Rainbow emerges after downpour in Clarendon
CLARENDON – Bob Harker of Clarendon sent in this photo of a rainbow that appeared after a downpour in Clarendon on Oct. 2, 2016.
nature & waterways
2 congressmen continue opposition to lake-level plan
Photo by Tom Rivers: These boaters are out in lake Ontario near the Oak Orchard Harbor on June 30, 2016.
Press Release, Congressman Chris Collins
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman John Katko (NY-24) continued to voice their strong opposition to the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Plan for the 2016 Fiscal Year after receiving a briefing on Wednesday from federal officials involved in the plan’s implementation.
“The IJC’s Plan 2014 will devastate homeowners and businesses along Lake Ontario’s shoreline,” said Congressman Chris Collins, R-Clarence. “This plan is an example of government decision-making at its worst. The plan fails to take into account the devastating economic impact it will have on our lakeshore communities, and doesn’t adequately protect our eroding shore-line. I remain vehemently opposed to this ill-conceived plan and will do everything in my power to ensure it does not receive the funding needed for its implementation.”
“It is deeply disappointing that the Administration continues to push Plan 2014 without properly consulting with the people who would be most directly affected by it,” said Congressman John Katko, R-Camillus (near Syracuse). “My lakeshore constituents have voiced concerns for years about the potentially devastating impact this Plan could have on their communities, but have not had their concerns addressed, or even meaningfully acknowledged. Until the Administration directly addresses the concerns of my constituents, I will do everything in my power to stop Plan 2014.”
Staff Members from the Council on Environmental Quality, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Interior and the State Department were present at Wednesday’s briefing.
Also known as Plan 2014, the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Plan would require federal funds to increase the frequency by which Lake Ontario’s water levels are raised and lowered. Plan 2014 would raise the current maximum water levels by 2.4 inches, significantly increasing the annual costs of shoreline maintenance. Local residents are concerned about the negative impact this plan will have on Lake Ontario’s already rapidly deteriorating shoreline. These water level changes will also threaten the economic activities of residents, businesses, and farms which rely on consistent lake water levels.
Local legislators also reaffirmed their strong opposition to the plan.
“If Plan 2014 goes through, every taxpayer in our lakeshore counties will suffer because everyone has to make up the difference in the loss of sales tax revenue from our fishing industry, recreational boaters, and the devaluation of lakeshore property on the south shore of Lake Ontario,” said David Godfrey, Niagara County Legislator. “This is not only a shoreline issue; taxpayers will have to pay the price for this totally irresponsible plan.”
“The approval by the IJC (International Joint Commission) of Plan 2014 is government at its worst. The IJC did not listen to the voice of people,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislator. “This plan is going to be economically devastating for our entire area. There appears to be no interest from the IJC to assist with what will be the equivalent of a manmade disaster, with no economic mitigation to our lakeshore communities.”
“Plan 2014 is based on inconclusive data and speculation,” said Steve LeRoy, Sodus Town Supervisor and Chairman of Wayne County Board of Supervisors. “Hundreds of houses, roads, bridges, wastewater plants, public water lines and countless businesses have been built based on the current Order that was implemented nearly 60 years ago. No one person or group should feel so empowered that they could disregard that Order at this point in time and force massive hardship on our communities. Plan 2014 violates an international treaty, it places 100% of the losses on the south shore of Lake Ontario and if implemented, will guarantee a “man-made” multi-million dollar catastrophe. The possible benefits simply do not outweigh the inevitable losses.”
Big tugboat makes annual trek on Erie Canal
Photo by Tom Rivers
Albion – The tugboat Syracuse carries inspectors and officials from the State Canal Corp. on the Erie Canal in Albion on Sept. 14, 2016. The inspectors are headed east after passing under the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion. They were doing the annual inspection of lift bridges, locks, navigational aids, embankments and some other canal infrastructure.
Canal Corp. says lift bridges in good working order
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Tugboat Syracuse carries engineers and Canal Corp. officials, as well as local planning and tourism leaders, during an inspection of the canal system in Orleans County today. The tug is approaching the Ingersoll Street lift bridge.
ALBION – The lift bridges that are part of the Erie Canal may be 100 years old, installed when the canal was widened a century ago, but the spans remain in good working order, state Canal Corp. officials said today.
The Tug Syracuse is in Orleans County today for the annual canal inspection. It is pictured in Albion with the Main Street lift bridge in the background.
The Canal Corp. is doing its annual inspection of the system. Today, canal engineers and officials are checking all seven lift bridges in Orleans County, as well as two in Brockport.
Orleans Hub checked with canal officials at about noon, when the crew was in Albion. It still had to check bridges in Hulberton, Holley and Brockport.
The five lift bridges from Medina to Albion all passed the Canal Corp. inspection in flying colors.
“We’re very encouraged,” said John Callaghan, Deputy Director of the NYS Canal Corporation. “There is a lot of attention to detail. It’s really a tribute to the dedicated and talented workforce.”
The canal crew travels by the tugboat, Syracuse, and grades the embankment walls, spillways, navigation aids, locks and lift bridges. The canal officials also make notes of those with dock permits on the canal.
Callaghan said the lift bridges, despite their wear and tear, are still getting the job done. Employees apply grease and do lots of preventive maintenance to keep the hydraulics and mechanical systems in reliable shape.
The canal is approaching its 200th anniversary. It opened in 1825. It was widened from 1905 to 1918 and many of the bridges, guard gates, waste weir systems and other canal infrastructure remain in use today from the “Barge Canal” widening.
Callaghan said the state remains committed to canal’s maintenance and viability. “We have a working museum here,” he said about the canal. “It’s really special.”
The bridges’ deck and other structural elements are the responsibility of the state Department of Transportation. The Canal Corp. oversees the hydraulics, and infrastructure below ground.
The DOT plans to do a major rehab of the Main Street lift bridge in Albion in the near future. A specific timetable hasn’t been identified, Canal Corp. officials said today. The Knowlesville bridge also will be rehabbed by the DOT, although it’s not on the schedule yet.
The Syracuse heads east from Albion to its next stop in Hulberton. Along the way, canal officials will check embankments, spillways and navigational aids.
Hot weather in store for first week of school
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARKER – A boy enjoys the waning days of summer vacation by fishing from rocks on Lake Ontario at Lighthouse Christian Camp at sunset on Sunday evening in Barker.
This week will be hot as local children return to school. Kendall and Lyndonville start school on Tuesday, while Wednesday is the first day of school for Albion, Holley and Medina.
Tuesday will be sunny with a high of 85, followed by mostly sunny with a high near 90 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Thursday there is a chance for showers and thunderstorms with a high near 88, while Friday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 83.
This Jet Ski rider enjoys a trip on Lake Ontario on Sunday evening.
The sun is setting on summer.
Sunflowers add color to the landscape
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This sunflower is pictured on Aug. 31, 2016 in Albion after a heavy morning rain.
Quick storm and then a double rainbow
Photo courtesy of Katelyn Moore
BARRE – Katelyn Moore took this photo at about 5 p.m. today when a double rainbow emerged in the sky after a brief rainstorm hit the area. Moore took the photo on Gillette Road in Barre.
After a hot weekend with temperatures near 90 degrees, it will cool off a little early this week with highs locally of 80 on Monday, 82 on Tuesday and 80 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Mama Duck draws thousands to Buffalo waterfront
BUFFALO – A giant rubber duck visited Buffalo from Friday until later tonight. The 61-foot-high duck proved a phenomenon, drawing huge crowds to Buffalo’s waterfront.
I went to see “Mama Duck” this afternoon with two of my kids. Numerous selfies were taken by people of all ages.
Mama Duck visited Buffalo for the three-day Buffalo Maritime Festival. The duck, which visited Syracuse earlier this year, is now headed to Erie, Pa.
Maybe Mama Duck could come to Medina and the Canal Basin as part of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal construction.
Next year is the beginning of an eight-year bicentennial for the canal. Construction of the 363-mile canal started in 1817 and was complete in 1825.
New York State and the canal communities should be thinking of ways to celebrate the birth of the canal. The historic waterway brought prosperity and people to these canal towns, which retain much of the architectural splendor from the canal boom days.
Mama Duck would be welcome to join the celebration.
There is a lot that we could do as a community, without waiting for the state’s commemoration plans.
We might consider a public art project with fiberglass mules and oxen, animals that were instrumental in building the canal and moving freight.
Every year from 2017 to 2025 we could introduce one or two mules or oxen that would be placed in the canal towns to celebrate our canal history.
I like the idea of a bronze memorial to the quarrymen who worked in the Medina sandstone quarries. That was a massive industry in Orleans County for about a century, employing thousands. It brought immigrants from Italy, Poland, Britain and Ireland, and many of their descendants are residents and community leaders today.
Buffalo – with its rebirth on the waterfront with the original canal terminus – has proven the public enjoys history with some whimsy.
Woman catches fish of a lifetime to win OC Fishing Derby
Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – Julie Schaeffer and her husband Mike hold the 30-pound, 14-ounce Chinook salmon that Julie caught to win to the $4,000 grand prize in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. They are pictured Sunday at an awards program at the Carlton Recreation Hall.
The Schaeffers travelled 200 miles from Sligo, Pa. to fish in the derby. They have been coming to Orleans County to fish since the early 1980s. Mr. Schaeffer’s father Henry was a charter boat captain locally for 16 years. He also fished in the derby that ended Sunday and was on the leaderboard before being knocked out by a bigger fish.
In addition the grand prize, Julie Schaeffer, 58, took three other spots on the leaderboard with fifth place finishes for Chinook salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout. (Fifth place is good for $50 awards.)
The grand prize fish is the biggest she’s ever caught. She hooked the fish with a Dreamweaver spoon. She and her husband, who are both retired from a glass factory after more than three decades of work, were about 8 miles out in the lake in an area known as the “30 bar.”
The Schaeffers time their visit to Orleans County to coincide with the annual fishing derby, which started Aug. 6 and ended at 1 p.m. on Sunday. They also enjoy fishing trips to the Florida Keys.
“It’s relaxing being out on the water,” Mrs. Schaeffer said. “You never know what you’re going to catch.”
Her husband called her, “a fishing machine.”
Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator, serves as emcee at the awards program. Ed Fancher (left) is the derby’s treasurer. He is writing checks for the $8,800 in prize money that was given away.
There were 426 entries in the derby, which was down from 644 last year. Some bad weather, especially on the weekends, kept some anglers away. The derby is run by the Albion Rotary Club. It has been ongoing for about 35 years, making it one of the longest-lasting derbies on Lake Ontario.
The derby awards prizes in four divisions: Chinook salon, brown trout, rainbow trout and lake trout. The prizes include $500 for first, $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth. In addition, $200 goes to the Orleans County resident that catches the biggest fish.
Patrick Pullinzi of Hamlin holds the first place brown trout at 15 pounds, 7 ounces.
Other division leaders include: 30 pounds, 2 ounces for a Chinook caught by Tom Shatzer of Chambersburg, Pa.; Rainbow trout – 14 pounds, 1 ounce by Robert Griffith of Akron, Ohio; and Lake trout – 21 pounds, 1 ounce by Scott Bengsch of Webster.
Brian Snook (right) of Holley won biggest fish caught by an Orleans County resident (a $200 prize) with a 28-pound, 8-ounce Chinook, which was also third biggest Chinook overall. He is pictured with his brother Bill Silpoch of Holley who won the Orleans prize last year. Bill is holding Brian’s son, Jack Snook, 2.
To see the full leaderboard, click here.
Pennsylvania woman reclaims lead in OC Fishing Derby
Photo by Tom Rivers – Lake Ontario is pictured at sunset in this photo last week at Lighthouse Christian Camp in Barker.
A Pennsylvania woman is back in the lead for the $4,000 grand prize in the Orleans County Fishing Derby, which continues until Aug. 21.
Julie Schaeffer is atop the leaderboard with a Chinook salmon weighing 30 pounds, 14 ounces. Schaeffer of Sligo, Pa., led the derby briefly with a 27-pound, 4-ounce salmon. But she was passed by Tom Shatzer of Chambersburg, Pa., who caught a 30-pound, 2-ounce Chinook.
But Schaeffer on Friday became the second person in the derby to reel in a 30-pounder.
There are $8,800 in prizes up for grabs in the derby, which is organized by the Albion Rotary Club.
Divisions leaders earn $500 prizes. Shatzer was bumped from the grand prize of $4,000, but he now leads the Salmon Division and is in line for the $500 prize.
Other division leaders include: Rainbow Trout/Steelhead – 13 pounds, 5 ounces, caught by Donna Kaylor of Elmore, Ohio; Brown Trout – 15 pounds, 7 ounces, caught by Patrick Pullinzi of Hamlin; and Lake Trout – 14 pounds, 3 ounces, caught by Hunter Westcott of Hamlin.
The derby also includes a $200 bonus award for biggest fish caught by an Orleans County resident. Gerald Slack of Medina leads with a Chinook at 26 pounds, 13 ounces.
For more on the derby, click here.
Lighthouse is striking landmark for Lake Ontario
BARKER – The lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park, known as the Thirty Mile Point Light, was built in 1875, less than a mile west of the Orleans County line. Is it pictured Sunday evening during sunset.
Pheasants released after being raised by Orleans 4-H’ers
Photos by Kristina Gabalski These 15 chicks were gathered up from their temporary quarters on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds on Monday and transported to state Department of Environmental Conservation property in the swamps of northern Genesee County. Here they await their journey in a carrier.
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H’ers successfully raise and release pheasants as part of a program through the State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Fifteen young pheasants were released into the wild Monday afternoon by members of the Outback Orleans 4-H Club. The club participated for the first time this year in the DEC’s Cooperative Day-old Pheasant Chick Program.
Club leader Adam Hazel says the club received the chicks the first week of June and the young birds were cared for by 4-Hers and 4-H staff on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
“At first they had to be incubated with a heat lamp,” Hazel says. As the birds grew, “we had to build cages and stalls.”
The birds began flying by June 15 and most recently were kept in a large stall in the Knight’s Building on the fairgrounds. Hazel and club members gathered the 15, eight-week old chicks Monday evening and transported them to the DEC’s Wildlife Management Area on Albion Road in Oakfield, where they were released into the wild.
Hazel says the program helps to build the pheasant population. The young birds will eat insects now that they are in the wild. They were fed a high-protein chicken feed while being cared for by Outback Orleans.
According to the DEC, about 60,000 day-old chicks are hatched and distributed to cooperators through the chick program each year, including 30 Cooperative Extension 4-H programs. The birds must be released on lands open to public hunting.
Orleans County 4-H Outback Orleans club leader Adam Hazel removes the pheasant carrier from his vehicle just prior to release while club members look on.
Members of the Outback Orleans 4-H club released the young pheasants in a meadow area near woods on DEC property.
The pheasants were slow to leave the security of their carrier. Most walked into the tall grass while a few of the birds took flight upon leaving the carrier.
The area where the pheasant chicks were released is off Albion Road in Oakfield is part of a DEC Wildlife Management Area.
DEC issues first drought watch for NY since 2002
Residents asked to conserve water ‘whenever possible’
Photo by Tom Rivers Even the Courthouse Lawn in Albion, one of the most recognizable front yards in Orleans County, hasn’t escaped the effects of too little rain. The grass has turned yellow.
Press Release, DEC
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today issued a drought watch for the entire state of New York following consultation with the State Drought Management Task Force and Federal partner agencies.
“While most public water supplies are still generally normal throughout the state, below normal precipitation over the last 9 months, low stream flows, and reduced groundwater levels have prompted the need for this action,” Commissioner Seggos said. “We are encouraging residents throughout the state to conserve water whenever possible during the coming months.”
A watch is the first of four levels of state drought advisories (“watch,” “warning,” “emergency” and “disaster”). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch.
However, local public water suppliers may require such measures depending upon local needs and conditions. The last drought watch in New York State was issued in 2002.
The drought watch is triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects precipitation levels, reservoir/lake levels, and stream flow and groundwater levels in nine designated drought regions throughout New York. Each of these indicators is assigned a weighted value based on its significance to various uses in a region.
Observed precipitation has been less than normal with shortfalls of 4 to 8 inches common over the last 90 days. The dry weather dates back to the Oct. 1 start of the “water year” and is beginning to significantly affect other water metrics. Stream flows and groundwater levels are well below normal throughout much of the state.
Groundwater levels were seasonally worse in June compared to May and they are not expected to improve in the immediate future due to the existing precipitation deficit.
The following are some conservation tips that homeowners can take to voluntarily reduce their water usage:
• Fix dripping and leaking faucets and toilets. A faucet leaking 30 drops per minute wastes 54 gallons a month.
• Raise your lawn mower cutting height. Longer grass needs less water.
• If your community allows watering, water lawns and gardens on alternate mornings instead of every day. Less frequent watering will develop grass with deeper roots, and early morning watering minimizes evaporation.
• When using automatic lawn watering systems, override the system in wet weather or use a rain gauge to control when and how much water to use. A fixed watering schedule wastes water. Irrigate only when needed.
• Sweep sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them. Eliminating a weekly 5-minute pavement hose-down could save between 625 and 2500 gallons of water per year depending on the flow rate.
“Conserving water is important all year long, but particularly during extended dry periods,” Commissioner Seggos said. “By voluntarily reducing water usage, and being extra careful with fire and outdoor flames, New Yorkers can help conserve our natural resources during these dry days of summer.”
Bald eagle hangs out near Shadigee
Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons
YATES – A juvenile bald eagle was photographed this morning by Paul Salmons from his home at the end of North Lyndonville Road on Wescott Lane, an area near the Shadigee by Lake Ontario.
Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons
Salmons said many of his neighbors have spotted the eagle in recent months dining on fish from the lake.
Photo courtesy of Paul Salmons
“Such a beautiful bird,” Salmons wrote in an email.
Ortt applauds governor for waiver process to allow charitable duck races on Canal
Photo by Tom Rivers – The Turtle mingles with the crowd in Albion during last month’s Strawberry Festival. Albion has an Amazing Turtle Race during the festival, featuring about 1,000 toy turtles on the Erie Canal.
Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt
State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo and local organizations for their efforts to preserve the traditions and benefits of events like charitable duck derby races.
Ortt recently introduced legislation that would allow games of chance, including raffles, to be conducted on state-owned property. The New York State Gaming Commission recently interpreted such games to be a violation of state law. The Governor on Tuesday announced a waiver approval process to allow organizations to hold charitable gaming fundraisers on the state-owned Erie Canal.
“I applaud the Governor for listening to local officials and organizations on this important issue,” said Senator Ortt. “This was an example of an antiquated and illogical law that had been on the books for years but was scarcely enforced. Events like the duck derbies were raising money for good causes, not malice, and organizations were about to suddenly be penalized for that solely because those events are being held on state property. I’m thankful that a commitment to common sense and charity won the day.”
Ortt, along with local officials, reacted to the cancellation of a duck derby fundraiser in Brockport after state Gaming Commission officials said it violated gaming laws and regulations. The derby, which has been a summer staple for the Brockport Arts Festival for years, consists of raffled toy ducks floating down the Erie Canal, which is state property.
Under the recent interpretation of state law, organizations could only hold games of chance or raffle events on their own property or on municipal-owned property, not state property. Cuomo on Tuesday indicated that the state would not follow that interpretation and enforce violations, allowing the raffles to continue.
