Re: Seneca White Deer
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:30 pm
DEC Proposes Adding Protected Wetlands in Seneca County
Public Comments Accepted Until February 15
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today proposed that 26 wetland areas in the towns of Varick and Romulus, Seneca County, be included in the state's stringent oversight of critical freshwater wetland ecosystems. The wetlands being proposed for mapping - meaning they would be subject to state protection - are primarily located within the boundaries of the former Seneca Army Depot.
Approximately 266 acres of wetlands on and near the former Army Depot property are currently mapped. DEC's proposal would significantly expand the protected area by increasing the mapped wetlands an additional 2,100 acres.
In the fall of 2007, the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) passed a resolution accepting an application from L.M. Sessler Excavating and Wrecking, Inc. to develop a portion of the former Seneca Army Depot known as "The Conservation Area." Plans include construction of a conservation lodge and the development of four or five 10-acre parcels for future use. While many details of the proposal are unknown at this time, it is possible the proposal may impact freshwater wetlands on the former Seneca Army Depot.
Region 8 Director Paul D'Amato said, "The Depot area contains important natural resources and as development pressures increase, it is important that they be protected. The amended maps are a critical step in ensuring that any permit applications for proposals at the Depot and neighboring wetland areas receive a thorough and comprehensive environmental review to adequately protect the wetlands and wildlife habitat."
Wetlands naturally cleanse and purify water, provide crucial open space, and protect our communities against flooding by retaining and reducing the volume and velocity of water entering our streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs following a storm event.
The Freshwater Wetlands Act provides DEC with the authority to regulate certain activities that take place within wetlands 12.4 acres or greater in size, certain smaller wetlands of unusual local importance, and 100-foot buffer areas around mapped wetlands. If proposals seek to disturb or otherwise impact state regulated wetland areas, a DEC freshwater wetlands permit must be obtained. The Act also authorizes DEC to amend maps in order to add, modify or delete wetlands represented on the maps. More information about wetlands and DEC's role can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4937.html on the agency's website.
DEC will be accepting written comments on the proposed Freshwater Wetland Map amendments until February 15, 2008. Maps showing the proposed revisions are available at the Region 8 DEC office, 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY 14414-9519; and at the clerk's office in the village, town and county where the change is taking place. Comments on the proposed Freshwater Wetland revisions may be sent to: NYSDEC Region 8 Office, 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY 14414-9519; fax (585) 226-9789; or, e-mail at: [email protected]
A public notice announcing the wetland amendments appeared in the most recent Environmental Notice Bulletin ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/40883.html). In addition, affected landowners and local governments will be notified, and legal notification will be published in the local newspapers serving that area. Upon finalization and publication of the official map amendment notice, no activity subject to Freshwater Wetland regulations in the proposed area may be initiated without a permit from DEC.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/41110.html
Public Comments Accepted Until February 15
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today proposed that 26 wetland areas in the towns of Varick and Romulus, Seneca County, be included in the state's stringent oversight of critical freshwater wetland ecosystems. The wetlands being proposed for mapping - meaning they would be subject to state protection - are primarily located within the boundaries of the former Seneca Army Depot.
Approximately 266 acres of wetlands on and near the former Army Depot property are currently mapped. DEC's proposal would significantly expand the protected area by increasing the mapped wetlands an additional 2,100 acres.
In the fall of 2007, the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) passed a resolution accepting an application from L.M. Sessler Excavating and Wrecking, Inc. to develop a portion of the former Seneca Army Depot known as "The Conservation Area." Plans include construction of a conservation lodge and the development of four or five 10-acre parcels for future use. While many details of the proposal are unknown at this time, it is possible the proposal may impact freshwater wetlands on the former Seneca Army Depot.
Region 8 Director Paul D'Amato said, "The Depot area contains important natural resources and as development pressures increase, it is important that they be protected. The amended maps are a critical step in ensuring that any permit applications for proposals at the Depot and neighboring wetland areas receive a thorough and comprehensive environmental review to adequately protect the wetlands and wildlife habitat."
Wetlands naturally cleanse and purify water, provide crucial open space, and protect our communities against flooding by retaining and reducing the volume and velocity of water entering our streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs following a storm event.
The Freshwater Wetlands Act provides DEC with the authority to regulate certain activities that take place within wetlands 12.4 acres or greater in size, certain smaller wetlands of unusual local importance, and 100-foot buffer areas around mapped wetlands. If proposals seek to disturb or otherwise impact state regulated wetland areas, a DEC freshwater wetlands permit must be obtained. The Act also authorizes DEC to amend maps in order to add, modify or delete wetlands represented on the maps. More information about wetlands and DEC's role can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4937.html on the agency's website.
DEC will be accepting written comments on the proposed Freshwater Wetland Map amendments until February 15, 2008. Maps showing the proposed revisions are available at the Region 8 DEC office, 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY 14414-9519; and at the clerk's office in the village, town and county where the change is taking place. Comments on the proposed Freshwater Wetland revisions may be sent to: NYSDEC Region 8 Office, 6274 E. Avon-Lima Rd, Avon, NY 14414-9519; fax (585) 226-9789; or, e-mail at: [email protected]
A public notice announcing the wetland amendments appeared in the most recent Environmental Notice Bulletin ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/40883.html). In addition, affected landowners and local governments will be notified, and legal notification will be published in the local newspapers serving that area. Upon finalization and publication of the official map amendment notice, no activity subject to Freshwater Wetland regulations in the proposed area may be initiated without a permit from DEC.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/41110.html