House Sparrow, 690; Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), 499; Herring Gull, 493; Mallard, 327;

• Ring-billed Gull, 307; Black-capped Chickadee; 287; American Crow, 270; Mourning Dove, 173; Red-winged Blackbird, 151; American Tree Sparrow, 142;

• Dark-eyed Junco, 140; Brown-headed Cowbird, 139; American Goldfinch, 127; Northern Cardinal, 109; Blue Jay, 102; Cedar Waxwing, 85; Downy Woodpecker, 83;

• White-Breasted Nuthatch, 73; House Finch, 62; Eastern Bluebird, 48; Wild Turkey, 48; Red-tailed Hawk, 47; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 46; American Black Duck, 31;

• Hairy Woodpecker, 30; Northern Flicker, 29; American Robin, 22; White-throated Sparrow, 21; Bald Eagle, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 17; Horned Lark, 10; Song Sparrow, 9;

• Brown Creeper, 9; Pileated Woodpecker, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5; Eastern Screech Owl, 5; Cooper’s Hawk, 5; Northern Harrier, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; American Kestral, 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Great Blue Heron, 3; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3;

• Carolina Wren, 2; Common Raven, 2; Merlin, 2; Great Horned Owl, 2; Common Merganser, 2;

• Yellow-Romped Warbler, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; and Barred Owl, 1.

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Press Release, Department of Environmental Conservation

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation invites the public to check out its Bureau of Fisheries’ expanded angler outreach programs at the upcoming Greater Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo, Jan. 17 to 19, at the Niagara Falls Conference and Event Center, 101 Old Falls St.

“DEC is pleased to increase our outreach efforts at this year’s Niagara Fishing and Outdoor Expo,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “This event provides an excellent opportunity for anglers to interact directly with the biologists who study and manage our Great Lakes and inland fisheries, and to talk one-on-one with fisheries managers about a variety of topics. New York offers numerous world-class fishing opportunities, and we invite anyone interested to come and learn more about the incredible sportfishing in New York’s Great Lakes region and beyond.”

Freshwater fishing in New York State is thriving and generates significant economic benefits to local economies. In 2017, anglers fished more than 3.1 million days on New York’s open Great Lakes waters, and an additional 850,000 days on Great Lakes tributaries. The combined economic impact exceeded $152 million in angler expenditures en route to and at fishing destinations. Anglers fished more than 1.3 million days on the Finger Lakes in 2017, generating a combined $29.9 million in expenditures.

In addition to its annual informational booth at the event, DEC will host abbreviated versions of the fisheries “State of the Lake” meetings for Lake Erie and Lake Ontario that are typically held in March and May. Meetings will feature emerging results about walleye movement, creel survey results, habitat work, prey base, and record catch rates.

Key members of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario fisheries management and research community will present information on management and assessment activities for prominent lake and tributary sport fisheries. Meeting times are:

State of Lake Ontario Fisheries meeting – Friday, Jan. 17, 6 to 7 p.m.

State of Lake Erie Fisheries meeting – Friday, Jan. 17, 7 to 8 p.m.

Billed as a top attraction at this year’s expo, DEC will host a unique “Open House” program on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which expo attendees can talk one-on-one with subject matter experts on a variety of the State’s fisheries management topics, including: Lake Ontario – open lake; Lake Ontario tributaries and Salmon River; Lake Erie and tributaries; Niagara River; St. Lawrence River; Great Lakes fish production and stocking; Finger Lakes; Recruiting more women to fishing; Trout stream management; and Environmental Law Enforcement.

To learn more about this event, visit the Niagara Fishing Expo website.

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Photo by Tom Rivers: About 1,000 toy turtles float down the Erie Canal in Albion during the Amazing Turtle Race in June 2015, an event which is part of the annual Albion Strawberry Festival.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is offering competitive sponsorships up to $500 for events or festivals taking place in the National Heritage Corridor from May through November 2020.

Applications are due by Feb. 20. Qualifying events must promote or celebrate the distinctive historic, cultural, scenic, or recreational resources of the canal corridor. Eligible applicants include municipalities and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.

Events that celebrate the bicentennial period (1817-1825), encourage use of the New York State Canalway Water Trail, or participation in the Canalway Challenge or inclusive recreation for people with accessibility needs will be given priority consideration.

For instructions and an online application, visit eriecanalway.org/resources/grants.

About the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves New York’s extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York. www.eriecanalway.org

About the New York State Canal Corporation

The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the New York State Canal System. The Canal Corporation’s mission is to operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor. For more information on the New York State Canal System and the Canal Corporation, please visit www.canals.ny.gov.

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