Fish & Wildlife Conservation:
 
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Fish Enhancement, Mitigation and Research Fund

New York Field Office Federal Projects:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinates with the Service on all proposed construction projects, such as for flood control, shoreline stabilization, or navigation. Our role is to ensure that construction is planned with a view toward conservation of fish and wildlife. Whitney Point Water Management Project: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Susquehanna River Basin Commission are proposing to release water from the Whitney Point Reservoir to enhance downstream aquatic resources. We have been working with these agencies to ensure that water releases are delayed until moderate to severe drought conditions occur. Sauquoit Creek Flood Control Project: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has been evaluating a flood control project for the Village of Whitesboro, Oneida County. The project currently proposed would convert over one mile of Sauquoit Creek to an excavated flood control channel. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned that the currently proposed flood control project would adversely impact significant fish and wildlife resources in and along Sauquoit Creek. We have recommended ways to avoid and minimize impacts to these resources by reevaluating non-structural alternatives or a combination of non-structural and less environmentally damaging structural alternatives. Bone Run: Bone Run is a cool water tributary to the Allegheny River and empties into the Allegheny Reservoir in Cattaraugus County, New York. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is studying the feasibility of constructing an earthen dike across Bone Run to create an impoundment as part of an ecosystem restoration project in the Town of South Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York. The project area is located adjacent to a causeway which carries West Perimeter Road over Bone Run. Under the authority of Section 1135 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Pittsburgh District is studying the feasibility of creating an 1,800-foot long by 100-foot wide dike, with water control structure, adjacent and parallel to the existing causeway to inundate approximately 45 acres of land. Due to fluctuations in water elevations within Allegheny Reservoir, the amount of shallow wetland habitat diminishes during seasonal drawdowns. Currently, Bone Run flows under the causeway through a 15-foot diameter metal culvert. The goal of the project is to create a structure which will allow high water to enter behind the new dike and become trapped during the seasonal drawdown of the Allegheny Reservoir. In addition to creating the shallow water impoundment, it is believed the project will enhance approximately 25 acres of existing wetlands. It is anticipated that the area will provide recreational fishing for warm and cool water species. A boat launch and parking area are proposed adjacent to Bone Run Road, although specific details are not yet available. The Service recommended that the project's environmental documents include an evaluation of the potential impact, both positive and negative, on future water quality, wetland habitat, and fish and wildlife resources with and without project implementation. Adverse impacts of the project on existing resources must be weighed against any potential benefits. Hudson River Restoration: Many of the freshwater tidal wetlands along the Hudson River have been lost to historic dredge/fill operations and shoreline development such as riprap or bulkhead installation. These habitat are valuable nursery and foraging areas for a variety of fish species. They are also used by wading birds, waterfowl, and shorebirds. The Service is assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in restoring and enhancing some of these wetlands on Schodack-Houghtaling Island and near the mouth of Mill Creek in Greene and Columbia Counties. Restoration efforts include removal of historic fill material and establishing tidal flow to these areas. Enhancement efforts include improving the flow in tidal creeks that feed these wetlands, removing invasive/exotic plant species such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and common reed (Phragmites australis), and establishing native plant communities with high value to fish and wildlife species.