Post by Nick Pionessa on Oct 9, 2007 5:53:53 GMT -5
By LAURA MAGEE
Journal Editor
The Scobey Hill Dam currently blocks the passage of steelhead trout and other fisheries to the upstream areas of Cattaraugus Creek. That might not always be the case, though. By modifying the dam, the fish would be able to reach the upper 34 miles of the creek, but altering the dam is not without controversy.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held its first of many meetings regarding the dam in Springville on Sept. 27 at the Concord Town Hall. The economic benefits to the area, the history of the Scobey Hill Dam and the environmental tolls were brought up during the public comment section of the meeting, which was attended by more than 50 people.
In partnership with the state Department of Conservation, the Corps is currently evaluating the feasibility of fish passage at the dam. Implementation costs for a fish passage system and a sea lamprey assessment trap have been estimated to be $4,055,000. This alternative and others will be further evaluated during the next phase of study.
Project Manager Laura Ortiz explained that section 506 of the 2000 Water Resources Development Act allows the Corps of Engineers to provide planning, engineering and construction support in the development of the Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Restoration.
A fact sheet passed out at the meeting explained that steelhead trout cannot pass through the Scobey Hill Dam, a 40-feet-high and 338-feet-long structure, which originally functioned as a power generating facility. Since the dam is no longer being used to generate power, there is a desire by resource agencies to enable steelhead trout from Lake Erie to pass to the upstream reaches and tributaries of Cattaraugus Creek.
The first step, Ortiz explained, would be a feasibility study, which includes conducting an inventory of existing conditions and evaluating the economic and environmental benefits associated with a fish passage at the dam, and culminates in selecting a plan of action. The feasibility study will cost about $600,000, Ortiz said, and will be paid for by the federal government.
“Regardless of what we do, there is going to be some good information gained from the feasibility study,” Ortiz said, adding the structural stability of the dam is unknown at this time, as well as potential impacts on the fishery.
One concerned individual asked if the dam will be removed and Ortiz said it will be one of the alternatives addressed.
Another individual asked about sea lamprey, an invasive species that with the dam in place cannot travel to the upper reaches of the Cattaraugus River and its tributaries. DEC Region 9 Fisheries Manager Paul McKeown said the DEC doesn’t want the lampreys “to get up there” and fish passages can be made so lampreys can’t get past. One suggestion, he added, is putting a lip on the ladder so that lampreys, which use suction to advance, cannot get past, while steelhead trout can jump over the ladder.
“You may get one or two,” McKeown said about the lamprey and a fish ladder. “But you’ll get the majority.”
One example of a lamprey barrier exists on Spooner Brook, just downstream from County Route 39.
DEC Fisheries Biologist Jim Markham said only a few streams in the area offer the opportunity to increase a wild run of steelhead and called the Cattaraugus Creek a “unique opportunity.” Steelhead has become the most popular sportfish in the tributaries of Lake Erie since this fishery expanded over the past decade.
Another issue discussed is the fact that the Scobey Power Plant and Dam is designated a historic structure by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and by the Natural Historic Register.
“We are aware that anything we do has to be coordinated with the National Register,” Ortiz said.
In response to individuals concerned about the historical impact of the dam, one attendee said the dam may have been at the site for nearly 100 years, but the creek was there without a dam for a million years before that.
Concord resident Bob Church asked why the issue of a fish ladder was even being discussed. He believed, since the dam is a national historic site, it can’t be altered but Ortiz said the ladder could go around the dam and leave it in intact.
McKeown clarified that the law does not say the dam cannot be altered, but its historic nature has to be considered during the permit process.
“Are we going to destroy the Statue of Liberty just because we don’t want it there?” Church countered.
A spokesman from Trout Unlimited reiterated that the Army Corps in just doing a feasibility study now and no action has been taken yet, saying, “Everyone is getting all up in arms about this.”
"We’re not even anywhere close,” Ortiz said about a final decision. “We’re not getting the bulldozer out tomorrow.”
Another individual said there are not many places fisherman can actually fish from the upper Cattaraugus, but McKeown said the DEC continues to pursue public fishing rights.
As for present plans, a dam stability and geotechnical analysis will determine the condition of dam and help formulate alternative plans, Ortiz said, and this will be done in fiscal year 2008, along with a hydrology and hydraulic analysis. Sediment sampling has been done, although Ortiz said she is awaiting results.
The feasibility phase will last between 36 and 48 months, while determining the plans and specification will last 12 to 18 months and construction, depending on recommended alternative, will last 12 to 18 months.
If the project were to go ahead, the cost sharing would be set at 65 percent federal and 35 percent non-federal.
Ortiz said the next public meeting will be in nine months to a year and there will be “concrete information” available at that time.
Journal Editor
The Scobey Hill Dam currently blocks the passage of steelhead trout and other fisheries to the upstream areas of Cattaraugus Creek. That might not always be the case, though. By modifying the dam, the fish would be able to reach the upper 34 miles of the creek, but altering the dam is not without controversy.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held its first of many meetings regarding the dam in Springville on Sept. 27 at the Concord Town Hall. The economic benefits to the area, the history of the Scobey Hill Dam and the environmental tolls were brought up during the public comment section of the meeting, which was attended by more than 50 people.
In partnership with the state Department of Conservation, the Corps is currently evaluating the feasibility of fish passage at the dam. Implementation costs for a fish passage system and a sea lamprey assessment trap have been estimated to be $4,055,000. This alternative and others will be further evaluated during the next phase of study.
Project Manager Laura Ortiz explained that section 506 of the 2000 Water Resources Development Act allows the Corps of Engineers to provide planning, engineering and construction support in the development of the Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Restoration.
A fact sheet passed out at the meeting explained that steelhead trout cannot pass through the Scobey Hill Dam, a 40-feet-high and 338-feet-long structure, which originally functioned as a power generating facility. Since the dam is no longer being used to generate power, there is a desire by resource agencies to enable steelhead trout from Lake Erie to pass to the upstream reaches and tributaries of Cattaraugus Creek.
The first step, Ortiz explained, would be a feasibility study, which includes conducting an inventory of existing conditions and evaluating the economic and environmental benefits associated with a fish passage at the dam, and culminates in selecting a plan of action. The feasibility study will cost about $600,000, Ortiz said, and will be paid for by the federal government.
“Regardless of what we do, there is going to be some good information gained from the feasibility study,” Ortiz said, adding the structural stability of the dam is unknown at this time, as well as potential impacts on the fishery.
One concerned individual asked if the dam will be removed and Ortiz said it will be one of the alternatives addressed.
Another individual asked about sea lamprey, an invasive species that with the dam in place cannot travel to the upper reaches of the Cattaraugus River and its tributaries. DEC Region 9 Fisheries Manager Paul McKeown said the DEC doesn’t want the lampreys “to get up there” and fish passages can be made so lampreys can’t get past. One suggestion, he added, is putting a lip on the ladder so that lampreys, which use suction to advance, cannot get past, while steelhead trout can jump over the ladder.
“You may get one or two,” McKeown said about the lamprey and a fish ladder. “But you’ll get the majority.”
One example of a lamprey barrier exists on Spooner Brook, just downstream from County Route 39.
DEC Fisheries Biologist Jim Markham said only a few streams in the area offer the opportunity to increase a wild run of steelhead and called the Cattaraugus Creek a “unique opportunity.” Steelhead has become the most popular sportfish in the tributaries of Lake Erie since this fishery expanded over the past decade.
Another issue discussed is the fact that the Scobey Power Plant and Dam is designated a historic structure by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and by the Natural Historic Register.
“We are aware that anything we do has to be coordinated with the National Register,” Ortiz said.
In response to individuals concerned about the historical impact of the dam, one attendee said the dam may have been at the site for nearly 100 years, but the creek was there without a dam for a million years before that.
Concord resident Bob Church asked why the issue of a fish ladder was even being discussed. He believed, since the dam is a national historic site, it can’t be altered but Ortiz said the ladder could go around the dam and leave it in intact.
McKeown clarified that the law does not say the dam cannot be altered, but its historic nature has to be considered during the permit process.
“Are we going to destroy the Statue of Liberty just because we don’t want it there?” Church countered.
A spokesman from Trout Unlimited reiterated that the Army Corps in just doing a feasibility study now and no action has been taken yet, saying, “Everyone is getting all up in arms about this.”
"We’re not even anywhere close,” Ortiz said about a final decision. “We’re not getting the bulldozer out tomorrow.”
Another individual said there are not many places fisherman can actually fish from the upper Cattaraugus, but McKeown said the DEC continues to pursue public fishing rights.
As for present plans, a dam stability and geotechnical analysis will determine the condition of dam and help formulate alternative plans, Ortiz said, and this will be done in fiscal year 2008, along with a hydrology and hydraulic analysis. Sediment sampling has been done, although Ortiz said she is awaiting results.
The feasibility phase will last between 36 and 48 months, while determining the plans and specification will last 12 to 18 months and construction, depending on recommended alternative, will last 12 to 18 months.
If the project were to go ahead, the cost sharing would be set at 65 percent federal and 35 percent non-federal.
Ortiz said the next public meeting will be in nine months to a year and there will be “concrete information” available at that time.