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News Archive 2007
12/19/07 PCB's Found in Hudson River Bats (Environmental Contaminants):
The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees have released a "Work Summary and Data Report" for a study of PCBs in Hudson River bats conducted in 2001 and 2002 as part of the Hudson River NRDA. The results of the investigation show that these bats have been exposed to PCBs. The Work Summary and Data Report can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/HudsonRiver/HudsonRiver.cfm.
12/13/07 Children's Indiana Bat Activity Book for Teachers (Endangered Species):
The web page for the activity book is available here: Indiana Bat, Kids, and Caves - Oh My! (8 MB pdf)
The Bloomington Field Office contracted with the Mesker Park Zoo to produce the guide.
12/7/07 St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project's Habitat Improvement Projects (Federal Projects):
| The NYFO participated in the annual Technical Advisory Council meeting (held via webcast due to winter storms) for the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project’s Habitat Improvement Projects. Highlights of this year’s work were presented by the Power Authority. Osprey are using one of the three nesting towers erected. Common tern nesting continues to increase, with a steady rise in the three-year mean for both total nests and hatching success. Next year will be a key indicator, since the first chicks fledged with the habitat improvements will be 3 years old and should be returning to nest. Common loon nesting structures, however, have not shown any use. Lake sturgeon spawning beds and a walleye spawning area in Brandy Brook have been constructed and will be monitored for use in 2008. Work is also continuing on several water control structures for major wetland complexes. The Blandings turtle habitat improvements are showing promise, as are the improvements for grassland birds at Whitehouse Point and on Ogden Island. |
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11/26/07 Reviewing the Crescent Project on Mohawk River (Federal Projects):
| The New York Field Office reviewed the Schedule of Services proposed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) for testing the effectiveness of the juvenile blueback herring deterrent system at the Crescent Project on the Mohawk River. The study will be done next summer using hydroacoustics. The NYPA employs a sound barrier to divert the herring to a bypass facility. Adult herring will be tagged and tested in 2009. |
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11/13/07 Eel Ladder Results, St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project (Federal Projects):
The eel ladder at the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project closed for the season on October 31. Nearly 12,000 eels passed this year, a significant improvement over the first year’s run in 2006. We have not received the totals for the Saunders ladder on the Canadian side of the dam.
11/9/07 Increase in Salmon Spawning in Salmon River, Oswego County (Federal Projects):
 Due to increased rainfall in the last three weeks, normal flow releases for spawning salmon have been released to the Salmon River in Oswego County from the Bennett’s Bridge reservoir. Low water levels in the reservoir kept releases below normal throughout most of the fall. The Service works closely with Brookfield Power and the NYSDEC to determine the actual releases.
11/2/07 Canasawacta Creek Restoration (Partners for Fish & Wildlife):
| Part of a 13‑mile project, this stream restoration project continued all week to build bankfull benches, log vanes, and rock vanes. Funding is partly from fish passage provided through the LGLFWMO and partly from a NYSDEC clean water grant. The project was designed and constructed with oversight by NYFO staff and assistance provided by Iroquois NWR equipment operator, Jeff Graves, and an excavator loaned from Montezuma NWR. NYSDEC and Chenango County also hauled rocks while a local landowner ran a dump truck. |
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10/29/07 Private Lands Restoration Completed (Partners for Fish & Wildlife):
 A 30‑acre Partners for Fish and Wildlife wetland restoration project adjacent to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was completed. The restored emergent wetland habitat will benefit fish and wildlife including habitat for Federally‑ and State‑listed threatened and endangered species and migratory birds. The project site had been adversely impacted through past farming activities which have involved ditching in an attempt to drain tillable lands.
10/22/07 Brick Pond Restoration Begins (Partners for Fish & Wildlife) :
 Implementation of a Partners for Fish and Wildlife restoration project in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed began last week. The site, owned by Waterman Conservation Center, is used for teaching thousands of kids each year about the value of wetlands. Prior to 1930, it was drained by ditches for agriculture; on part of the site, clay was excavated to make bricks. The 70‑acre site is adjacent to the Susquehanna River and was a small part of the large floodplain in last year’s flood.
10/15/07 NiSource Habitat Conservation Plan EIS Public Comment Period (Endangered Species):
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Evaluate Proposed Multi-state Endangered Species Habitat Conservation Plan - Public comment period open through November 30, 2007
For more information please visit http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/permits/hcp/hcp_nisource.html
10/11/07 Draft Karner Blue Butterfly Safe harbor Agreement and Draft Environmental Assessment (Endangered Species):
Now available for public comment: Federal Register Notice, Draft Environmental Assessment, Safe Harbor Agreement, Appendices A, B& C. Comments accepted until November 9, 2007
10/10/07 Newtown Creek Remedial Investigation Underway (Environmental Contaminants):
USFWS is working with the State of New York to ensure that the remedial investigation of Newtown Creek effectively evaluates the exposure of fish and wildlife resources to environmental contaminants. Newtown Creek, located in Brooklyn and Queens, New York is highly contaminated with metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls as a result of historic industrial (smelters, refineries) use. A 17 million gallon oil spill exists in groundwater associated with this creek. The New York Field Office is also evaluating natural resource injury, in conjunction with the other natural resource Trustees.
10/09/07 LIFO Designated as Lead Office for Sandplain Gerardia Recovery (Endangered Species):
 The LIFO has been designated as the lead office for the recovery of sandplain gerardia (Agalinis acuta). Personnel have been coordinating with recovery biologists in the Service’s Regional Office and multiple State agencies in reporting end-of-fiscal year population trends. Staff are also in the process of coordinating with Federal, State, and non-government organization biologists to address gerardia recovery on Long Island. Contact:;Steve Sinkevich
9/27/07
Niagara River Restoration (Environmental Contaminants):
The New York Field Office, along with other members of the Cayuga
Creek Steering Committee, reviewed restoration projects which are
planned for Cayuga Creek, a tributary to the Niagara River. Funds
from the Love Canal natural resource damage assessment settlement
have been dedicated for Cayuga Creek in the restoration plan. Cayuga
Creek was directly impacted by releases from the Love Canal Superfund
Site, as well as the subsequent remedial activities. The NYFO is working
with the Town of Niagara Falls and other stakeholders to leverage
additional restoration funds for Cayuga Creek.
9/25/07
Cayuga Creek (Niagara River) Restoration Update (Environmental Contaminants):
Niagara River Restoration The NYFO, along with other members of the
Cayuga Creek Steering Committee, reviewed restoration projects that
are planned for Cayuga Creek, a tributary to the Niagara River. Funds
from the Love Canal natural resource damage assessment settlement
have been dedicated for Cayuga Creek in the restoration plan. Cayuga
Creek was directly impacted by releases from the Love Canal Superfund
Site, as well as the subsequent remedial activities. The NYFO is working
with the Town of Niagara Falls and other stakeholders to leverage
additional restoration funds for Cayuga Creek.
9/10/07
Seabeach Amaranth Surveys (Long Island Field Office Endangered Species):
LIFO staff have partnered with the New York State Natural Heritage
Program in conducting seabeach amaranth surveys along the south shore
of Long Island in late August and early September 2007. These surveys
are essential in determining the status of this annual coastal plant
and its recovery. The LIFO is also coordinating with landowners on
management for this species.
9/3/07
Allen Falls Hydroelectric Development Visit (Fish & Wildlife Conservation):
The New York Field Office (NYFO) participated in a follow-up site
visit to the Allens Falls Hydroelectric development on the West Branch
of the St. Regis River. In 2005, Brookfield Power failed to provide
the appropriate bypassed reach flows (approximately 12 cfs rather
than the required 50 cfs). The NYFO negotiated a settlement, which
included stocking trout, temperature monitoring, streamflow gaging,
and new gate controls. Water temperatures have been running at the
upper range of trout survival. Stocking of rainbows and browns is
continuing, and the appropriate flows have been in place. Pins have
been installed on rocks to allow the operators to verify they are
in compliance with flow requirements.
12 cfs |
50 cfs |
8/15/07
Hudson River NRDA Final Study Plan for 2007 Avian Egg Injection Study
(Environmental Contaminants):
The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees have released the Final
Study Plan for an avian egg injection study for year 2007. The Final
Study Plan was prepared as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment
for the Hudson River being carried out jointly by New York State,
the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The work for 2007 includes: (1) evaluation of the effects of a PCB
mixture relevant to tree swallows from the Upper Hudson River in a
controlled egg injection study; (2) evaluation of the effects of in
situ PCB exposure in Upper Hudson River hatchling tree swallows; and
(3) a pilot study of injection of a PCB mixture into eggs of Eastern
bluebirds. Please visit the following website for a copy of the Final
Study Plan: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/HudsonRiver/HudsonRiver.cfm.
7/25/07
Kingston Newspaper article on Indiana bat (Endangered Species):
See the article here.
7/11/07
Normanskill Hydropower Project Proposed Amendment (Fish & Wildlife
Conservation):
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The NYFO participated in a site visit to the Normanskill Hydro
Project, located on a water supply reservoir. A proposed amendment
to license will raise the height of the dam to increase the available
water supply. An electrofishing survey conducted by the licensee
found 55% of the fish to be American eel, most in the 6”
to 12” range. We will be examining upstream and downstream
passage alternatives. The licensee has agreed to install eel passage
as part of the dam renovation. The passage flows will also improve
the downstream habitat. |
6/28/07
10am EST: The Bald Eagle will be Officially Delisted as of August
9, 2007! (Endangered Species):
Please see our National
USFWS website for more information.
6/27/07
New NRDA Fact Sheets Posted (Environmental Contaminants):
Please see our NRDA
page for the fact sheets.
6/22/07
Hudson River Trustees Article Published in the Poughkeepsie Journal (Environmental Contaminants):
The Poughkeepsie Journal has published an article written by the
Hudson River Natural Resource Trustee agencies regarding the ongoing
natural resource damage assessment for the Hudson River. The article,
entitled “PCB pollution: River trustees assess damage,"
can be found at:
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706170323.
The poster that ran with the article can be found here: http://www.stenmiller.com/pcb.jpg.
6/6/07
Hudson River Trustees Release Draft Study Plan for Injury Study of
Hudson River Resident Waterfowl (Environmental Contaminants):
The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees have released for public
review and comment a Draft Study Plan for an injury study of Hudson
River resident waterfowl. This Draft Study Plan was prepared as part
of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) for the Hudson River
being carried out jointly by New York State , the U.S. Department
of the Interior, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The public and
the party or parties responsible for the contamination are requested
to review the Draft Study Plan and provide feedback on the proposed
approach. Written comments can be sent by June 25, 2007, to: Steven
Jay Sanford, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division
of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4756,
or by e-mail to: sxsanfor@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Please visit the following
website for a copy of the draft Study Plan: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/HudsonRiver/HudsonRiver.cfm.
Other documents for the Hudson River NRDA are also available at that
web site.
6/1/07
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Announces Three Management Actions
for Bald Eagles (Endangered Species):
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm
5/29/07
Roosevelt Island Tidal Power (Fish & Wildlife Conservation):
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During the week of May 7, 2007, additional turbines were installed
at the Roosevelt Island Tidal Power Plant, bringing the total
to six operating units. The Service has reviewed a proposal
to incorporate limited fish netting as a way to ground-truth
the fixed hydroacoustic monitoring. We have also recently prepared
comments on the March 2007 “Interim Monitoring Report”
and the April 2007 FERC Scoping Document. We will be attending
a hydroacoustics “workshop” at the site in June. |
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5/21/07
Oswegatchie Revisited (Fish & Wildlife Conservation):
Biologist Steve Patch has begun Project Reviews on relicensing
Brookfield Power’s 6-development Oswegatchie River Hydroelectric
Project. The license expires in December 2012. Patch worked
on the original licensing in the mid-80s when the FERC biologist
was Dave Bryson. Most flow issues were resolved 20 years ago,
and the fisheries have greatly improved (according to NYSDEC
studies in the 1990s). Key issues for relicensing will be fish
protection and downstream passage especially for lake sturgeon
and American eel, and impoundment fluctuations. |
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5/14/07
Delaney Bay Ladder Enhances Pike Spawning (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
During the past two weeks, the Thousand Islands Biological
Station (TIBS) conducted their annual spawning surveys for northern
pike and muskellunge in the St. Lawrence River and found the
highest number of fish behind the new fish ladder in Delaney
Bay. The water control structure and fish ladder were funded
by the Fish Enhancement, Mitigation and Research Fund and installed
by Partners for Fish and Wildlife and Ducks Unlimited staff
during October 2006. Dr. John Farrell, Director of TIBS, stated
that generally esocid populations in the St. Lawrence River
are down this year and was very pleased to find high numbers
spawning in the enhanced marsh habitat at Delaney Bay. |
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5/9/07
Hudson River Trustees Release Revised Avian Egg Injection Study Plan
(Environmental Contaminants)
American kestral, photo Dave Menke, USFWS
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The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees released
a revised Avian Egg Injection Study Plan for work initiated
in 2006. The revised study plan incorporates changes to the
original document, dated May 12, 2006, including revisions to
the work plan for tree swallow, American kestrel and chicken
egg injection studies, and additional information regarding
the design and preparation of the 58-congener PCB mixture dosing
solution used in the avian egg injection work in 2006. The revised
Study Plan is available at the Hudson
River NRDA web site |
5/7/07
Indiana bat Spring Emergence Study (Endangered Species):
The Endangered Species Program has been assisting the NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation with their 7th,
and likely final, spring emergence study of Indiana bats
in New York. Twenty females were successfully marked with
bands and radio transmitters on Sunday, April 22nd and released
to fly to their spring/summer roosting areas. We will have
an update on the success of our tracking efforts soon.
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5/4/07
Rachel Carson's Centennial Celebration Begins:
| On April 25, NYFO kicked off its celebration
of Rachel Carson’s life and work at the 13th Annual
New York Wetlands Forum. Intern Carrie Asher presented her
paper “Rachel Carson’s Contributions to Conservation”
In addition, Carrie and other NYFO staff assembled the Rachel
Carson Centennial Celebration display Carrie has been working
on for several months. The large display is comprised of a
series of photographs and images from important events and
accomplishments in her life as well as copies of 1950s-era
pesticide use information and advertisements. Finally, Carrie
completed work on a 38-page Carson Centennial coloring and
activity book for children; copies will be available for distribution
soon. |
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4/26/07
Klydel Wetland Acquisition ( Fish
& Wildlife Conservation ):
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service provided $53,000 to
the Audubon Society for purchase of the Brauer property
in the Klydel wetland near Buffalo, New York. Funds came
from the Love Canal natural resource damage assessment settlement
and were dedicated in a settlement consent decree and the
restoration plan. The Klydel wetland is a threatened wetland
with unique wetland values, including habitat for the rare
Shumard Oak. This is the second project implemented with
Love Canal settlement funds. |
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4/18/07 The Indiana bat recovery
plan draft is here! (Endangered Species):
The Indiana bat recovery
plan has now been released to the public.
More information is available at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/mammals/index.html#indiana
Please provide any public comments by July 16th. Our section
7 page has additional information on indiana bat recovery.
4/2/07
CSX Train Derailment/Spill Injury Investigation: (Environmental
Contaminants)
The New York Field Office continues to
work with the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, and representatives
of CSX to evaluate potential impacts due to
release of ferric chloride into the Cowaselon
Creek Watershed. NYFO's Ken Karwowski and
student intern Carrie Asher conducted a field
investigation on March 22 to determine the nature
and extent of biotic sampling needed to assess
injury to the creek, tributaries, and associated
wetlands. Additional information will be posted in the future. |
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3/26/07
Stocking American Eels in Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
The Canadian hydropower companies and resource agencies sponsored
a workshop in Montreal to address issues related to stocking
American eels in Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario. Due to the
sharp decline in recruitment to Lake Ontario and the virtual
absence of American eel in Lake Champlain, the Canadians are
exploring options to transplant elvers captured in the Bay of
Fundy off Nova Scotia to the two lakes where they can grow and
presumably return to the Sargasso Sea for spawning. Quebec began
transplanting elvers to Lake Champlain (upper Richelieu River)
in 2005; Ontario conducted the first transplant to Lake Ontario
(upper St. Lawrence River) in 2006. The Europeans have stocked
European eels for many years. Experts from around the world
(U.S., Canada, England, Northern Ireland, Belgium, and Sweden)
attended. Key issues that need to be addressed include whether
stocked eels will become male or female, whether the eels will
properly imprint for their return to the Sargasso Sea, contaminant
and disease issues, and whether these efforts will ultimately
contribute to recruitment in Lake Ontario or elsewhere. Workshop
documentation should be available soon. |
3/19/07
Our Senate/Congressional Communications page has been overhauled:
New
2007 documents for Senate & Congress.
3/19/07
Hudson River Trustees Respond to Public Comments on Mink Injury Study
(Environmental Contaminants):
The Hudson River Natural Resource Trustees have released
a Responsiveness Summary for the Mink Injury Study. The Responsiveness
Summary provides Trustee agency responses to public comments
on and questions about the Trustees' Study Plan for Mink Injury
Investigations for the Hudson River, Draft for Public Review
and Comment, dated June 13, 2006. This Responsiveness Summary
has been prepared pursuant to the Hudson River NRDA Plan. All
comments received on the Draft Mink Injury Study Plan, as part
of the peer and public review process, were considered by the
Trustees in development of the Final Study Plan, which was released
by the Trustees in October 2006. Please visit the following
website for a copy of the Responsiveness Summary: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/HudsonRiver/HudsonRiver.cfm.
The Final Study Plan and other documents for the Hudson River
NRDA are also available at the same address. |
3/13/07
Karner Blue Butterfly Reintroduction Program Highlights (Endangered
Species):
Please see the article and photo essay here.
3/9/07
DEC Wildlife Arm to Track Bobcat Populations in Area:
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Bureau of Wildlife (NYSDEC BOW) wants to learn more about the
occurrence and distribution of bobcats in New York.
Anyone who observes a bobcat in Region 7 (Broome, Cayuga, Cortland,
Chenango, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins counties)
is encouraged to report to their Region 7 NYSDEC BOW office
at (800) 388-8244 ext. 247.
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3/2/07 Eastern
Cougar 5-year review (Endangered
species):
Announcement
of review of status of Federally-listed species (pdf)
| 2/28/07
Hudson River Trustees Release Draft Study Plan for 2007 Avian
Injury Study (Environmental Contaminants):
The Hudson River
Natural Resource Trustees have released a Draft Study Plan for
an Avian Injury Study - Amendment for Year 2 (2007) for public
review and comment. The work proposed for 2007 entails evaluating
the effects of a PCB mixture relevant to tree swallows from
the Upper Hudson River in a controlled egg injection study and
evaluating the effects of in situ PCB exposure in the Upper
Hudson River tree swallows post-hatch by studying the physiology
of nestlings, adults and additional hatchlings by comparing
measures across a spectrum of PCB exposed birds and between
the Upper Hudson River site and reference sites. As this study
entails injury endpoints, the Trustees will perform a peer review
of the proposed work and are also issuing this Draft Study Plan
Amendment for public review and comment, in accordance with
the Hudson River NRDA Plan. Comments should be submitted to
the Trustees by March 30, 2007. Please visit the following website
for a copy of the Draft Study Plan and contact information for
submitting comments: http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/HudsonRiver/HudsonRiver.cfm. |
2/23/07
Amy Roe of NYFO Hazwoper-certified (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
Amy Roe completed the U.S. EPA Hazardous Materials Incident
Response Operations training course in Edison, New Jersey. The
course covered the methods and procedures necessary to recognize,
evaluate, and control hazardous substances as well as protect
site and response personnel. Amy is pictured in “Level
A” personal protective equipment which includes a fully
encapsulated suit with an atmosphere-supplying respirator. |
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2/16/07 Concurrence
Reached on Herring (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
The FERC concurred with the NYFO’s recommendations
regarding the downstream fish passage facility for adult blueback
herring at the New York State Dam Project on the Mohawk River.
Boralex Corp.’s radiotagging study revealed that approximately
half the herring used the passage facility and half went through
the turbines. The NYFO recommended higher attraction flows (5%
of project capacity). Boralex will also be given the option
to develop hydroacoustic monitoring to predict when the fish
are passing. Bar racks in front of the fish passage sluice must
also be removed and the sluice must be kept clean. |
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2/9/07
Crescent Project Agreement Reached: (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
The New York Field Office reached agreement
with the Power Authority on modifications to the downstream
passage facilities at the Crescent Project on the Mohawk River.
Modifications will be completed this year and radiotracking
of adult blueback herring will be undertaken in 2008.
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1/30/07
Owasco Flats Wetland Restoration Begins
Work began this week to plug a ditch that drains
a 30-acre wetland adjacent to Owasco Inlet to improve habitat
for waterfowl and migratory birds. A water control structure
will be installed to manage water levels and allow pike access
to the wetland to spawn. The property is currently owned by
Cayuga County and has been developed into a nature preserve.
There are many nature trails that local citizens use for hiking
and wildlife viewing. |
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1/22/07
Transportation Project Endangered Species Act Project Reviews (Long
Island Field Office):
The Long Island Field Office has teamed with
the New Jersey Field Office in providing Federally-listed species
(piping plover, roseate tern, and Bald eagle) nesting locations
to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the
ongoing Section 7 Project Reviews for the proposed New York/New
Jersey/Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign. The
FAA has requested this information to assist in developing alternate
flying routes and Service-recommended flight restrictions to
avoid adverse affects to these bird species.
1/11/07
Eel Passage Facilities initiated for James Thompson Project
on Hoosic River (Fish
& Wildlife Conservation):
The NYFO initiated efforts to have upstream
and downstream passage facilities for American eel installed
at the James Thompson Project on the Hoosic River. An eel ladder
and downstream passage exist at the downstream Schaghticoke
development, while a ladder will be constructed in early 2007
at the upstream Johnsonville development (downstream passage
already exists). The James Thompson Project is an exemption
and the Service had a placeholder to require future passage
facilities. This will be the 15th eel ladder constructed or
proposed through NYFO’s hydro program.
12/28/06
Onondaga Lake Pre-Assessment Screen available:
Please see it here! |
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