Environment DEC
From the February 2007 issue
Public Meetings Announced on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Fisheries Plan
DEC recently announced that five public meetings will be held and public comments solicited on the draft Sportfishing Restoration and Spending Plan for the Lake Ontario system. The draft plan proposes ways to restore and enhance recreational fishing and fisheries in the New York waters of the lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and their tributaries upstream to the first barrier impassable to fish (collectively referred to as the Lake Ontario system).
Signs like this one warn anglers of consuming fish caught in certain New York waters, such as Lake Ontario
NRD Settlement Provides Funds
Funds for this restoration are available from a settlement of the state's Natural Resource Damages (NRD) claim with Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC). The settlement arose under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (federal Superfund), and state common law, and compensates the people of the state for injuries to natural resources caused by the discharge of dangerous chemicals to the environment. OCC agreed to pay the state $12 million in five equal payments over four years.
The settlement was based on an assessment of the damages to the state's natural resources, in particular a loss of recreational fishing benefits, resulting from the imposition of fish consumption advisories because of the presence of contaminants in fish in the Lake Ontario system. The proceeds of the settlement will be used to restore/enhance sportfishing and the injured natural resources.
To Review the Plan
Copies of the draft plan can be viewed or downloaded from the Lake Ontario Fisheries Unit Activities and Assessment Programs web page (see link below). All interested parties are encouraged to use the web page to review the draft and submit comments. Printed copies can be obtained at the DEC Regional headquarters in Watertown, Syracuse, Avon and Buffalo.
Five public meetings are scheduled. Comments may be mailed to:
Christopher J. Balk
Lake Ontario NRD Coord.
NYSDEC
P.O. Box 292
Cape Vincent, NY 13618
More Information
For more information, contact DEC regional offices in Watertown, Cortland, Avon, Allegheny, and Cape Vincent. A listing of regional office contact information can be found at the Regional Offices web page on the DEC's website (see link below).
Related Links
Lake Ontario Fisheries Unit Activities and Assessment Programs
