For Release: Tuesday, November 6, 2007
DEC Acquires Junius Ponds, Gathercole Property
172 Acres Preserved in Finger Lakes Region
The state has completed the purchase of two parcels of land that will serve to protect natural and cultural resources in Ontario and Seneca counties, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The 95-acre Gathercole property, located immediately east of Canandaigua Lake in the town of Gorham, Ontario County, and the 77-acre Junius Ponds Complex, in Junius, Seneca County, will provide open space and public recreation access for a range of activities.
Both projects were identified in the New York State 2006 Open Space Conservation Plan as priority projects. They will provide access for a variety of activities including but not limited to hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and camping. The Gathercole property will provide additional protection of an important Finger Lake watershed. The Junius Pond Complex will help protect threatened and endangered species.
"These recent successful acquisitions demonstrate the State's continued support and commitment to preserve and conserve regional open space, as highlighted in the 2006 New York State Open Space Plan," stated Regional Director Paul D'Amato.
The Gathercole parcel is a steep-sloped tract in an area of high development pressure. It provides exceptional views of Canandaigua Lake and is an important component of the lake's viewshed. The plot is highly visible from Canandaigua Lake and its western shoreline. It contains a forested hillside that includes mature hardwoods and a portion of Fisher's Gully. Protection of this property will help maintain Canandaigua Lake's water quality while also securing intact forest habitat that is particularly important for nesting songbirds.
The Gathercole parcel is now a part of the Bare Hill Unique Area situated just to the south in the Town of Middlesex, Yates County. One of Bare Hill's legends is that it is home to the first Seneca Nation settlement.
Acquisition of the Gathercole property ($474,000) was made possible by the development of a partnership with the Finger Lakes Land Trust and the Town of Gorham. The Finger Lakes Land Trust initially acquired the property, then conveyed it to the state.
The Village of Lyons, in Wayne County, once utilized the Junius Ponds Complex as a public water supply and accepted an offer by DEC to purchase ($104,500) the complex. The roughly 77-acre parcel features bogs, fens, ponds and other wetland types. Threats to the complex include peat mining, sand and gravel mining, illegal specimen collections, runoff from the New York State Thruway and agriculture, and commercial development pressures adjacent to the complex. Also, DEC is under contract to purchase an additional 30 acres contiguous to the Junius Ponds Complex.
"This is tremendous news for the Finger Lake watershed, the Canandaigua Lake community and the entire State of New York," said Senator Dale M. Volker. "Working collaboratively with the State of New York, The Finger Lakes Land Trust and the Town of Gorham, this parcel of property will provide needed environmental benefits that will last a lifetime for our residents and visitors. I would like to congratulate Commissioner Pete
Grannis for his commitment to our region and I look forward to working with him on additional common sense environmental protection efforts in the immediate future."
"New York State's acquisition and preservation of the Junius Ponds Complex will protect a beautiful natural environment," said Senator Michael Nozzolio. "I am pleased to partner with the DEC in working to not only preserve ecologically sensitive areas but also to provide recreational opportunities for the people of the Finger Lakes region."
"I am pleased that the rural characteristics of Junius Ponds will be preserved by these efforts, which work to enhance the valued splendor of the Finger Lakes Region through this open space initiative," Assemblyman Brian Kolb said. "Furthermore, it is important that the natural environment of several endangered species will be protected while granting greater recreational opportunities for the public. Maintaining open spaces, like Junius Ponds, are as important for us now as it is for future generations to enjoy."
"The Finger Lakes Land Trust was delighted to work together with the NYSDEC and the Town of Gorham to secure this forested hillside overlooking Canandaigua Lake. The property provides excellent wildlife habitat and also helps to ensure Canandaigua Lake's water quality," stated Andy Zepp, Executive Director, Finger Lakes Land Trust.
Gorham Town Supervisor Richard Calabrese said, "This project was well worth waiting for. It is a prime example of how local governments, the DEC and the Finger Lakes Land Trust can work together to preserve this important natural resource in the Finger Lakes region."
"The Village is very pleased that the NYSDEC has purchased the Junius Ponds property and their unique ecological system will be preserved through ownership by the State of New York. Junius Ponds are considered meromictic lakes which are natural lakes of glacial origin and are called "Kettle Ponds," stated Corrine Kleisle, Mayor of the Village of Lyons.
