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Sandy Creek pen expansion and Lake Ontario stocking review highlighted; Friends of Hamlin Beach awarded $135,000 grant
Summary
Officials reported plans to expand fish-rearing pens at Sandy Creek with DEC support, noted a regional review of the Lake Ontario stocking plan, and said Friends of Hamlin Beach received a $135,000 Parks & Trails New York grant for a hexagon building revitalization.
Members updated the board on fishery and park initiatives. The Sandy Creek pen project will add pens in phases to expand rearing capacity; committee members described an informal contract arrangement with local partners to build two pens this year and two next year, with DEC funds (about $100,000) set aside to support the work. The goal is to increase hatchery capacity and raise more fish for direct stocking.
A member who participates on the Lake Ontario Fishery Advisory Panel said the regional trout and salmon stocking plan — typically set on a five- to six-year cycle — is under review this year, and local representatives are participating in that process.
In parks news, Friends of Hamlin Beach received a $135,000 Parks & Trails New York Partnership Grant to continue revitalizing the hexagon building in Area 4 and convert it into a nature/visitor center. Miss Janine said this was the second such $135,000 grant awarded to the nonprofit and that the money will fund continued renovation work.
Committee members also noted that the current Hamlin Beach State Park manager plans to retire and relocate between now and June; they praised the manager’s partnership with the friends group and said succession plans will be handled by the state park agency.
What’s next: Work on pen expansion continues in coordination with DEC and local partners; the stocking-plan review will proceed through the advisory panel; the friends group will continue revitalization work funded by the grant.
