For Release: Thursday, June 19, 2008
DEC to Unveil New Fishing Pier in Lake Champlain's South Bay
Design is Universally Accessible And Provides Great Angling Opportunities
A new universally accessible fishing pier for South Bay will be dedicated in a ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 21, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.
Named the John A. Brooks Memorial Fishing Pier, the new facility recognizes the lifelong efforts of the late Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO). The pier is located along NYS Route 22, just minutes north of the Village of Whitehall. The facility is located on land owned by Washington County, but will be operated and maintained by DEC. Partners in the community have rallied to support the project, which will provide universal access to the popular lake and economic benefits to local business.
The project fulfills one of the goals of DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis: connecting New Yorkers to nature. In addition, it is one of the many projects that help celebrate the New York State Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, marking the 400th anniversary of the historic voyages of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain.
Dedication
The opening ceremony will mark the completion of one man's vision and the community effort he inspired. ECO John A. Brooks served from 1951 to 1976 as a caretaker of the environment and a friend of local sportsmen. The new 300-foot universally accessible pier will replace an old bridge that once provided access to the South Bay fishery. When the bridge burned down, it became an eyesore. Officer Brooks initiated the plan to clear away the debris and restore access over the old pilings. The pier will be dedicated in recognition of his efforts to protect the environment and for his vision and enthusiasm toward restoration of fishing access at South Bay.
Partnerships
Numerous community members have contributed support toward the construction of the pier, including Washington County, Senator Elizabeth Little, the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen and local businesses in Whitehall and Dresden, as well as many individuals. The effort included raising funds for a matching grant as a local Waterfront Revitalization Project. As a result, the project expanded to include a number of parking areas, an attractive roofed pavilion, benches and railings.
Universal Design
The universal design of this project will benefit the community by providing seniors, families, people with disabilities and others barrier-free access from the parking area to the fishing rail. The pier has been designed to ensure that all visitors will be able to choose from a variety of places to fish, sit, or stand: from the shore, through shallow water and out toward the deepest channel of the bay. Benches are provided along the pier and the covered pavilion area over the end of the pier will provide shelter from the sun and inclement weather. The pier is located near an existing DEC boat launch facility which has additional parking and an accessible privy.
The Fishery
The South Bay is a very productive area of Lake Champlain, frequented by sport species such as northern pike, largemouth bass and both chain and grass pickerel. Yellow perch, white perch, white crappies, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullheads and catfish are also common. In the spring, large gar are abundant inshore. Large common carp are abundant in the South Bay area as well. Old pilings have been left intact to provide sheltered fish habitat along the southern side of the pier, while the rest of the pier faces open water. It is anticipated that the South Bay Pier and Pavilion will be a popular venue for anglers.
Pictures of the completed pier construction can be viewed at ftp://ftp.dec.state.ny.us/dpae/press/AccessPier/ on the DEC website.
