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Residents press board to reopen Swan Bay outflow; town says culvert application is under review
Summary
Multiple residents urged action after decades of siltation in Swan Bay; town staff said it submitted an application to the Army Corps, DEC and Department of State, and that agencies have asked for more technical details. Staff warned that permitting and hydrology studies may be required and timeline could be long.
Residents at the meeting described long‑term siltation in Swan Bay that they say has reduced river access and harmed fish spawning habitat. "We do not have maybe 6 weeks that we can even keep our boats in the water," David R. Johnson said, urging the town to act and to consider tax relief if river access is permanently lost.
Several residents described historical maps showing an outflow or culvert and urged the town to re‑establish an outflow to restore oxygenation and fisheries. Greg Wills said fishing in the bay has declined significantly in his lifetime and called for action to restore spawning habitat.
Town engineer Rob Tanfey told the board staff submitted an application to replace the culvert and that four agencies are involved, naming the Army Corps of Engineers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Department of State. He said the Army Corps has asked for additional information about culvert size, disturbance and restoration plans and that the town is preparing written responses. "They're concerned about sediment transport because when you open that back up, you get that," Tanfey said.
Staff and an ecological restoration organization representative said the permitting process is complex: DEC's wetland permitting recently changed and agencies may require hydrology and environmental studies, a process that could take substantial time and money. The ecological representative said his organization has not taken a formal position and will engage only if the DEC and other agencies identify a clear path forward.
Board members urged residents to provide any historical maps or photographs that could support permit applications, and the town said it will post application materials and agency responses online and pursue a possible public meeting with the DEC to answer resident questions directly.
