File photos by Tom Rivers – Toy turtles float down the Erie Canal in June 2015 during “The Amazing Turtle Race,” a fund-raiser that benefits the Albion Strawberry Festival.

Press Release, State Sen. Rob Ortt

State Senator Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) today announced legislation he is introducing that would allow games of chance to be conducted on state-owned property. Games of chance include raffles like the popular duck derby races that many times are held on the state-owned canal – a violation of current state law.

“Some of the laws in New York State are antiquated and illogical; this general municipal law (189) is one of them,” said Senator Ortt. “Events like the duck derbies are raising money for good causes, not malice, and organizations should not be penalized for that just because those events are being held on state property. This law has been on the books for a long time, yet it’s scarcely enforced.”

Albion also has a popular fund-raiser on the Erie Canal, using turtles instead of ducks. Volunteers get ready to corral the turles in this photo from last month’s race. Nearly 1,000 of the turtles “race” every June in the fund-raiser that helps pay for the Strawberry Festival.

This legislation is in response 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 current state law, organizations can only hold games of chance or raffle events on their own property or on municipal-owned property. Organizations conducting charitable gaming on state property can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Municipalities urged to apply for funding

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Brown Street Bridge in Albion has been closed to traffic for about four years. The bridge was closed on July 18, 2012 by the state Department of Transportation after an inspection showed serious deterioration of major elements of the steel truss floor system. It is one of several canal bridges in Orleans County that are either closed or have had the weight restrictions lowered. There is no timetable for working on the Brown Street Bridge.

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the availability of $200 million in enhanced assistance for local governments over the next two years to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts statewide.

This funding, provided through the Governor’s BRIDGE NY initiative, is being administered by the New York State Department of Transportation as part of its $21.1 billion five-year Capital Plan.

The BRIDGE NY program provides emphasis on projects that address poor structural conditions; mitigate weight restrictions or long detours; facilitate economic development or increase competitiveness; and/or reduce the risk of flooding.

“Modernizing and improving transportation infrastructure is a vital component of enhancing New York’s economic competitiveness,” Governor Cuomo said. “By helping local governments make investments to ensure the safety and reliability of their bridges, the BRIDGE NY program will literally strengthen our communities and bolster their viability.”

The $200 million in BRIDGE NY funding is available to all municipalities authorized to receive and administer State and federal transportation funding. Awards will be made through a competitive process and will support all phases of project development including design, right-of-way and construction. Evaluations will be based on the resiliency of the structure, the current bridge and culvert structural conditions, and the significance and importance of the bridge based on traffic volumes, detour considerations, the number and types of businesses served and the overall impact on commerce.

Applications for BRIDGE NY funding will be accepted through September 9, 2016. Applications may be found by clicking here.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said, “As a former mayor and councilor, I recognize that local bridges matter. Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the State is taking the steps necessary to ensure that our diverse economic regions continue to grow and compete nationally and internationally.”

“Our association has been a strong advocate for an increased multi-year funding commitment from the state for the local transportation system, one that specifically includes culvert rehabilitation and replacement,” said Tracy J. Eldridge, president of the New York State County Highway Superintendents Association. “With these BRIDGE NY funds available, my colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the Department of Transportation to improve the condition, safety and functionality of our aging and ailing local bridge and culvert infrastructure for the benefit of our communities and the traveling public.”

HULBERTON – The State Canal Corporation plans a bigger fix to a culvert in Hulberton after the canal boating season ends on Nov. 20, Canal Corporation officials said.

The Canal Corporation and contractor C.P. Ward of Scottsville made a temporary repair to a leaking culvert that allowed the canal to be reopened. A section was closed between Middleport and Brockport for about a week.

“For the temporary repairs that were completed this week, sheet piling was installed into the north and south embankments around the culvert to stabilize them and grout (cement) was pumped into the void areas, essentially plugging the leak,” Shane Mahar, Canal Corp. spokesman, said in an email, describing the work that was done.

The Canal Corp. had warned it could take several weeks to make the temporary fix during the height of the canal boating season.

“The full and complete repair is being designed by our engineers,” Mahar said. “We expect those repairs to be completed during the non-navigation season.”

Brian Stratton, the Canal Corp. director, said a “multi-agency response” allowed the canal to reopen ahead of the initial predictions.

HULBERTON – The New York State Canal Corporation has announced that temporary repairs to a section of the Erie Canal, approximately 500 yards west of the Hulberton Lift Bridge in the Town of Murray, have been completed allowing for the Canal to re-open effective Sunday between the villages of Brockport and Middleport.

“This temporary repair enables the Canal Corporation to re-open the Erie Canal with the least possible impact to the summer boating season, as well as to the local farmers who depend on Canal water for irrigation,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Erie Canal is an economic engine for tourism and this expedited repair, accomplished through a multi-agency response, gives mariners the opportunity to visit their favorite villages and towns on the Canal without further interruption.”

Engineers from the New York State Department of Transportation developed a temporary repair plan that was executed on an expedited schedule by C.P. Ward of Scottsville.

“I would like to thank the dedicated teams from the DOT and Canal Corporation for coming together to quickly address these emergency repairs,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. “The expertise from multiple state agencies helped ensure safety and minimize the need for a long term closure for all users of the canal.”

This section of the Erie Canal provides vital irrigation to 25 farms and two commercial golf courses. The accelerated repairs have allowed for minimal disruption to the agricultural growing season.

“We thank the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation and the Department of Transportation for their quick response to the situation and for their partnership in identifying a solution that had a minimal impact on the area’s farmers,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “There are more than two dozen farms in the region that rely on the Canal for irrigation, so we are grateful repairs have been completed so quickly and efficiently.”

The detour on the Erie Canalway Trail from the Hulberton Lift Bridge to approximately 3,500 feet west of the lift bridge will remain in effective until Tuesday, July 5, 2016.

The Canal Corporation appreciates the public’s patience and understanding while this necessary maintenance work was completed, spokesman Shane Mahar said.

POINT BREEZE – A group of boaters, including many with sailboats, were out Thursday evening in Lake Ontario near the Oak Orchard Harbor. The sailboats have a friendly race most Thursday evenings.

Today there will be a high of 76 with showers likely between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Saturday will be sunny with a high of 75, followed by more sun and high of 79 on Sunday. Monday, July 4, will be sunny with a high near 82, according to the Weather Service.

A chair is pictured in a backyard at Oak Orchard on the Lake.

This boater heads back to the harbor on Thursday evening.

It was another striking sunset at Point Breeze.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The State Canal Corporation lowered the guard gates in Brockport and Middleport at 6 p.m. on Sunday to begin draining a section of the canal. This photo was taken at about 10 a.m. this morning, showing the Main Street lift bridge in Albion. There was still a lot of water in the canal, but that will soon change.

The canal needs to be drained so emergency repairs can be made to a culvert in Hulberton. The Canal Corporation has hired contractor C.P. Ward of Scottsville. The construction has mobilized and is on site, said Shane Mahar, spokesman for the Canal Corporation.

“We’ll know the schedule of refilling between Middleport and Albion later this week,” Mahar said in an email. “Also, overall project timeline is still TBD – won’t know 100-percent until the contractor actually starts doing the repair.”
The problems with the culvert, about 500 yards west of the lift bridge, were discovered during a routine inspection. The Canal Corporation’s team of experts determined the repairs couldn’t be put off until after the canal boating season, Mahar said.

After the canal is drained between Brockport and Middleport and preliminary construction work is started, the canal between Middleport and Albion will be refilled with water.

However, a 15-mile section of the canal between the Albion Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Albion) and the Brockport Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Brockport) will remain de-watered until repairs are complete.

Photo by Tom Rivers – A fisherman is pictured at Point Breeze in this photo from May 3, 2015.

Press Release, Gov. Cuomo’s Office

Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced free fishing days in New York State, inviting residents and visitors to explore more of New York State by participating in the sport as part of the NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative.

During these special days, including this weekend, New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license in any of the state’s 7,500 lakes and ponds, or its 70,000 miles of rivers and streams during this time.

“New York has some of the best fishing in the nation, and with our Free Fishing Days program, we’re making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to come out and experience all that our waters have to offer,” Cuomo said. “This is an excellent time to introduce friends and family to the many excellent places to fish in virtually every corner of this state.”

Based on the popularity of the June free fishing period, Cuomo has also designated November 11, 2016 (Veterans Day) and February 18-19, 2017 as free fishing days. Saltwater anglers may also fish in marine waters or for migratory marine fish species without enrolling in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry during free fishing days.

“Fishing is a proud tradition in New York State, and we’re thrilled to offer more free opportunities for residents and visitors alike to get out on our waters and enjoy angling throughout the calendar year,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Fishing in New York State not only provides recreational enjoyment but is a vital economic generator, supporting local economies statewide.”

New York’s sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity annually, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs.

Under the 2016-17 budget, Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative provides $3 million for State land access projects and $4 million for hunting and fishing infrastructure. The 2015-16 budget also created a new capital account, which, along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds, will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat and will improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.

This year’s commitment builds on the previous $6 million in funding for 50 new projects to provide access to approximately 380,000 acres of existing State lands for recreation, including boat launches, bird-watching areas, trails and hunting blinds, and $8 million for upgrades and improvements to fish hatcheries statewide.

In addition to the Free Fishing Days program, the Governor’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative will now allow organizations and groups to conduct individual free fishing events. These events must meet Department’s guidelines designed to ensure that the events are educational in focus. Participants in these events do not need a license to fish and are not required to enroll in the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry.

Anglers are reminded that although a fishing license is not required during the free fishing day weekend, or free fishing events, all other fishing regulations remain in effect.

The free fishing events give people a chance to try the thrilling sport of fishing at no cost, and people are encouraged to support the sport by purchasing a New York State fishing license. To learn more, click here.

For a listing of all free fishing events, including those conducted during free fishing days, please visit the DEC website by clicking here.

Closure expected to last several weeks

Photos by Tom Rivers – The State Canal Corp. has posted a detour on the towpath for a section just west of the lift bridge so emergency repairs can be made to a culvert.

HULBERTON – The Erie Canal will be drained between Brockport and Middleport beginning on June 27 so emergency repairs can be made to a culvert in Hulberton. The Canal Corporation estimates the canal closure will last several weeks.

The problems with the culvert, about 500 yards west of the lift bridge, were discovered during a routine inspection. The Canal Corp. has spent the past three days discussing how to address the situation with its engineering team and a consultant, Bergmann Associates.

The team of experts determined the repairs can’t be put off until after the canal boating season, said Shane Mahar, canal spokesman.

The Canal Corp. wants to fix the culvert so there isn’t a bigger problem, including the potential for a blowout.

A tender heads east on the canal towards the lift bridge in Hulberton. The canal will be drained in this section beginning on June 27.

“It’s not ideal,” Mahar said about draining a section of the canal at the start of the summer boating season. “But our team of experts believes it is necessary or it could lead to bigger problems.”

After the canal is drained between Brockport and Middleport and preliminary construction work is started, the canal between Middleport and Albion will be refilled with water.

However, a 15-mile section of the canal between the Albion Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Albion) and the Brockport Guard Gate (just west of the Village of Brockport) will remain de-watered until repairs are complete.

Mahar said the Canal Corp. is putting off dewatering the section for about 10 days so contractors can be mobilized and boaters given notice to plan their navigational trips.

An advisory from the Canal Corporation states:

“Residents who live along the Erie Canal in the immediate vicinity of the culvert repair work are safe. Local mariners are advised to remove their vessels from the Canal prior to Sunday, June 26, 2016.

“The Canal Corporation will assist in towing boats outside of the above referenced closure area if requested by the owners, but shall not be responsible for any damage to vessels, as a result of towing or that are not removed from the Canal prior to the closure.

“Effective immediately, a detour on the Erie Canalway Trail from the Hulberton Lift Bridge to approximately 3,500 feet west of the lift bridge is in effect utilizing Canal Road on the north side of the Canal. Users of the trail should follow the posted detour signs.

“Mariners seeking information on alternative routes should contact the Canal Corporation at 518-471-5014.”
Several farms have permits to siphon water from the canal in the 15-mile stretch. Mahar said the Canal Corp. will work with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to make sure farms are notified.

The Canal Corporation appreciates the public’s patience and understanding while this maintenance work is completed, Mahar said.