EPA officials recently called Braddock Bay, “the crown jewel of New York’s coastal wetlands,” and the College at Brockport and Hilton Central School will be a part of studying how well the ongoing Ecosystem Restoration project is working.
During a news conference in late April, Town of Greece, local and state officials, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District officials celebrated the completion of the first phase of the project and detailed work, which will be completed in phase two.
“It’s a project we’ve been waiting for since the 1970’s,” Greece Town Supervisor William Reilich said. The project, “restores nature to what it was and keeps boats on the channel. It’s a win-win project.”
The $8 million restoration returns Braddock Bay into a premier wildlife, conservation, recreation destination, said Chris Zeltmann, regional director for Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer worked to get EPA funding for the project.
Zeltmann explained work on phase one was completed over the winter and included clearing channels and digging potholes for wildlife. Invasive cattail monoculture was removed to encourage biodiversity, including the growth of native sedge grass.
The restoration facilitates an emergent marsh with habitat for fish, waterfowl and migratory birds. The marsh had become eroded over the years by wave action from the lake and was choked with cattail growth.
Phase two will include the construction of a barrier beach at the mouth of Braddock Bay to reduce erosion, lower wave action, and create habitat for shore birds.
“It’s good for the environment and good for people who want to enjoy the water,” State Senator Joseph Robach said.
Native sedge grass can be seen growing in the Braddock Bay emergent marsh. Invasive cattails had choked the marsh. Their removal encourages biodiversity in plant life and creates habitat for fish spawning and bird nesting. K. Gabalski photo
Phase two additionally includes the creation of an approximately 200 feet wide, 8 feet deep navigational channel, which will facilitate boaters entering Lake Ontario.
NYS DEC Region 8 Director Paul D’Amato said his agency is confident the project will work to significantly restore habitat. “I grew up on the west side of Rochester and this has a lot of meaning to me,” he said.
The College at Brockport will be involved in a two-year environmental monitoring effort, project manager Sheila Hint of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told the Suburban News/Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. “The college will help to track wildlife and how it is affected by the environmental improvements.”
Additionally, work is underway on an agreement with the Hilton Central School District, which involves learning opportunities for students in high school science classes. “Students can come and volunteer to do plantings and tour the channels in the summer as part of their earth science classes,” Hint said.
Greece Supervisor Reilich said during the news conference that the town is seeking a new operator for the Braddock Bay Marina. He explained that the town will accommodate boaters at the marina this season, and that it will remain open during construction.
“Let folks do the work (this year) and next year it will be behind us and (lake access) will be better than we have seen in 40 years,” Supervisor Reilich said. “It is what it has been and will get better.”
Phase two is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
