Write a commentThe proposal to designate the eastern end of Lake Ontario as a National Marine Sanctuary came another step closer to reality on Tuesday evening.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hosted a Public Comment Session on the proposal at the Lake Ontario Events Center at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Oswego. The proposed area would encompass over 1700 square miles of the Lake, and Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego and Jefferson counties would encompass its coastline.
According to Ellen Brody, Regional Coordinator of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the designation process for eastern Lake Ontario began several years ago. “The Lake Ontario sanctuary was nominated back in 2017,” she told the large crowd in attendance. “We began the process in 2019, and formed the Special Advisory Council in 2020. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic affected the council’s ability to meet in person. We ended up holding eighteen meetings and all were virtual.”
Under the direction of Chairman Bill Crist, the council was able to prepare a draft Environmental Impact Statement and a draft Management Plan by late in 2021. Crist said,”Part of that plan was whether to include the 1,000 Islands area of the St. Lawrence River within the proposed boundaries of the sanctuary.” NOAA, however, chose not to include that area in the initial draft proposal, Foley said. She also said that Crist was flying into Washington on Wednesday to address the Congressional committee overseeing the proposed sanctuary.
During a brief PowerPoint presentation, Foley discussed the designated area’s historical significance, its archaeological interest and the cultural and recreational opportunities that the sanctuary would offer. She also said that two other public sessions were being held this week in Wolcott on March 1 and in Watertown on March 2, along with a virtual session on March 8.
Nine audience members rose to make comments following Foley’s presentation. All were unanimous in support of designating the area as a National Marine Sanctuary.
Jim Zarzynski, an underwater archaeologist from Saratoga County, called the proposed site “…a lighthouse for the rest of New York State,” while Karen Eichorn of SUNY-Oswego, Ben Heckethorn of Oswego High School and Mercedes Niess of the Oswego Maritime Museum all hailed the educational possibilities the sanctuary would provide. “When I came to Oswego I was told that this area was a best kept secret,” said Eichorn. “With the designation as a National Marine Sanctuary, it won’t be a secret any longer.”
A couple of those who spoke, including Ray Tucker of Jefferson County and Jim Weiser, a dive shop operator from Wayne County, commented that the 1000 Islands area should be included due to the historical significance of several shipwrecks located in that area.
Foley said that all of the comments from these meetings would be reviewed, along with the draft environmental and management proposals before a final designation would be made. “We’re realistically about a year from the designation becoming official,” she said. “We’ll want to hold our celebration in the warmer weather.”
