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Council highlights volunteer effort to remove invasive water chestnut along local shoreline
Summary
Councilors and local officials praised a St. Lawrence University-led volunteer effort funded by the New York Power Authority to remove invasive water chestnut from shoreline and spawning areas; volunteers and the city will coordinate outreach.
Councilors on April 11 raised concern about a local outbreak of invasive water chestnut that has proliferated above the dam and threatens spawning grounds for bass, walleye, muskellunge and other fish.
Councilor (unnamed in transcript) said Saint Lawrence University biology professor Brad Baldwin and a student group surveyed shoreline areas and sought the city’s support; the group subsequently received a grant from the New York Power Authority’s St. Lawrence River Research and Education Fund to undertake removal work at sites including Tibbetts Creek. The council thanked Mayor Michael Tooley for writing a letter of support that helped secure funding.
A resident who lives below the dam said they had received notice that some parties plan to chemically treat water chestnut and that they will provide the city manager with permitting paperwork. Councilors encouraged volunteer participation and noted training has been provided to members of local sportsmen’s clubs. The mayor and staff asked for volunteer contact information to be shared with the city so outreach can be coordinated.
