TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section                                                                                                                                        Page

 

  1.0      INTRODUCTION.. PAGEREF _Toc79716068 \h 1-1

1.1      Scope and Content of the Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716069 \h 1-1

1.1.1     Requirements of the Project License. PAGEREF _Toc79716070 \h 1-2

1.1.2     FERC Policies Regarding Use of Project Lands and Waters. PAGEREF _Toc79716071 \h 1-3

1.2      Public Participation in the Development of the Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716072 \h 1-3

1.2.1     Relationship to the Comprehensive Relicensing Settlement Accord. PAGEREF _Toc79716073 \h 1-4

1.2.2     Involvement of State and Federal Agencies. PAGEREF _Toc79716074 \h 1-5

1.2.3     Public Consultation Process. PAGEREF _Toc79716075 \h 1-5

 

2.0      LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. PAGEREF _Toc79716076 \h 2-1

2.1      Use of Project Lands. PAGEREF _Toc79716077 \h 2-1

2.2      Public Access and Recreation. PAGEREF _Toc79716078 \h 2-1

2.3      Protection of Natural Resources. PAGEREF _Toc79716079 \h 2-2

2.4      Protection of Historic Properties. PAGEREF _Toc79716080 \h 2-2

2.5      Project Operation, Maintenance and Security. PAGEREF _Toc79716081 \h 2-2

 

3.0      DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LANDS AND RESOURCES. PAGEREF _Toc79716082 \h 3-1

3.1      Project Facilities and Operations. PAGEREF _Toc79716083 \h 3-1

3.1.1     Project Boundary. PAGEREF _Toc79716084 \h 3-1

3.1.2     Project Facilities. PAGEREF _Toc79716085 \h 3-1

a.     Dams. PAGEREF _Toc79716086 \h 3-1

b.     Dikes. PAGEREF _Toc79716087 \h 3-2

3.1.3     Project Operations. PAGEREF _Toc79716088 \h 3-3

3.1.4     Project Security. PAGEREF _Toc79716089 \h 3-4

3.2      Land Use. PAGEREF _Toc79716090 \h 3-4

3.2.1     Project Lands. PAGEREF _Toc79716091 \h 3-4

3.2.2     Adjoining Lands. PAGEREF _Toc79716092 \h 3-5

a.     Town and Village of Waddington. PAGEREF _Toc79716093 \h 3-5

b.     Town of Louisville. PAGEREF _Toc79716094 \h 3-5

3.3      Recreational Resources. PAGEREF _Toc79716095 \h 3-6

3.3.1     Robert Moses State Park. PAGEREF _Toc79716096 \h 3-8

3.3.2     Coles Creek State Park. PAGEREF _Toc79716097 \h 3-8

3.3.3     Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area. PAGEREF _Toc79716098 \h 3-8

3.3.4     Local Recreational Facilities. PAGEREF _Toc79716099 \h 3-9

3.4      Aesthetic Resources. PAGEREF _Toc79716100 \h 3-9

3.5      Natural Resources. PAGEREF _Toc79716101 \h 3-10

3.5.1     Management Areas. PAGEREF _Toc79716102 \h 3-11

a.     Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area. PAGEREF _Toc79716103 \h 3-11

b.     Habitat Improvement Projects. PAGEREF _Toc79716104 \h 3-11

3.5.2     Other Natural Resource Areas. PAGEREF _Toc79716105 \h 3-14

a.     Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat PAGEREF _Toc79716106 \h 3-14

b.     Significant Ecological Communities. PAGEREF _Toc79716107 \h 3-15

c.     Potential Local Wildlife Corridors. PAGEREF _Toc79716108 \h 3-16

d.     Rare, Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Habitat PAGEREF _Toc79716109 \h 3-17

e.     Rare, Threatened or Endangered Plant Habitat PAGEREF _Toc79716110 \h 3-21

3.6      Historic Properties. PAGEREF _Toc79716111 \h 3-21

 

4.0      MANAGEMENT OF PROJECT LANDS. PAGEREF _Toc79716112 \h 4-1

4.1      Project Lands Managed by Other Entities. PAGEREF _Toc79716113 \h 4-1

4.1.1     NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. PAGEREF _Toc79716114 \h 4-1

4.1.2     NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. PAGEREF _Toc79716115 \h 4-2

4.1.3     St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. PAGEREF _Toc79716116 \h 4-3

4.1.4     Municipalities (Local Recreation Areas) PAGEREF _Toc79716117 \h 4-3

4.1.5     Commercial Entities. PAGEREF _Toc79716118 \h 4-3

4.1.6     Right-of-Way Management by Others. PAGEREF _Toc79716119 \h 4-3

4.2      Project Lands Managed By the New York Power Authority. PAGEREF _Toc79716120 \h 4-4

4.2.1     Project Structures and Facilities. PAGEREF _Toc79716121 \h 4-4

a.     Project Lands with Restricted Access. PAGEREF _Toc79716122 \h 4-4

b.     Dikes. PAGEREF _Toc79716123 \h 4-5

c.     Rights-of-Way Maintenance. PAGEREF _Toc79716124 \h 4-5

4.2.2     Project Lands Subject to Special Considerations. PAGEREF _Toc79716125 \h 4-5

a.     Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat PAGEREF _Toc79716126 \h 4-6

b.     Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species Habitat PAGEREF _Toc79716127 \h 4-6

c.     Areas of Dense Residential Development PAGEREF _Toc79716128 \h 4-6

4.3      Non-Project Use of Project Lands. PAGEREF _Toc79716129 \h 4-7

4.3.1     Permitted Uses. PAGEREF _Toc79716130 \h 4-8

4.3.2     Prohibited Uses. PAGEREF _Toc79716131 \h 4-8

4.4      Guidelines for Private Shoreline Improvements. PAGEREF _Toc79716132 \h 4-9

4.4.1     Boathouses. PAGEREF _Toc79716133 \h 4-9

4.4.2     Private Docks. PAGEREF _Toc79716134 \h 4-10

4.4.3     Shoreline Stabilization. PAGEREF _Toc79716135 \h 4-11

4.4.4     Other Improvements. PAGEREF _Toc79716136 \h 4-11

4.5      Guidelines for Commercial Uses. PAGEREF _Toc79716137 \h 4-11

4.6      Permits and Enforcement PAGEREF _Toc79716138 \h 4-12

4.6.1     Permits Administered by the New York Power Authority. PAGEREF _Toc79716139 \h 4-13

a.     Privilege Permits. PAGEREF _Toc79716140 \h 4-13

b.     General Permits. PAGEREF _Toc79716141 \h 4-13

c.     Mooring Area Permits. PAGEREF _Toc79716142 \h 4-14

d.     Agricultural Permits. PAGEREF _Toc79716143 \h 4-14

e.     Permit Requiring Insurance. PAGEREF _Toc79716144 \h 4-14

4.6.2     Permitting Process. PAGEREF _Toc79716145 \h 4-14

4.6.3     Enforcement and Penalties. PAGEREF _Toc79716146 \h 4-17

4.6.4     Compliance Reporting. PAGEREF _Toc79716147 \h 4-17

 

5.0      RELATIONSHIP OF LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN TO OTHER PLANS. PAGEREF _Toc79716148 \h 5-1

5.1      Other New York Power Authority Plans. PAGEREF _Toc79716149 \h 5-1

5.1.1     Shoreline Stabilization Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716150 \h 5-1

5.1.2     Vegetation Management Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716151 \h 5-1

5.1.3     Wildlife Protection and Management Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716152 \h 5-2

5.1.4     Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716153 \h 5-2

5.1.5     Habitat Improvement Projects. PAGEREF _Toc79716154 \h 5-3

5.1.6     Recreation Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716155 \h 5-3

5.1.7     Historic Properties Management Plan. PAGEREF _Toc79716156 \h 5-4

5.2      Consistency with Local Plans. PAGEREF _Toc79716157 \h 5-4

5.2.1     Zoning and Subdivision Regulations. PAGEREF _Toc79716158 \h 5-5

a.     Town of Waddington Development Code. PAGEREF _Toc79716159 \h 5-5

b.     Village of Waddington. PAGEREF _Toc79716160 \h 5-5

c.     Town of Louisville. PAGEREF _Toc79716161 \h 5-6

d.     Town of Massena. PAGEREF _Toc79716162 \h 5-6

5.2.2     Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (Waddington) PAGEREF _Toc79716163 \h 5-6

5.3      New York State Coastal Management Program.. PAGEREF _Toc79716164 \h 5-7

 

GLOSSARY

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

 

Table No.                                                                                                                                   Page

 

  Table 3-1:  Recreational Sites and Facilities within the Project Boundary. PAGEREF _Toc77581749 \h 3-7

Table 3-2:  High Quality Viewscapes within the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project Area. PAGEREF _Toc77581750 \h 3-10

Table 3-3:  Summary of Proposed HIPs to Primarily Benefit Aquatic Species. PAGEREF _Toc77581751 \h 3-12

Table 3-4:  Summary of Proposed HIPs to Primarily Benefit Wildlife Species. PAGEREF _Toc77581752 \h 3-13

Table 3-5: Threatened, Endangered, and Special Concern Wildlife Species at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project PAGEREF _Toc77581753 \h 3-18

 

 

 

 

LIST OF FIGURES

 

Figure 3-1:  Land Use and Land Cover

Figure 3-2:  Areas of Dense Residential Development

Figure 3-3:  Recreation Resources

Figure 3-4:  Areas of Environmental Sensitivity

 

 

 

 

LIST OF APPENDICES

 

Appendix A      License Articles Regarding Land Management

Appendix B      Project Boundary Maps (Exhibit G)

Appendix C      Vegetation Management Plan

Appendix D      Wildlife Protection and Management Plan

Appendix E      General Permit Form

           

 

 

On October 23, 2003, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission” or “FERC”) issued a new license to the New York Power Authority (“NYPA”) for the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project (“Project”) on the St. Lawrence River in New York. On November 25, 2003 NYPA accepted the license. The Project includes the portion of the International St. Lawrence Power Project owned by NYPA, encompassing all or portions of four dams, associated generating facilities, dikes, and the U.S. portion of Lake St. Lawrence. The Project lands encompass approximately 8,760 acres in the towns of Waddington, Louisville and Massena, and the Village of Waddington and approximately 200 miles of shoreline including the mainland, tributaries and islands within the Project boundary.

 

In accordance with the Project license, NYPA is required to control lands necessary for the operation of the Project and to provide for public recreation and the protection of environmental, cultural and aesthetic resources associated with the Project. NYPA has developed this Land Management Plan to establish the guidelines and procedures that will enable the Authority to meet these requirements.

 

1.1              Scope and Content of the Plan

 

The Land Management Plan for the St. Lawrence – FDR Power Project is founded on a series of goals and objectives governing the use of Project lands and responsibilities regarding continued operation and maintenance of the Project facilities, public access to Project lands, recreation, and protection of natural and cultural resources. The Land Management Plan provides an inventory and description of Project lands and resources and presents guidance for the management and use of Project lands, including lands managed by other state agencies, municipalities, and commercial entities. This Plan identifies those activities and uses that require permits from NYPA and describes the process through which those permits can be obtained. This Plan also identifies prohibited uses and activities. Finally, the Land Management Plan summarizes the various natural resource, cultural resource and recreation management plans prepared by NYPA to implement the requirements of the license and describes how these plans relate to the Land Management Plan. Local zoning and development codes and coastal management plans are also summarized and discussed relative to NYPA’s Land Management Plan.

 

The preparation and content of this Land Management Plan adheres to the requirements of the Project license as well as to the policies and guidance of FERC with regard to land management activities for FERC-licensed hydroelectric projects.

 

1.1.1        Requirements of the Project License

 

Article 413 of the Project license requires NYPA to develop a Land Management Plan for Project lands (see Appendix A). According to Article 413, the Land Management Plan shall “identify Project lands and all associated buffer zones, and shall establish guidelines for the use of these lands, including public access, construction activities, the protection and preservation of wildlife habitats and scenic and cultural resources, and commercial uses.” Article 413 also provides that NYPA shall “have the authority to issue permits to the public or to State or Federal agencies for proposed Project land uses that are consistent with the guidelines of the Land Management Plan, and that cover, at a minimum, construction, maintenance, and operation of water-dependent structures, and any existing structures and uses.”

 

Article 413 of the Project license specifies the consultation process that is required as part of the preparation of the Land Management Plan, including the documentation of comments received during the consultation process and the resolution of those comments. Article 413 also specifies compliance reporting requirements for land management activities and sets forth the responsibilities of NYPA with regard to the issuance, monitoring and enforcement of any land use permits that are issued in accordance with the Land Management Plan.

 

Other articles of the Project license also include requirements that relate to land management activities on Project lands. Article 401 requires the preparation of a Shoreline Stabilization Plan and defines the consultation process to be undertaken for the preparation of that plan. Article 409 requires the implementation and maintenance of the Habitat Improvement Projects identified in the Ecological Settlement Agreement and outlines public consultation and compliance reporting requirements. Article 411 requires the preparation of an implementation plan for the design, construction, monitoring, operation, and maintenance of the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (Wilson Hill WMA) improvement projects. Article 422 pertains to the implementation of a Historic Properties Management Plan. These other plans and their relationship to this Land Management Plan are discussed further in Section 5 of this document.

 

 

1.1.2        FERC Policies Regarding Use of Project Lands and Waters

 

FERC has long recognized the need to manage lands associated with hydroelectric projects to protect non-power resources, including fish and wildlife resources, aesthetics, historic properties, water quality, and recreation. Section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act, as amended by the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, requires that FERC, when issuing a license for hydroelectric projects, give “equal consideration to the purposes of energy conservation, the protection, mitigation of, damage to, and enhancement of, fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat), the protection of recreational opportunities, and the preservation of other aspects of environmental quality.”

 

FERC encourages licensees to manage shoreline areas through the incorporation of specific license provisions, and has issued a guidance document titled: Guidance for Shoreline Management Planning at Hydropower Projects (April 2001) to assist licensees in the preparation of management plans. That document has been consulted in the preparation of this Plan.

 

Article 423 of the Project license (included in Appendix A) authorizes the Authority to grant permission, without prior Commission approval, for certain types of use and occupancy of Project lands as long as “the proposed use and occupancy is consistent with the purposes of protecting and enhancing the scenic, recreational and other environmental values of the Project.” The specified types of use and occupancy for which the Authority may grant permission are landscape plantings, non-commercial docks or similar structures intended to serve single family dwellings, erosion control structures, and food plots or other wildlife enhancement. Article 423 also outlines the responsibilities of the Authority with regard to supervision and control of any permitted use and occupancy, including the right to cancel the permission and require the removal of any non-complying structures and facilities.

 

1.2              Public Participation in the Development of the Plan

 

This Land Management Plan reflects extensive public involvement that was initiated in 1996 as part of NYPA’s relicensing effort for the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. As mandated in License Article 413, public involvement efforts continued through the preparation and filing of this Plan. The following sections describe the public involvement process that was undertaken during the preparation of this Plan.

 

 

1.2.1        Relationship to the Comprehensive Relicensing Settlement Accord

 

The public involvement process culminated in the filing of a Comprehensive Relicensing Settlement Accord (“Comprehensive Accord”) with FERC on February 6, 2003. In its October 23, 2003 Order issuing NYPA the new license, FERC approved the Comprehensive Accord (with minor modifications not relevant to this Plan). The Comprehensive Accord was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the National Park Service (NPS), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Department of State (DOS), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), the St. Lawrence Aquarium and Ecological Center Inc., and New York Rivers United. The Comprehensive Accord was also signed by the St. Lawrence Local Government Task Force, an association comprised of the following member entities:

 

·        St. Lawrence County

·        Town of Louisville

·        Town of Lisbon

·        Town of Massena

·        Town of Waddington

·        Village of Massena

·        Village of Waddington

·        Lisbon Central School District

·        Madrid Waddington Central School District

·        Massena Central School District

 

In the Comprehensive Accord, NYPA agreed to develop a Land Management Plan that would “establish guidelines for public access to Project lands, construction activities within the Project boundary, use of motorized recreational vehicles on Project lands and use of Project lands for appropriate commercial activities that are dependant upon either access to or proximity of Project waters.”[1] Specific minimum provisions for the Land Management Plan were included in the Local Government Task Force Agreement[2], one of five individual agreements between NYPA and the signatories to the Comprehensive Accord. The land management provisions of the Comprehensive Accord are reflected in Article 413 of the Project license. This Plan reflects the principles for management of Project lands and associated resources developed through the relicensing, and satisfies the obligations of NYPA with regard to the preparation of a Land Management Plan as required by the Project license and consistent with the Comprehensive Accord.

The Land Management and Recreation Subcommittee was organized during the relicensing effort to facilitate resolution of land management issues related to the relicensing and continued operation of the Project. The Land Management and Recreation Subcommittee addressed issues pertaining to interests of adjoining landowners, shoreline erosion, and general land management principles that were eventually incorporated in the Comprehensive Accord.

 

1.2.2        Involvement of State and Federal Agencies

 

State and federal agencies with a management interest in the Project lands were consulted throughout the preparation of the Land Management Plan. These agencies included the following:

 

·        New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

·        New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

·        New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources

·        U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

·        U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs

·        National Park Service

 

An initial draft of the Land Management Plan was distributed to federal, state and local agencies in July 2004 to solicit their comments. Written comments were received from several agencies, and revisions to incorporate these comments were reflected in the subsequent draft of the Land Management Plan. A complete draft of the Land Management Plan, including all appendices and figures, was distributed to these agencies again in August 2004.

 

1.2.3        Public Consultation Process

 

Members of the local communities and the general public were afforded the opportunity to review and comment on the Land Management Plan. Specific outreach efforts were directed to adjoining landowners and others who may be directly affected by land management activities associated with the operation and maintenance of the Project. Copies of the Draft Land Management Plan were provided for review at convenient public locations, and public meetings were held to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and receipt of public comments.

 

Beginning in January 2004, NYPA held a series of meetings in the towns of Louisville, Waddington and Massena. Initially, these meetings consisted of informal briefings for local elected officials to develop the process for preparing the Land Management Plan and to organize groups of officials and interested citizens to provide focused feedback throughout the development of the Land Management Plan. Subsequent meetings with these land management committees were held in April and May to review the Land Management Plan outline and initial drafts of the Plan. In June, a series of meetings were held in each of the towns to review a draft of the Vegetation Management Plan. Copies of draft documents were distributed in advance of these meetings in order to garner meaningful feedback and comments. A complete draft of the Land Management Plan, including all appendices and figures, was made available in August for review at convenient public locations (i.e., local town hall), and a series of public meetings were subsequently held to provide local residents and public officials the opportunity to present their comments.  Residents and local officials were also afforded the opportunity to provide written comments to NYPA during a 30-day public review period.

 

In accordance with Article 413 of the license, the Land Management Plan is accompanied by a Public Consultation Package, which provides documentation of the public consultation process, including copies of the comments received during the consultation process. In response to each specific comment, NYPA has identified in its filing to FERC how the comments are addressed in the Land Management Plan.

 

This Land Management Plan provides a framework for managing Project lands in a manner consistent with the FERC license, resource agency requirements and the Comprehensive Accord while balancing the needs of the Project and the interests of adjoining landowners and the general public. The following Goals and Objectives provide the rationale for specific policies and the direction for specific actions, and together can be viewed as the foundation for this Land Management Plan.

 

2.1              Use of Project Lands

 

Goal: To establish the appropriate use of Project lands and provide a comprehensive land management strategy that protects the integrity of the Project, including environmental, historic, aesthetic and recreational resources, while recognizing specific resource values, public access requirements and the interests of adjoining landowners.

 

Objective: Prepare and periodically update a land use inventory and establish appropriate land management activities in accordance with resource characteristics and existing uses.

 

Objective: Establish guidelines for the approval of new and reconstructed docks, boathouses, shoreline stabilization measures and utilities by adjoining landowners and others.

 

Objective: Define allowable, permitted and prohibited uses of Project lands and continue a permit program to implement land management policies.

 

Objective: Implement an enforcement program to ensure compliance with the established permit programs.

 

2.2              Public Access and Recreation

 

Goal:   To ensure appropriate public access to and recreation activities on Project lands in accordance with FERC license requirements and public policies while protecting the interests of adjoining land owners and the general public.

 

Objective: Implement measures to enable appropriate public access along the shoreline including Areas of Dense Residential Development

 

Objective: Recognize and adhere to management responsibilities for recreational facilities through agreements with other entities in accordance with the Recreation Plan.

 

2.3              Protection of Natural Resources

 

Goal:   To establish land management policies and strategies that recognize and protect natural resources.

 

Objective: Implement site-specific land management policies and activities for identified management areas and other natural resource areas, consistent with other resource plans, to protect and enhance natural habitats.

 

Objective: Implement site-specific land management policies and activities for protecting High Quality Viewscapes from inappropriate development or land management activities.

 

Objective: Develop and implement a Vegetation Management Plan.

 

Objective: Develop and implement a Shoreline Stabilization Plan.

 

Objective: Develop and implement a Wildlife Protection and Management Plan

 

2.4              Protection of Historic Properties

 

Goal:   To establish land management policies and strategies that recognize and protect historic properties.

 

Objective: Coordinate land management policies and activities with the Historic Properties Management Plan.

 

2.5              Project Operation, Maintenance and Security

 

 

Goal: To implement an integrated approach to land management activities that provides for the safe operation and maintenance of the Project and accommodates other resources plan

 

Objective: Implement a Vegetation Management Plan that balances the operation and maintenance requirements of the Project with other recognized functions and uses of Project land.

 

Objective: Coordinate land management policies and activities with the Shoreline Stabilization Plan.

 

Objective:  Coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Border Patrol and the New York State Police on security operations so that they may maintain the integrity of the international border.

 

This section of the Land Management Plan provides a general description of the Project lands and associated resources including recreational, aesthetic, natural and cultural resources.

 

3.1              Project Facilities and Operations

 

3.1.1        Project Boundary

 

The Project license reflects a Project boundary located 25-feet-horizontal of the Normal Maximum Water Surface Elevation (NMSE) downstream of the Project terminus (2,300 feet upstream of Iroquois Dam) or 100-feet horizontal of the NMSE in sensitive resource areas (i.e., Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat). NMSE is defined as elevation (El) 246 feet (U.S. Lake Survey 1935 datum) for the area of Waddington from Iroquois Dam to Sucker Brook and as El 245 feet from Sucker Brook to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam (including a portion of Waddington and all of Louisville and Massena). The Project boundary as defined by the FERC-issued license is generally illustrated in Figures 3-1a through 3-1c and more precisely shown in Appendix B (originally provided as Exhibit G of NYPA’s License Application).

 

3.1.2        Project Facilities

 

a.                  Dams

 

There are four dams included within the Project:  the Robert Moses Power Dam, the Long Sault Dam, the Massena Intake, and the United States portion of the Iroquois Dam.

 

Robert Moses Power Dam is the United States portion of the international power dam. The international power dam, referred to as the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, extends 3,200 feet across the St. Lawrence River between Barnhart Island in Massena, New York and Cornwall, Ontario. The Robert Moses Power Dam is a 1,600-foot-long reinforced concrete dam. The dam is located approximately six miles northeast of the Village of Massena, and just upstream of the City of Cornwall (see Figure 3-1c). Generating facilities associated with the Robert Moses Power Dam include the intake structures, turbine/generator units, and appurtenant equipment. The Project also includes an 18-acre switchyard on Barnhart Island. This yard collects and meters the power produced by the Robert Moses Power Dam and distributes it to various transmission lines.

 

Long Sault Dam is a 2,960-foot-long curved concrete gravity overflow structure located entirely within the United States in the Town of Massena, approximately 3.9 miles west and upstream of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam (see Figure 3-1c). Long Sault Dam extends from the mainland to the western end of Barnhart Island. The Dam is the spillway for the International Power Project and passes St. Lawrence River flows on the infrequent occasions when IJC-regulated outflow of Lake Ontario exceeds the capacity of the available turbine/generator units at the Moses-Saunders Power Dam.

 

Massena Intake is a reinforced concrete gravity structure, approximately 721 feet in length, located at the head of the Massena Power Canal, entirely within the United States in the Town of Massena (see Figure 3-1c). State Highway 131 crosses the structure. The power canal was originally built in 1903 to divert flow from the St. Lawrence River to the former ALCOA Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Village of Massena. Massena Intake helps impound Lake St. Lawrence. A water intake at this structure provides process water to the ALCOA plant in Massena and potable water for the Town and Village of Massena.

 

Iroquois Dam is located in the Town of Waddington approximately 28 miles upstream of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam (see Figure 3-1a). Iroquois Dam extends approximately 1,980 feet across the St. Lawrence River, from Waddington to Iroquois Point in Iroquois, Ontario. Most (1,790 feet) of Iroquois Dam is within the United States. Iroquois Dam is operated under the direction of the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) International St. Lawrence River Board of Control to provide auxiliary control of levels in Lake St. Lawrence and to assist in ice cover development upstream of the dam.

 

b.                  Dikes

 

The Project includes 10.9 miles of dikes constructed across low-lying areas along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River (see Figures 3-1a through 3-1c). Lakeside slopes were riprapped, and landward slopes were covered with topsoil and seeded after construction for stability. With the exception of Coles Creek Dike, which is not adjacent to Lake St. Lawrence and has a height of only two to three feet, the minimum design elevation for the top of the dikes provides 5.5 feet of freeboard above the maximum design water level (El 249 feet) and approximately 10.5 feet above normal maximum water level.

 

South Forebay Dike extends 8,400 feet westerly from the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. Average and maximum heights are 50 feet and 145 feet, respectively.

 

Long Sault North Dike extends approximately 4,300 feet easterly from the north abutment of the Long Sault Dam. Average and maximum heights are about 15 feet and 95 feet, respectively.

 

Long Sault Dike extends approximately 21,400 feet westerly from the Eisenhower Lock on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Average and maximum heights are approximately 25 feet and 45 feet, respectively.

 

Richard’s Landing Dike extends approximately 11,300 feet westerly from the Massena Intake. Average and maximum heights are about 25 feet and 50 feet, respectively.

 

Mutton Ridge Dike is approximately 9,500 feet in length and is located approximately 12 miles upstream of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. Highway 131 is built atop Mutton Ridge Dike. Average and maximum heights are 10 feet and 20 feet, respectively.

 

Wilson Road Dike is also located approximately 12 miles upstream of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam and is approximately 1,200 feet in length. Average and maximum heights are about 10 feet and 15 feet, respectively.

 

Coles Creek Dike is located approximately 1.5 miles east of the mouth of Coles Creek and is 1,330 feet long. The Coles Creek Dike is the only dike that does not normally impound Lake St. Lawrence. The dike was built to contain Coles Creek in the event of high water. Average and maximum heights are 2 feet and 3 feet, respectively.

 

3.1.3        Project Operations 

 

The operation of the Project to pass flow in the St. Lawrence River is regulated by the IJC through its International St. Lawrence River Board of Control in accordance with its Plan of Regulation for Lake Ontario. The Plan of Regulation is intended to balance the many interests (e.g., navigation, hydropower generation, riparian property owners) who use the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario for various purposes and who are affected by water levels from Lake Ontario to areas downstream of Montreal. Typically, all flow through the International St. Lawrence Power Project passes through the turbine/generator units in the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. Historically, the monthly outflow from the Project is lowest during January when flow is reduced to assist in formation of a stable ice cover on Lake St. Lawrence. The maximum monthly outflow typically occurs during early summer with flows gradually decreasing throughout the summer and fall.

 

3.1.4        Project Security

 

Public access to the main Project facilities is controlled to ensure the secure operation of the Project. For security reasons, barriers are maintained at both ends of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam to prohibit unauthorized access across the dam. The Security Complex at the main Project entrance is staffed 24-hours a day, and all vehicles entering or leaving the main Project area are checked. The majority of the Project boundary is contiguous with the international border with Canada, and NYPA maintains regular contact with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Border Patrol and the New York State Police to coordinate security operations and maintain the integrity of the international border.

 

3.2              Land Use

 

The Project encompasses approximately 28 miles of the St. Lawrence River from approximately 2,300 feet upstream of the Iroquois Dam to approximately two miles below the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. The Project encompasses approximately 29,260 acres, of which approximately 20,500 acres are water and approximately 8,760 acres are land. Islands, not including Barnhart and Wilson Hill islands, which are connected to the mainland, comprise approximately 1,915 acres of the Project lands.

 

3.2.1        Project Lands

 

Land cover types and land uses within the Project are predominantly forest and wetlands, and outdoor recreation. Forest land (approximately 72 percent natural forest and 28 percent brush cover) is concentrated in the Wilson Hill WMA, on Long Sault and Croil islands, and in Coles Creek and Robert Moses State Parks. Wetlands occur in greatest abundance in Coles Creek State Park, Wilson Hill WMA, Robinson Bay, and along some of the tributaries.  Agricultural uses of Project land (primarily pasture and cropland) occur on some of the islands, but the largest such usage is west of the Village of Waddington. The Town of Waddington, through an agreement with NYPA, issues permits to individuals for agricultural activities on these lands, although active agriculture, other than for use as pasture, is not prevalent within the Project. General land use and land cover within the Project boundary are shown on Figures 3-1a through 3-1c.

 

3.2.2        Adjoining Lands

 

The majority of privately owned lands near or abutting the Project consists of single-family residential, agricultural, forest, or undeveloped lands. Residential areas abut the Project boundary in the Town of Waddington, Village of Waddington, on Wilson Hill Island, and along Route 131 in the Town of Louisville. Commercial and industrial land uses occur near the Project in several locations, particularly in the Town of Massena and the Village of Waddington.

 

Specifically defined “Areas of Dense Residential Development,” as set forth in the Comprehensive Accord, are located immediately adjacent to the Project boundary. These areas, illustrated on Figures 3-2a and 3-2b and identified below, are subject to specific management policies.

 

a.                  Town and Village of Waddington

 

The Areas of Dense Residential Development adjoining the Project boundary in the Town and Village of Waddington are specifically defined as follows:

 

The existing residences on the St. Lawrence River shoreline, from the municipal beach east to Pine Street (except for the Waddington Mooring Area, Island View Park and Whittaker Park). The existing residences on the following portions of the shoreline of Big Sucker Brook: a) adjacent to Brookview Drive; b) adjacent to Linden Street between the Cemetery and Route 345; and c) adjacent to Route 345 for a distance of approximately 1,100 feet south of the bridge over the brook, and adjacent to Nell Manor Drive.

 

The Project land in the Village of Waddington between the residences and the St. Lawrence River between Pine Street and Maple Street has been leased to the Village of Waddington for use as a public park (i.e., Island View Park) through 2019. Waddington has expressed their desire to maintain this as a public park; therefore, this area is not considered an Area of Dense Residential Development.

 

b.                  Town of Louisville

 

The Areas of Dense Residential Development within the Project boundary in the Town of Louisville are specifically defined as follows:

 

The existing residences on the north shore of Wilson Hill Island from the westernmost residential lot east to all residences adjacent to Wilson Hill Road on the eastern end of the island. The existing five residences from the Wilson Hill Boat Launch to the western end of Mutton Ridge.

 

3.3              Recreational Resources

 

A diversity of formal and informal recreation opportunities exists at the Project. A total of 19 formal parks and other recreation sites are located within the Project boundary. Through various agreements with NYPA, many of these recreation areas are operated and maintained by the OPRHP or local municipalities. Table 3-1 identifies these recreation areas on Project lands (see also Figures 3-3a through 3-3c).

 

The formal recreation areas are actively managed and offer water-related facilities and opportunities such as marinas, boat launches, swimming, fishing, and scenic viewing areas as well as a range of non-water-related facilities and opportunities such as ballfields, golf courses, trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, nature viewing, and winter recreation activities. These multi-purpose sites include two state parks - Robert Moses State Park and Coles Creek State Park - and five municipal parks in Waddington, Louisville, and Massena. Camping is offered at Coles Creek State Park and Robert Moses State Park. A golf course at the Massena Country Club in Louisville is located within the Project boundary.

 

Informal recreational sites consist of unmarked, unmanaged areas where recreational opportunities have been established over time through regular use. Informal recreation sites within the Project boundary include unmanaged portions of Robert Moses and Coles Creek state parks; Clark Point Beach, and several undeveloped islands, such as the Croil Islands State Park, Ogden Island, Murphy Island and the Long Sault Islands.

 

 

Table 3-1:  Recreational Sites and Facilities within the Project Boundary