Federal Projects
The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinates with the Service on all proposed
construction projects, such as for flood control, shoreline stabilization,
or navigation. Our role is to ensure that construction is planned with
a view toward conservation of fish and wildlife.
Whitney
Point Water Management Project:
The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission
are proposing to release water from the Whitney Point Reservoir to enhance
downstream aquatic resources. We have been working with these agencies
to ensure that water releases are delayed until moderate to severe drought
conditions occur.
Sauquoit
Creek Flood Control Project:
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The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been evaluating a flood
control project for the Village of Whitesboro, Oneida County.
The project currently proposed would convert over one mile of
Sauquoit Creek to an excavated flood control channel. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned that the currently proposed
flood control project would adversely impact significant fish
and wildlife resources in and along Sauquoit Creek. We have recommended
ways to avoid and minimize impacts to these resources by reevaluating
non-structural alternatives or a combination of non-structural
and less environmentally damaging structural alternatives. |
Bone
Run:
Bone
Run is a cool water tributary to the Allegheny River and empties into
the Allegheny Reservoir in Cattaraugus County, New York. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (Corps) is studying the feasibility of constructing
an earthen dike across Bone Run to create an impoundment as part of
an ecosystem restoration project in the Town of South Valley, Cattaraugus
County, New York.
The
project area is located adjacent to a causeway which carries West
Perimeter Road over Bone Run. Under the authority of Section 1135
of the Rivers and Harbors Act, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers-Pittsburgh District is studying the feasibility of creating
an 1,800-foot long by 100-foot wide dike, with water control structure,
adjacent and parallel to the existing causeway to inundate approximately
45 acres of land. Due to fluctuations in water elevations within
Allegheny Reservoir, the amount of shallow wetland habitat diminishes
during seasonal drawdowns. Currently, Bone Run flows under the causeway
through a 15-foot diameter metal culvert. The goal of the project
is to create a structure which will allow high water to enter behind
the new dike and become trapped during the seasonal drawdown of
the Allegheny Reservoir. In addition to creating the shallow water
impoundment, it is believed the project will enhance approximately
25 acres of existing wetlands. It is anticipated that the area will
provide recreational fishing for warm and cool water species. A
boat launch and parking area are proposed adjacent to Bone Run Road,
although specific details are not yet available.
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The
Service recommended that the project's environmental documents include
an evaluation of the potential impact, both positive and negative, on
future water quality, wetland habitat, and fish and wildlife resources
with and without project implementation. Adverse impacts of the project
on existing resources must be weighed against any potential benefits.
Hudson
River Restoration:
Many
of the freshwater tidal wetlands along the Hudson River have been lost
to historic dredge/fill operations and shoreline development such as
riprap or bulkhead installation. These habitat are valuable nursery
and foraging areas for a variety of fish species. They are also used
by wading birds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. The Service is assisting
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in restoring and enhancing some of
these wetlands on Schodack-Houghtaling Island and near the mouth of
Mill Creek in Greene and Columbia Counties. Restoration efforts include
removal of historic fill material and establishing tidal flow to these
areas. Enhancement efforts include improving the flow in tidal creeks
that feed these wetlands, removing invasive/exotic plant species such
as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and common reed (Phragmites
australis), and establishing native plant communities with high value
to fish and wildlife species.
"A Strategy for Removing or Mitigating Dams in New York State and Lessons Learned in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed" by Anne L. Secord: Upper Susquehanna dam mitigation project
FWS Conservation Planning Assistance Home Page • FWS Conservation Planning Assistance Northeast Region
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