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DIR Return to: Erie Canal & Embankment Dam Integrity
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#Post#: 1612--------------------------------------------------
ECNA releases their statement supporting the EEIP Guidebook
& SEQR Statement
DIR By: Doug K
Date: July 14, 2021, 4:56 pm
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Here's the ECNA's statement regarding the recent Canal
Corporation Earthen Embankment Integrity Program (EEIP)
Guidebook / EIS Release. This will be shared at the EEIP Public
Meeting on Zoom at 7pm today as well,
Statement on the EEIP Program from the Erie Canal Neighbors
Association
The NYS Canal Corporation has done a good job outlining the
dangers with their aging earthen embankments, and provided
enough evidence, to show that trees on earthen dams can spell
disaster if not properly maintained. Anyone stating that trees
"stabilize" earthen dams, or that the "only time" the canal has
seen issues is when work is being done on it, is simply not
stating KNOWN facts.
A recent embankment breach in Macedon/Palmyra has limited all
canal travel there since May 17 this year.
The Canal Corporation also had to close 15 miles of the canal
system, keep it empty, from Brockport to Holley earlier this
season, due to "escaping water" at the Erie St Embankment in
Brockport. That is where steel plating was hammered in to
strengthen the leaking earthen dam there, similar to what
happened in Spencerport & Perinton in 2018.
The draft Environmental Impact Statement released as part of
EEIP has dispelled the "myth" being spread by a local Facebook
Group, about what some are calling a "clear-cutting" that is
going on. The SEQR EIS document explains that a clear-cut
approach was an option that was rejected, along with actually
abandoning the Canal and leaving it empty.
Think that over, the OWNERS & CARETAKERS of the Canal System
actually thought the seriousness of unsafe dams was enough to
warrant closure, to save the cost of repair, which will be
nearly $300 million for the 100 miles of Earthen Embankments
that still need repair. Just one way to insure Public Safety at
the lowest cost.
Listed in the NYSCC's EEIP Environmental Impact Statement are
the consequences of doing NOTHING and letting trees continue to
grow along the Erie Canal. The Canal Corporation has shown that
a flood, with possible loss of life & property, could be the
result in all cases along the Canal System, if this were to
happen.
Public Safety should not a debatable topic, it should never be
minimized to that level, there is never a “right” time to leave
the public in danger from unsafe canal embankments, and these
embankment must ALL be repaired. It’s not a matter of personal
preference anymore, it’s about public safety now.
Issues that may affect the SAFETY & WELL-BEING of NY Residents
cannot be “ignored” by State Agencies like the NYS Canal Corp,
or New York Power Authority. They have taken an OATH to protect
all of us, the public.
For those that think the Canal Corporation should simply “change
their minds” about Earthen Dam Safety, or NYPA should “ignore”
the recent Embankment Inspections that resulted in
identification of urgent, high hazard dams along the Erie Canal,
they can’t.
They understand that in the end, the State of NY will be
“liable” for a Canal Flood.
Flood Inundation Mapping, Appendix B provided in that same EEIP
Guidebook Package, shows that hundreds if not thousands of
Monroe County Residents would be affected, and most do NOT live
next to or even near the Canal, they are 2-3 miles away, and may
be under as much as 6 feet of water or more.
Every single Town, Village and Neighborhood that touches the
Canal or its Trail Embankments, should be asking for THEIR own
area’s Flood Inundation Mapping to be done. This way any
residents in danger of a possible canal flooding can assess
their OWN needs to insure their property and their lives.
Anyone in the County, living North, South, East or West of the
Erie Canal & Embankment Trail, may be in a Flood Inundation
Zone, and not know it.
Erie Canal Neighbors will most likely be reporting the trickle
of water on their property, which alerts the Canal Corporation
to investigate a potential breach. Proper clearing of the Canal
Embankments would allow not only Canal Embankment Inspectors to
see potential issues with leaking, but also allow Canal
Neighbors the same view to insure their section of Embankment is
“functioning as designed”.
It’s a FACT that ALL trees on the Embankments pose a threat to
either the integrity of the earthen embankment, and from tree
limbs falling on unsuspecting Trail & Waterway traffic. And the
plan is to remove all invasive vegetation on embankments,
because that is what is expected of Dam Owners in NY State.
It’s time to make NYS & the Erie Canal SAFE AGAIN, support the
work of repairing overgrown Canal Embankments, support the work
of the Earthen Embankment Integrity Program when it comes to
your neighborhood.
It’s the BEST thing you can do for your safety, and that of your
family & neighbors.
Thank you, visit the ECNA at www.ecna.us
Visit our Canal Neighbors Forum at
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com/index.php
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