Brockport leaders and residents had the opportunity to learn more about the New York State Canal Corporation’s vegetation management plan, which will remove trees and brush along the canal embankment in Orleans and Monroe Counties between now and the end of the year, during an information session Wednesday, October 4.
The session was held in the Tuttle Athletic Complex on The College at Brockport campus. Canal Corporation officials displayed maps of project work areas and answered questions for those in attendance.
Steven Gosset, Canal Corp spokesman, said the removal of trees and shrubs will occur, “only on canal property,” at 56 locations in and around Medina, Albion, Brockport, Spencerport and Pittsford.
Canal Corp officials say the vegetation management project is necessary to restore the integrity of the canal embankments and improve the Canal Corp’s ability to properly manage the condition of embankments. The main purpose of the project is to protect communities surrounding the canal from potential flooding due to structural failures.
Trees and vegetation can weaken embankments through root structure growth, officials said, by providing pathways for seepage.
“We need to be able to inspect and monitor the integrity of canal embankments,” Gosset said.
He emphasized that the work is taking place only on Canal Corp property and that crews will be working to be as, “minimally intrusive as possible.”
“We have surveyed,” Gosset said regarding private property lines, “where there is doubt, we will err on the side of caution.”
Gosset noted the work will also result in opening up a better view of the canal. “We will work to maintain a certain aesthetic,” he said. “It may be a different view, but still nice.”
Once brush and trees are removed, stumps will be excavated and removed and areas will be regraded, Canal Corp officials say. All disturbed areas will be restored by establishing a grass surface which will be maintained by the Canal Corporation.
“We want to be pro-active and not re-active,” said Howard Goebel, Canal Corp deputy director of canal engineering, construction and maintenance. The process of clearing brush and trees to aid in the maintenance of the canal is, “good engineering practice,” he said.
Brockport Mayor Margaret Blackman attended the session and said she felt it was helpful, particularly the maps which showed exactly where work will be done, and a fact sheet which was made available.
“I know several of the Canal Corp people, so the opportunity to speak with them about concerns – and the compromised canal wall in front of 60 Clinton Street – was useful, as was the opportunity to meet with Steve Gosset,” Blackman said. “One of the problems Brockport residents might have had, was the clear cutting job that National Grid did along the canal bank from Main Street to the High Street Bridge, which left stumps and all low growth vegetation. This is not how the Canal Corp is doing it.”
Meeting has been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
