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#Post#: 1980--------------------------------------------------
Embankment Maintenance or Clear-Cutting, what's the real
difference?
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 8, 2022, 10:17 am
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As an Engineer I understand the value of correct definitions,
they are integral to understanding and solving everyday
problems, no matter how easy or complex.
And as an Engineer I also understand that without actually
spelling definitions out and agreeing on what the proper
definition of "something" might be, all parties are left to
"their own opinions" on what actually defines the subject, the
problem, the solutions etc.
And that leads to discourse on what should be simple
understanding of common sense and the written laws of the State.
That seems to be the problem with Erie Canal Embankment
Maintenance, it's definition isn't well understood by the
general public, and the NY State Laws and REQUIREMENT around
water-impounding, earthen structures are not well accepted.
Especially by those who are fighting against fixing the problems
with the Canal System.
So what is Embankment Maintenance and why is it so important?
The New York State Canal Corporation has just released a new
Embankment Maintenance Handbook. It can be found here:
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/
HTML https://www.canals.ny.gov/Earthen_Embankment/DGEIS/2021-03-09_DRAFT_FINAL_Embankment_Maintenance_Guidebook.pdf
This Embankment Maintenance manual was part of a 3 year effort
by New York Power Authority and NYS Canals, to fully understand
the issues with the Erie Canal, it's Earthen Embankments, and
what would be needed to insure NY State residents are kept safe,
from an aging, weary 100 year old, Erie Canal.
This MANUAL was born out of a lawsuit filed by those who oppose
any "clear-cutting" (as they call this) of the natural
surroundings of the Erie Canal.
Never mind the fact that the Erie Canal is "man-made" and is a
series of linked earthen embankments that suspend and hold water
above the surrounding topography of most towns and villages it
passes through.
The Canal Corporation has made it clear that they have an
"embankment safety" issue, and are in the process of clearing up
their overgrown property, and in their manual they have made
their case strongly in support of their embankment safety work.
The new manual states quite frequently what happens if they do
NOT clear embankments of invasive vegetation and replace it with
the ONLY approved covering for Earthen Embankment Dams in NY
State... terrible, catastrophic floods
The NYS Canal plan: remove all "unapproved & invasive"
vegetation that would be REPLACED with standard turf grass &
clover, cut & maintained to a height of 12-18".
Simply put... Embankment Maintenance is what is done to prevent
Earthen Dams from breaching and causing FLOODS... it's removal
of trees off dams for public safety.
Go Take a look at some pictures of Embankments that are cleared:
HTML https://www.nyscanalintegrity.org/gallery-3
So if the normal clearing of earthen water impoundments is
referred to as Embankment Maintenance, what is the definition of
"clear-cutting"?
Well it's when trees are harvested from a section of "land" for
profit, according to most DEFINITIONS. No other reason, public
safety isn't involved, it's not for any other purpose than to
sell those trees for the value of the wood.
There are some valid reasons for clear cutting to protect the
public but most times it's considered in the negative way.
Trees are removed, tree stumps are left, cutting debris all
over, and it stays that way until "nature" covers it up again.
Now there are some "clear-cutting" areas done FOR the SAFETY of
the public, we have all seen these but maybe not realized it.
The way that main powerlines in the State are ALWAYS cleared of
any vegetation.
Around the Rochester area many of the highways have been having
50' of trees cleared away. Who hasn't seen where they cut huge
swaths of forest as "fire breaks" to hopefully stop the advance
of a forest fire?
And the Canal Corporation is NOT selling wood, they are not just
leaving stumps around to rot, they are removing them all and
replanting grass & wildflowers, after they properly repair and
inspect their earthen dam surface.
This is hardly "clear-cutting" as some might say it is. In every
other part of the world it's called Dam Maintenance.
But for those who want to know what clear-cutting looks like, I
did manage to find an article about someone that did "clear-cut"
in Virginia, over 400 trees.
And it wasn't for the wood value, it wasn't to protect the
public from a fire, none of these trees were a danger, unlike
the trees along the Erie Canal, which present a clear & present
danger to Canal Communities.
Nope, these trees in Virginia were cut because the property
owner wanted a better "view". He wanted his friends to enjoy the
property with less trees and views of the river alongside.
Can you guess who this "genius" was? Everyone knows him.
Wait....
Here it comes....
Former-President Donald Trump
[attachimg=1]
HTML https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-news/about-a-dozen-trees-cut-dumped-into-potomac-river-at-trump-golf-club-in-va/2019/02/28/992ce89a-3a14-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html
Please support Erie Canal System Embankment MAINTENANCE
activities in New York State.
Help the NYS Canal Corporation do it's JOB and clear these
unsafe Erie Canal Embankments. Support Canal Integrity &
Sustainability.
Please sign our Petition Here:
HTML https://www.change.org/p/join-your-neighbors-support-vegetation-removal-from-erie-canal-for-safety
#Post#: 1981--------------------------------------------------
Re: Embankment Maintenance or Clear-Cutting, what's the real
difference?
DIR By: Doug K
Date: February 8, 2022, 10:34 am
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And so you all understand, as an Engineer might, the outcome
stated in the new Embankment Maintenance Manual if FLOODS... so
maybe go and take a look at a few from 2021 in other parts of
the world, from other canals.
Here's a few Links and headlines, of other Canals, that either
got required maintenance or they eventually flooded...
INDIA
HTML https://youtu.be/q5BiCfIfaIE
HTML https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/breach-in-indravati-south-canal-embankment-floods-farmland-in-kalahandi
HTML https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x81vc9j
ENGLAND
HTML https://youtu.be/_FvIGvTauvg
HTML https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/aire-and-calder-navigation-breach
HTML https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/goole-snaith-flooding-embankment-collapse-5348844
UNITED STATES
HTML https://www.sfwmd.gov/our-work/flood-control/keeping-row-clear
HTML https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/local_news/state-looks-to-resume-erie-canal-tree-clearance/article_7f4b89c0-77cb-5492-950e-ad56e2861a72.html
HTML https://auburnpub.com/news/local/erie-canal-levels-lowered-in-macedon-after-creek-bank-collapse/article_5faa6aa3-5f8b-54ec-a618-6d16f3a50713.html
HTML https://whcuradio.com/news/025520-severe-flooding-hits-parts-of-upstate-new-york-closes-part-of-erie-canal/
And if you still think that "these embankments aren't going
anywhere" maybe go and read this post:
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/links-to-documents/that-dam-is-not-going-anywhere!/
What do Embankments look like AFTER they have been maintained
you ask?
Go and see for yourself
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/general-discussion/erie-canal-embankment-trail-work-is-now-complete-see-the-latest-pictures/
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