Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the May 2008 issue
DEC Commissioner Visits Recovered River on Trout Opening Day
The Hoosic has recovered from the 2001 copper sulfate spill. The Rensselaer Land Trust used the spill settlement to protect 33 acres along the river
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis marked the opening day of the 2008 trout season by returning to the scene of an environmental mishap to highlight the recovery of the Hoosic River and a newly protected shoreline for potential fishing and paddling access. Seven years after a spill of copper sulfate killed thousands of fish in the Hoosic River, Commissioner Grannis announced the completion of an environmental benefits project that was part of the state's settlement with Oak-Mitsui, Inc. The company paid a $190,000 fine and funded the Rensselaer Land Trust's (RLT) purchase of two parcels totaling about 33 acres along the river downstream from the company's Hoosick Falls plant, including nearly a mile of shoreline.
Working with the RLT, DEC is pursuing plans to build a parking area, a canoe/kayak launch and improve access points along the newly protected shoreline. In addition, the transaction includes terms that keep the two parcels in agricultural production. The Hoosic downstream of Hoosick Falls is a warm-water fishery for smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill and pumpkinseed, along with occasional brown and rainbow trout. Upstream of Hoosick Falls, the river is predominately a brown and rainbow-trout fishery that has produced trophy-sized trout annually.
"Seven years ago, you wouldn't dream of casting a line in this stretch of the river," said Commissioner Grannis, "but the river has recovered. Local agriculture land has been protected. And the local economy can expect a boost as a result. It is a positive outcome for what began as an environmental setback."
Background
The chemical spill on the Hoosic occurred in June 2001 during spawning season. Oak-Mitsui, which produces copper foil for circuit boards, released several thousand gallons of copper sulfate from its plant in Hoosick Falls, killing thousands of fish along a ten-mile stretch of river. DEC and the Attorney General's Office pursued a natural resources damages claim against the company; state and federal laws allow such claims when there is a release of hazardous pollutants that injures natural resources. In 2004, a Rensselaer County court approved a settlement between the state and the company.
