DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Erie Canal Neighbors Association
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Perinton/Fairport Canal Community Discussion
*****************************************************
#Post#: 2507--------------------------------------------------
ECCO What is that?
DIR By: Michael Caswell
Date: November 25, 2023, 6:31 am
---------------------------------------------------------
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/the-stop-the-clearcut-argument/all's-quite-at-the-stcc-forum/?message=2506
Here are the points I felt needed addressing in Perinton's ECCO.
Shouldn't that be ECCCO? Erie Canal Conservation Corridor
Overlay (ECCO). Heck! They can't even get that right.
Firstly, let's discuss what the Town of Perinton is feebly
attempting to do. It plainly states their intent in their naming
of their project. OVERLAY.
The NYPA have spent millions of dollars designing a perfectly
good system to address the canals future, and these folks want
to plonk this nonsense on top of it, as an 'overlay'? It's a
feeble attempt to garner votes perhaps?
Preserve woodlands, wetlands, and other green space.
Exactly what does that mean? Keep it just the way it is?
Despite all the experts telling them the trees and veggies have
to go because the embankments have become unsafe?
Use vegetation and green infrastructure to help reduce the
velocity and volume of storm water runoff entering the Erie
Canal.
Is this an excuse to keep all these weeds on the dams, because
the storm water would have already left the dam slopes? Trying
to keep tree removal to 1/3 of the current amount over 6".
Of course the question is where did that rule come from,
regarding earthen dams, and what purpose does it serve to leave
a tree for what might only be 3-5 more years before it will
qualify for removal @ 6"? And how is one supposed to mow,
inspect and get fast access with large machinery, when these
larger trees are in the way?
There's no logic or reasoning applied, so this will fail, like
the last one. Any tree left is an issue, for public safety
reasons.
Encourage land uses that take advantage of the Town’s location
on the canal to provide amenities for residents and visitors in
a manner that complements, not competes with or detracts from,
the canal’s aesthetic, environmental, economic, and cultural
value.
Pure waffle
Removal of Vegetation
No property owner shall be permitted to remove existing
vegetation within 50 feet of canal high-water mark or more than
33 percent of trees with minimum six-inch caliper.
Not sure what they are getting at here. Lets say NYPA decide to
remove stuff from their canal property. So they have to ask
permission from Perinton? JOKING EH?
Tree Inventory is required for all site plan applications
It's all about the trees. This entire document.
NYS Canal Corporation Earthen Embankment Integrity Program
(EEIP)
• Where removal of vegetation is proposed as part of a NYS Canal
Corporation or NYS Power Authority project, it is expected that
Perinton will be informed and consulted in accordance with the
EEIP. As part of this process, Perinton will hold at least one
public hearing to inform the community of the project and allow
for public comment.
Public hearings have already been done and the input from the
public noted.
Legislative intent
To implement the vision, goals, and recommendations of the
Comprehensive Plan and other local plans and studies focused on
the protection of the natural and cultural resources, including
mature trees and vegetation, historic landmarks, recreational
opportunities, public access points, trails, and scenic views
along the Erie Canal.
Mature trees and vegetation. That is all this waffle is about.
This ECCO is full of vagueries Totally unenforceable, in my
opinion.
#Post#: 2509--------------------------------------------------
Re: ECCO What is that?
DIR By: Doug K
Date: December 5, 2023, 7:33 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Do you want the "quick answer" to that question, Michael? I took
a few minutes to review the proposal
HTML https://perinton.org/wp-content/uploads/ECCO_presentation_081423.pdf
It's a feeble and non-fact supported attempt, by the Town of
Perinton, to turn the Entire Erie Canal, within the boundaries
of the Town, into a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program
(LWRP)... but without actually using that term to describe it.
Now for the EXPLANATION & FACTS that support that statement:
Mr Hanna is very aware that calling this property by its real
term, an LWRP, won't stop the NYS Canal Corporation from
performing their much needed Earthen Embankment Maintenance
Work. The Canal Corporation has clearly defined how their EEIP
program, to clear these embankments, will handle LWRPs.
And Perinton is trying to avoid doing all the work required by
New York State to define that Local Waterfront Program, because
it won't protect something they are calling a "viewshed". This
statement is at the heart of the ECCO Presentation, the idea
that Perinton residents are entitled to a particular "view"
around the Erie Canal...
Develop standards and criteria to establish a Erie Canal Scenic
and Cultural Overlay District to help protect the viewshed along
the canal.
Here's what NYS says about Local Waterfront Revitalization:
HTML https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program
Here is what the Earthen Embankment Integrity Program says about
LWRPs:
8. EEIP activities are likely to have moderate to large impacts
on aesthetic resources. In many locations of potential actions,
the land use of surrounding areas is different from the Canal
System embankments and visibility of potential actions from
federal, state or local scenic or aesthetic resources will be
changed by the proposed action.
a. Identification of aesthetically sensitive areas due to
historical, recreational, educational, natural features using
publicly available information through NYS Parks (including
SHPO), the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, and other
state, regional or local resources (including lists of
designated scenic resources);
b. Approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRPs)
where an aesthetic resource has been identified;
Somehow Mr Hanna must feel that by using something "different"
than the "legal" NY State terminology for this type of work,
Perinton can avoid those rules around Public Safety in and
around Public Property, property that's owned by the State of
NY. And he can't call the entire Erie Canal in his Town an
"aesthetic resources", without exposing the inherent bias he has
on this matter, can he?
NYPA has been clear that NYS Laws already states that no one has
a "right to a view", especially a view that involves keeping
trees growing on the face of an earthen dam.
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/links-to-documents/fema's-new-state-dam-safety-program-manual-spells-the-end-of-unsafe-erie-canal-e/msg2377/#msg2377
Unfortunately for Mr Hanna, the Federal Government & NYS Dept of
Environmental Conservation will NEVER agree with his biased view
of the Erie Canal Embankment Integrity matter. And neither will
the owners & caretakers of the Erie Canal System, New York Power
& Canal Authority
And that folks is a blessing for all Erie Canal Neighbors living
in Perinton, who would be unduly burdened with new FEMA Flood
Zone Insurance requirements, that Mr Hanna doesnt seem to care
about, but would become a real possibility if the earthen dams
are not brought into compliance.
Just because the Town Supervisor for Perinton wants to "rename"
some land that consists of unmaintained, high hazard Earthen
Dams to a fancy new acronym, doesn't change anything about the
safety of the embankments located there, or the State & Federal
Laws & Guidelines regarding proper maintenance of those man-made
structures.
Residents in Perinton should be asking their Town Supervisor why
he continues to avoid the "public safety" aspects of his new
ECCCO idea... that's the real issue here.
#Post#: 2510--------------------------------------------------
Re: ECCO What is that?
DIR By: Doug K
Date: December 6, 2023, 6:57 am
---------------------------------------------------------
And if you look online, seaching for the term Environmental
Overlay District you can see this is a new idea forming in the
Hudson Valley region of NY State.
HTML https://hudson.dnr.cals.cornell.edu/events/conservation-overlay-zoning
Most who are looking to adopt this new idea are doing so for
Conservation purposes, to protect both local resorces, and
protect people AND the safety of houses, that are located in
Hazardous Areas. These are applicable in areas similar to the
current situation in Perinton where many homeowners & residents
unknowingly live below hazardous, unmaintained, earthen
embankments. This website describes that effort.
HTML https://preliminaryzoninganalysis.com/blog/environmental-protection-overlay-district/
The key takeaway is about Environmental Overlay Safety...
An Environmental Protection Overlay District (EPOD) is an
overlay zone located in sensitive environmental places in which
special building regulations and restrictions operate in order
to help to maintain natural structures
The main aim of the EPOD is to maintain natural spaces, provide
a safe environment for residents and control the safety of
houses located on hazardous areas, keep the surface water clean,
preserve habitats of wild animals, maintain slope and soil
stability, as well as maintaining open spaces between buildings.
Mr Hanna cannot simply create this new Overlay Zone, and then
totally disregard the data presented by experts in New York
State who have said the Erie Canal is made of high hazard dams,
that need to be cleared of all invasive vegetation.
Or can he?
He has conveniently minimized the Canal's Embankment Safety
Issues for the past 5 years, with the help of a delusional
social media group. It appears to be working so far...
Once again, the citizens of Perinton deserve better, when it
comes to their safety, and the safety of their community. Mr.
Hanna intends to join the "save the trees" movement, despite the
clear evidence that these trees are putting the community he
serves in danger. Hopefully the Canal Corporation and NYS DEC
can talk some sense into the Perinton Leadership, but it's
doubtful.
At the end of the day this ECCO idea is looking more like a
stunt to gain support from a Facebook group, and to garner votes
for Mr. Hanna's re-election that for what Environmental Overlay
Zones are supposed to be used for...
Protection of the Public
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1