Onondaga Lake Loop the Lake Trail/Southeast Extension Project
Dear Onondaga Lake Watershed Community,
The following information was posted in today’s Environmental Notice Bulletin.
Notice of Extension of Public Comment Period and Legislative Public Comment Hearing
Applicant:
Onondaga County
1100 Civic Center
421 Montgomery Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
Facility:
Loop-the-Lake Trail- Southeast Extension
Hiawatha Boulevard West Rear between Ley and Onondaga Creek/FWW SYW-12
Syracuse NY 13204
Application Number:
DEC #7-3115-00535/0001 Article 24 Freshwater Wetlands Permit
Prior Notice:
On June 24, 2019 the DEC issued a Notice of Complete Application: https://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20190626_reg7.html
Current Notice:
This Notice serves to provide the public notification of the extension of the public comment period from August 28, 2019 until September 26, 2019. The public is also provided notice that New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) will hold a public comment hearing on September 25, 2019. Details of the hearing are provided below.
Project Description:
The applicant proposes to construct the Southeast Extension of the Loop the Lake Trail. The trail connects to the Onondaga Creekwalk and Lake Lounge, traverses approximately 1,972 linear feet to a turnaround point, then returns to a common start/end point. The proposal includes an ADA-compliant, multi-use trail along Onondaga Lake and through NYS Class 1 Freshwater Wetland SYW-12 consisting of: a 10 foot wide steel pile boardwalk along Onondaga Lake Shoreline, a 10 foot wide helical pile boardwalk through the wetland and a 10 foot wide stone dust trail some of which is located through associated wetland adjacent areas. The project is located within subsite Wastebed B/Harbor Brook, a part of the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site and is currently undeveloped and vegetated by forested and herbaceous cover. The property is bordered by Onondaga Lake to the west, Onondaga Creek to the south, Ley Creek to the north and CSXT tracks and DestiNY USA to the east. The applicant has proposed to close the trail from December 1 through March 31 to avoid impacts to winter roosting habitat for state listed (threatened) bald eagles.
Document Availability:
Persons wishing to inspect the subject files, including the applications with all relevant supporting materials, and all other materials available to DEC (the “permitting authority”) that are relevant to these permitting decisions should contact the NYS DEC representative listed below.
Project Location:
The project is located within subsite Wastebed B/Harbor Brook, a part of the Onondaga Lake Superfund Site and is currently undeveloped and vegetated by forested and herbaceous cover. The property is bordered by Onondaga Lake to the west, Onondaga Creek to the south, Ley Creek to the north and CSXT tracks and DestiNY USA to the east.
State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Determination:
The project is an Unlisted Action and will not have a significant impact on the environment. A Negative Declaration is on file. A coordinated review was performed.
State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination:
A cultural resource survey was completed and cultural resources were identified. Based on information provided in the survey report, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) determined that the project will have no adverse impact on registered or eligible archaeological sites or historic structures. No further review in accordance with SHPA is required.
Coastal Management:
This project is not located in a Coastal Management area and is not subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act.
Environmental Justice:
It has been determined that the proposed action is not subject to CP-29.
Written Comments:
All written comments concerning the freshwater wetlands project proposal must be submitted to the NYS DEC Contact Person listed below by September 26, 2019. Comments sent by regular mail must be postmarked no later than September 26, 2019. Email and Fax comments must be received by 5:00 P.M. (EDT), September 26, 2019.
All public comments on these permits will be reviewed by NYS DEC Staff to determine whether they raise substantive and significant issues that warrant further review through adjudication. Specific comments must be supported by full documentation and references should be limited to readily available information.
Public Comment Hearing:
A public comment hearing session to receive unsworn statements from the public on the applications and the draft permits, described above, will be held before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Molly McBride at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the OnCenter Convention Center, 800 South State Street, Syracuse, New York. All persons, organizations, corporations, or government agencies which may be affected by the proposed project are invited to attend the public comment hearing and to submit oral or written comments. It is not necessary to file in advance to speak at the legislative hearing. Lengthy statements should be in writing and summarized for oral presentation. Reasonable time limits may be set for each speaker to afford everyone an opportunity to be heard. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written statements. The hearing location is fully accessible to persons with mobility impairment. Interpreter services shall be made available to deaf persons at no charge upon written request to the ALJ at least 10 days prior to the hearing, pursuant to the State Administrative Procedures Act. Requests should be submitted to ALJ Molly McBride, NYS DEC – Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1550, Phone: (518) 402-9003.
Contact:
Trendon Choe
NYS DEC – Region 7 Office
Division of Environmental Permits
615 Erie Boulevard West, 2nd Floor
Syracuse, NY 13204-2400
Phone: (315) 426-7445
Fax: (315) 426-7425
E-mail: DEP.R7@dec.ny.gov