UPDATE: These meetings are the first in a several month process to determine the values of the citizens and visitors of Watertown New York, and how the Black River can be managed to meet those interests. This is exactly what the paddling community has been advocating for and we are very excited at this opportunity. This round of public comment is designed to capture the full range of ideas on how to best manage the River Corridor, whereas meetings in late March and April will flesh out and critique alternatives. There will be ample opportunities to be involved. We also hope to plan a paddler’s meeting in April to discuss our interests as a user group. All of your ideas on Black River management should be sent to the address listed below. The topics can be as broad as your interests and ideas. We have the time we need, so file you initial ideas and keep thinking!
Paddlers that are interested in the fate of the Route 3 Wave and Hole Brothers should attend these public meetings on friday and saturday, and should send in written comments. This is a major opportunity for the paddling public to have their voices heard in a public forum. Do not miss it!
Announcement!
“The City of Watertown is beginning a planning initiative that will lead to the development of a Local Waterfront Reviatlization Plan (LWRP) for the Black River”
There are a series of workshops that are being held. The first workshop is being held four times (the first was Monday 2/24) in Watertown and is being held by a group of people from ESF in Syracuse. The following are the times and locations in Watertown these are being held. Public input is a necessity and we especially need the input of the paddling-public as any waterfront upgrades can affect all of us.
Wednesday, February 24, 2003 8 am: The Marcy Building Conference Room, 235 State Street
Friday, February 28, 2003 1 pm: HSBC Conference Room,
120 Washington St
Saturday, March 1, 2003 9:30 am: City Hall, 3rd Floor
245 Washington St
For Information Contact: Mike Lumbis, Watertown City Planning Department
785-7730
Send Written Comments to Syracuse University at ccdr@esf.edu
This process is in response to the City of Watertown recieving two grants that will enable the City to enhance Hole Brothers and another site (possibly Route 3).
Essentailly the city has two grants:
15K for the LWRP
$95K for design of a whitewater feature (Rt 3 is not locked in, especially if LWRP comes back opposing and proposing a releastic alternative)
Two thing are being designed:
1. improvement to the city land at Hole Brothers between Hudson River Rafting Co and the brewing company to the west of Hudson. This will focus on improving access and spectator viewing.
2. Initial design for Rt 3 modification or alternative location for a whitewater feature(s) to include bank work. According to the city manager no AE Firm has been awarded the design for either project. They will look at RFPs submit by interested AE firms and then award the design.
This could be an excellent opportunity to enhance access and conservation measures on the Black. Obviously there is alot at stake. American Whitewater will be filing comments and we hope all concerned paddlers will do the same.
BACKGROUND ON THE FUNDING
A STATE OF NEW YORK
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR
Press Office
212-681-4640
518-474-8418
http://www.state.ny.us
FOR RELEASE:
IMMEDIATE, Thursday
February 20, 2003
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES $4.5 MILLION IN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS
Monies Dedicated to Waterfront Revitalization Across New York State
Governor George E. Pataki today announced $4,549,500 from the State Environmental Protection Fund=s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) for 56 projects located throughout New York State.
The Department of State’s Division of Coastal Resources administers Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grants available to local governments for: the preparation and implementation of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs and inter-municipal waterbody management plans; development of coastal education programs; creation of blueway trails; inter-municipal dredge material management plans on Long Island Sound; and the AWaterfront Rediscovery initiative. This latter program encourages waterfront redevelopment projects and assists communities in improving the recreational, cultural and economic value of their waterfront resources. All grants are awarded on a 50-50 matching basis.
Since 1995, Governor Pataki has awarded 515 Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grants from the Environmental Protection Fund, totaling more than $43 million for waterfront projects through the Department of State. This year’s request for applications issued by the Department of State drew 145 responses.
City of Watertown: City of Watertown Local Waterfront Revitalization Program – Phase 2 – The City will undertake a public participatory process and site-specific design to complete the City’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, develop a permanent exhibit at the NYS Living Museum, complete designs for shoreline improvements at Hole Brothers, and complete a feasibility study of Route 3 Wave modifications. This will further work developed under a previous EPF award. Grant amount: $95,000.