Bikers Joan Schmitkons (left) and Tom Schmitkons (right) ride along the new trail extension near the Harbor Brook area.

Left: Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon (right) and New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (left) announcing the new trail extension on the southwestern shore of Onondaga Lake.
Right: The Loop-the-Lake Trail now extends nearly nine miles from Liverpool to Harbor Brook.

“The successful completion of the new trail extension marks another day of progress in the community. After almost 100 years, and as the result of an amazing public-private partnership, the public has access to and can enjoy this part of Onondaga Lake,” said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. “I want to thank and commend Honeywell for their collaboration and commitment to the lake, and for helping to reopen this body of water back to the public in ways it hasn’t been for generations.”

The new Loop-the-Lake Trail extension passes through wetlands where Honeywell has planted a variety of native plant species.

The Loop-the-Lake Trail extension (also called the Southwest Shore Recreation Trail Project) is one of several Natural Resource Damage Restoration projects on the Southwest Lakeshore; also included are improved fishing access, an angler parking lot, and the future installation of a deep-water fishing pier. These projects are being done as part of an agreement among Honeywell, Onondaga County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to restore and protect wildlife habitat and water quality, and to enhance recreational opportunities.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has already restored about 90 acres of wetlands and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. More than 270 wildlife species are now calling these areas home, and over 135 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake. Honeywell also is working with federal and state government officials on additional projects to restore and protect wildlife habitats and enhance recreational opportunities, including creating 100 acres of new native grassland habitat and conserving about 1,600 acres within the watershed.

Environment Analyst presented Honeywell with a “highly commended” certificate at the 2019 Brownfield Briefing Awards. The company was recognized for the Onondaga Lake Cleanup and Restoration in the Best International Project Category.

The Brownfield Briefing Awards celebrate excellence across the wide range of disciplines and activities in the brownfield sector. The awards aim to recognize “the outstanding achievements made by individuals and the collective, through the use of innovative techniques, awareness of sustainability, engagement of stakeholders and demonstration of best practice.”

Lord Matthew Taylor of Goss Moor (right) presents Honeywell’s Nicholas Tymko (center) with a “highly commended” certificate in the Best International Project category at the 2019 Brownfield Briefing Awards.

Environment Analyst hosted this year’s Brownfield Briefing Awards ceremony at The Hilton London Bankside on September 19. Fourteen awards and five commendations were presented.

The Onondaga Lake cleanup team has received the 2018 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the Syracuse section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The award recognizes the team’s “superior civil engineering skills” and “significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society.” The team, led by Honeywell, includes Parsons, OBG, Anchor QEA, and Sevenson Environmental Services.

Onondaga Lake cleanup team representatives accept the 2018 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the Syracuse section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

“The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award is presented annually to a project that represents the best of engineering in Central New York,” said ASCE Syracuse section President George Kalkowsky. “Honeywell’s leadership of the Onondaga Lake cleanup team is a prime example of many engineers coming together to improve the future by solving today’s challenges.”

“The Onondaga Lake cleanup continues to be recognized for its innovative approaches and contributions to engineering,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “Thanks to the work of a local team, the lake and nearby areas are once again attracting visitors and wildlife to a precious natural resource that is a key part of Central New York.”

Recognized as one of the largest lake restoration projects in North America, the Onondaga Lake cleanup is the result of more than two decades and millions of hours of intensive effort. The project was completed through an unwavering focus on sound science, technical excellence, community engagement, and sustainable practices, as well as a commitment to health and safety. Project innovations resulted in significant advancements in sediment remediation technology. The cleanup combined innovative dredging and capping designs with long-term habitat restoration, leading to an environmentally protective solution.

As part of the Onondaga Lake cleanup, Honeywell has restored about 90 acres of wetlands, and about 1.1 million native plants are being planted. The restored wetlands have become home to more than 250 wildlife species.
Onondaga Lake western shoreline before (left) and after (right) the cleanup.

Honeywell completed dredging in November 2014, a year ahead of schedule. About 2.2 million cubic yards of material was removed from the bottom of the lake using hydraulic dredges. Onondaga Lake capping was completed in December 2016. Habitat restoration, a major focus of the cleanup, was completed in 2017.

Watch a video about the impact of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

The Onondaga Lake cleanup team included Honeywell, Parsons, Anchor QEA, OBG, Geosyntec Consultants, Sevenson Environmental Services, Infrastructure Alternatives and de maximus.

“A world-class team of scientists, engineers, and skilled craft laborers worked with Honeywell to develop innovative approaches for challenging technical and ecological issues. The Onondaga Lake cleanup combined innovative dredging and capping designs with long-term habitat restoration leading to an environmentally protective solution,” said Honeywell Director of Remediation Design and Construction William Hague.

Recognized as one of the largest cleanup projects in North America, the Onondaga Lake restoration is the result of more than two decades and millions of hours of intensive effort. The project was completed through an unwavering focus on sound science, technical excellence, community engagement, sustainable practices, and a commitment to health and safety. Project innovations resulted in significant advancements in sediment remediation technology.

Nicholas Tymko, Honeywell Remediation Manager representing the Onondaga Lake cleanup team (center), accepts the Innovation in Project Design for Inland Dredging Award at the IHS Dredging and Port Construction Awards.

“Honeywell’s historic cleanup of Onondaga Lake was completed through the extraordinary efforts of state and federal regulators, educational institutions, elected officials, Onondaga County, and the community,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “Onondaga Lake is now home to more than 250 wildlife species, and has become a source of pride and optimism for the Central New York community.”

Honeywell completed dredging in November 2014, a year ahead of schedule. About 2.2 million cubic yards of material was removed from the bottom of the lake using hydraulic dredges. Onondaga Lake capping was completed in December 2016. Habitat restoration, a major focus of the cleanup, was completed in 2017.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Click here for a pdf of the Habitat Report.

The Onondaga Lake Cleanup Team received the 2017 Western Dredging Association (WEDA) Environmental Excellence Award for Environmental Dredging in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 28. WEDA recognized the team, led by Honeywell, for incorporating innovative technologies into an environmentally sustainable remedy for the restoration of Onondaga Lake, which is now becoming an economic driver for the region.

The Onondaga Lake cleanup team includes Honeywell, Parsons, Anchor QEA, OBG, Geosyntec Consultants, Sevenson Environmental Services, Infrastructure Alternatives, and de maximis.

Recognized as one of the largest restoration projects in North America, the Onondaga Lake cleanup is the result of more than two decades and millions of hours of intensive effort. The project was completed through an unwavering focus on sound science, technical excellence, community engagement, sustainable practices, and a commitment to health and safety. Project innovations resulted in significant advancements in sediment remediation technology. The cleanup combined innovative dredging and capping designs with long-term habitat restoration, leading to an environmentally protective solution.

Honeywell completed the dredging in November 2014, a year ahead of schedule. About 2.2 million cubic yards of material was removed from the bottom of the lake using hydraulic dredges. Onondaga Lake capping was completed in December 2016. Habitat restoration, a major focus of the cleanup, continues into the fall of 2017.

“Careful design, planning, and execution by a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and skilled craft laborers led to groundbreaking collaborative work on the largest sediment lake cleanup in the country,” said Honeywell Director of Remediation Design and Construction William Hague.

Onondaga Lake cleanup management team members, pictured left to right: Kendrick Jaglal, OBG; Tom Drachenberg, Parsons; John McAuliffe, Honeywell; William Hague, Honeywell; Brian Shanahan, Sevenson Environmental Services; Bill Cretens, Infrastructure Alternatives; and Walter Dinicola, Anchor QEA.

 

 

 

“The cleanup represents more than world-class investigations and engineering. The lake’s restoration is the return of a community jewel and a source of pride and optimism for Central New York,” said Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe. “We celebrate with the community in accepting this prestigious award.”

Pictured left to right: WEDA Environmental Commission Chair Craig Vogt, William Hague, John McAuliffe, and WEDA Board of Directors Chair and President Marcel Hermans.

 

 

 

WEDA is a member of the World Organization of Dredging Associations and covers North, Central, and South America. WEDA is dedicated to the exchange of knowledge in fields related to dredging, navigation, marine engineering, and construction by sponsoring or co-sponsoring national and international technical conferences, seminars, and symposiums, including publication and dissemination of the proceedings.

In 2014, WEDA awarded the Onondaga Lake Cleanup Team the WEDA Annual Safety Awardfor its outstanding safety record and performance. The award is presented to “corporations or projects that have been conducted with special attention and focus to public and worker health and safety.”

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Kate Adams, Honeywell’s senior vice president and general counsel, recently shared the story of the successful restoration of Onondaga Lake during her keynote address at CenterState CEO’s 2017 Annual Meeting. The luncheon was held at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center in Syracuse. It is Central New York’s largest annual gathering of business and community leaders.

Kate Adams, Honeywell senior vice president and general counsel, delivering the keynote address.

“I want to congratulate the people at Honeywell, who have worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and with local government to make sure that the next generations will know Syracuse as ‘the city on the lake’ in Central New York,” said New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Many in this community, when talking about the cleanup of Onondaga Lake, used to say, ‘Not in my lifetime,’” said Jim Fox, CenterState CEO chairman and OBG chief executive officer. “But, Honeywell changed the paradigm, and worked with stakeholders across government, the scientific community, and the public to implement a plan that was not only good for the environment, but for the broader Central New York community.”

“Honeywell has been at the center of one of this community’s most ambitious undertakings – the cleanup of Onondaga Lake. We were excited to have Kate share her perspective on Honeywell’s commitment to developing collaborative solutions that helped restore our lake to its rightful place as a remarkable community asset,” said Robert Simpson, CenterState CEO president. “As we look through the lens of history, this project serves as a reminder, and a model, for what can be achieved when we come together with a bold, long-term vision and take action to break through our most pressing challenges to drive transformative outcomes.”

During the event, Adams announced that the dredging and capping of Onondaga Lake are now complete. She reflected on the achievements, energy, expertise, and passion of the team that engaged in groundbreaking collaborative work on the largest sediment cleanup in the country. In addition, she spoke about Honeywell’s focus on technical excellence, dialogue with regulators, community engagement, corporate citizenship, and an unwavering goal to bring the best science to the lake cleanup.

“This is a remarkable and unprecedented accomplishment,” said Adams. “This is your lake. This is your success. This is happening in our lifetimes.”

Adams also mentioned that federal and state agencies recently announced 20 new projects designed to increase public access, provide new fishing piers and boat docks, and enhance and preserve about 1,400 acres of valuable habitat in the Onondaga Lake watershed. One of the projects includes extending the Erie Canalway Trail from Camillus to the western shoreline and would continue the extension of the Onondaga Lake Loop the Lake Trail.

Left: Wetlands along Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline have been restored. In 2015, Onondaga County opened the Lakeview Amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue located on the shore of Onondaga Lake.
Right: A Great Blue Heron catches a fish in the restored Geddes Brook wetlands.

Habitat restoration, a major focus of the cleanup, continues in 2017. On the shores of Onondaga Lake and along the lake’s tributaries, Honeywell is improving 87 acres of wetlands and planting about 1.1 million native plants, shrubs, and trees. To date, 74 acres of wetlands have been created or enhanced and nearly 600,000 native plants, trees, and shrubs now provide diverse habitat for more than 230 wildlife species.

Watch a video about the impact of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Honeywell has completed the dredging and capping of Onondaga Lake. The result of more than two decades and millions of hours of intensive effort, the project was completed through an unwavering focus on sound science, technical excellence, community engagement, sustainable practices, and a commitment to health and safety. Habitat restoration, a major focus of the cleanup, continues in 2017, as does Honeywell’s commitment to encouraging community volunteers to become environmental stewards.

Watch a video about the impact of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

“Onondaga Lake is becoming a source of pride and optimism for the community and an economic driver for the region thanks to the extraordinary efforts of state and federal regulators, Honeywell, Onondaga County, elected officials, educational institutions, and the community,” said Kate Adams, Honeywell Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “We are incredibly proud of the team that accomplished this successful project and grateful to the community for its support and engagement.”

Working under the supervision of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Honeywell worked with national and local experts, including the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Syracuse University and Upstate Freshwater Institute. About 500 Central New York workers have been an integral part of the cleanup, providing expertise, essential resources, dedication, and hard work.

“The completion of this project to revitalize Onondaga Lake marks a major milestone for Central New York that will improve the quality of life for residents, and opens up additional opportunities for tourism, outdoor recreation, and economic development for the entire region,” New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. “This work will help ensure that the lake remains a clean, viable natural resource for generations to come.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Onondaga Lake and its shores are undergoing major revitalization, helping return the lake to its former glory. A former source of shame, the lake is coming back as a source of pride for the community. Water quality is improving, aquatic populations are rebounding, and people are experiencing the lake in ways that haven’t been possible in generations. In the past, Onondaga Lake was often called the most polluted lake in the nation, but today, it is the most resilient.”

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, “This is a moment to celebrate Onondaga Lake and all of those committed to its restoration. Together, Governor Cuomo, the state Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honeywell and Onondaga County are helping restore Onondaga Lake and its shores for the benefit of generations to come.”

In November 2015, Honeywell received Audubon New York’s Thomas W. Keesee, Jr. Conservation Award for its leadership in the cleanup, “one of the most ambitious environmental reclamation projects in the United States.”

Substantial Progress Achieved, Best Water Quality in More Than 100 Years

• Lake dredging was finished in November 2014, a year ahead of schedule.
• More than 3 million cubic yards of material consisting primarily of sand, activated carbon, and stone was used to cap 475 acres of the lake bottom, providing a new habitat layer.
• To date, 74 acres of wetlands have been created or enhanced and nearly 600,000 native plants, trees, and shrubs now provide diverse habitat for more than 230 wildlife species.
• Geddes Brook, LCP wetlands, and Nine Mile Creek are remediated and restored, creating a green corridor from the lake to upland areas.
• According to the New York State Department of Health, water quality in the northern two-thirds of Onondaga Lake has achieved public health criteria for swimming.
• DEC has documented 65 species of fish, up from nine to 12 counted in the 1970s.
• The aquatic plant community has expanded from less than 12 percent of shallow-water lake areas to about 80 percent, according to SUNY-ESF.
• Upstate Freshwater Institute has confirmed that methylmercury (the form of mercury that accumulates in fish and organisms) in deep-water portions has decreased 98 percent since 2009.
• EPA, in its five-year report on Onondaga Lake, states that the cleanup is progressing as expected:
  • Concentrations of dissolved mercury are significantly lower in surface water samples.
  • Levels of methylmercury have declined dramatically in both lake water and zooplankton. The decline is expected to contribute to lower mercury concentrations in fish.
  • Natural recovery in the lake is progressing faster than predicted.

The cleanup, together with upgrades made by Onondaga County to its wastewater treatment plant and the county’s Save the Rain program, has resulted in the best water quality in more than 100 years.

Community’s Vision and Dialogue Key to Sustainable Outcomes

The Central New York community has played a key role in the efforts to clean up Onondaga Lake.

• More than 1,200 community meetings, presentations, and tours have been held since 2004.
• The Onondaga Lake Community Participation Working Group has met to foster community input and provide ways for the public to receive information.
• Designed and built by Honeywell, the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center has hosted more than 14,000 people, providing the public with access to the significant work taking place.
• More than 650 community members have joined the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, which was founded in 2012 and seeks to inspire environmental stewardship through a hands-on, experience-based program. Citizens and organizations have the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain Onondaga Lake and its value as an Important Bird Area.
• In 2015, a symbolic lake swim drew hundreds of community members.
• Thousands of people attended the inaugural Onondaga Cup and Lakefest in July 2016, including Governor Cuomo.

View a fact sheet about the end of dredging and capping.

Watch videos and view photographs of the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

Read news about the Onondaga Lake cleanup.

Individuals interested in more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup can contact Honeywell at 315-552-9784 or visit www.lakecleanup.com.

Click here to download the Dredging and Capping Completed Fact Sheet (717 KB)

Audubon New York awarded Honeywell the 2015 Thomas W. Keesee Jr. Conservation Award for its leadership on the cleanup and restoration of Onondaga Lake. Kate Adams, Honeywell Senior Vice President and General Counsel, accepted the award at Audubon New York’s fall benefit in New York City on November 4. Presented annually, the award honors those in New York State who have shown remarkable leadership and commitment “to Audubon’s mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”

“Honeywell made a corporate commitment to the ecosystem of Central New York with the restoration of Onondaga Lake, a vital natural resource and Audubon Important Bird Area. Thanks to ongoing restoration, and with the completion of dredging a year early, birds and other wildlife are once again thriving along its shores and watershed,” said Audubon New York Executive Director Erin Crotty, shown above (left) presenting the Thomas W. Keesee Jr. Conservation Award to Honeywell Senior Vice President and General Counsel Kate Adams.

Left (left to right): Audubon New York Board Chair Virginia (Gini) Stowe, Honeywell Syracuse Program Director John McAuliffe, Crotty, and Adams.

Right: A great blue heron looks for food in the restored Geddes Brook wetland.

 

To view a video about the Keesee Award and the cleanup, click here.

Audubon New York honored Honeywell as “a leader in one of the most ambitious environmental reclamation projects in the United States,” and for its work with partners, including Audubon, “to return Onondaga Lake to the community as a healthy, sustainable asset for future generations.”

During the awards ceremony, Adams said, “In Syracuse, we found the talent, creativity, and passion that makes Central New York such a unique and special place.”

Honeywell partners including Anchor QEA, de maximis, Infrastructure Alternatives, OBG, Parsons, Sevenson Environmental Services, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Syracuse University, and Upstate Freshwater Institute were recognized.

Anchor QEA Partner and Principal Engineer Kevin Russell, OBG CEO Jim Fox, Parsons Program Manager Paul Blue, former SUNY-ESF President Cornelius (Neil) B. Murphy Jr., and SUNY-ESF Professors Neil Ringler, Ph.D., and Donald Leopold, Ph.D., are pictured above with other members of the Onondaga Lake cleanup team.

 

Former New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens (pictured above left), National Audubon Society President and CEO David Yarnold, (pictured above on far right), and several Audubon New York board members attended the event.

“What do we do when we follow birds to our work, what do we end up with? Clean water, less pollution, healthy ecosystems, and a greater quality of life,” said Yarnold. “Where birds thrive, people prosper.”

 

“Honeywell is honored to accept the Thomas W. Keesee Jr. Conservation Award from one of the nation’s leading conservation organizations on behalf of our partners and all of Central New York,” said Adams. “The rebirth of Onondaga Lake, one of Central New York’s most valuable resources, is driven by the vision and spirit of the community and an incredible team of scientists, engineers, individuals, and conservation groups, including Audubon. Water quality is the best it has been in 100 years, and there is a renewed community enthusiasm to use and enjoy the lake.”

The Onondaga Lake cleanup is the result of more than two decades and millions of hours of intensive effort under the supervision of state and federal regulatory agencies, and in cooperation with local elected officials and the community. In November 2014, Honeywell completed lake dredging, a year ahead of schedule. Capping and habitat restoration are scheduled to be finished in 2016.

Left: Honeywell completed the restoration of the Geddes Brook wetlands in 2012; 50,000 native trees, plants, and shrubs were planted in 17 acres.

Right: Bald Eagles annually congregate at Onondaga Lake’s southern lakeshore during winter months. Photograph by Greg Craybas.

 

Honeywell is planting about 1.1 million plants, shrubs, and trees. To date, 50 acres of wetlands have been restored and more than 166 species of birds, fish, and other wildlife have returned to restored habitat near the lake. More than 80 unique bird species have been identified in and around Onondaga Lake, which is classified as an Audubon Important Bird Area (IBA), including several rare species categorized as threatened or of special interest in New York State. Pied-Billed Grebe, Northern Harrier, and Bald Eagle are among the notable bird species that have returned.

Montezuma Audubon Center, Onondaga Audubon Society, and Honeywell have worked in partnership since 2007 when Montezuma Audubon Center provided feedback for the restoration of LCP wetlands, and joined the Habitat Working Group. The partnership continued when they jointly adopted Onondaga Lake as an IBA in 2008, which marked the first time a company in New York State co-adopted an IBA with an Audubon organization.

Following the adoption of the IBA, the three organizations announced the development of the Honeywell Institute for Ecosystems Education, a professional development program for Onondaga County middle school science teachers. The program evolved into the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps, which was founded in 2012.

The Corps inspires future stewards of Onondaga Lake and its watershed through a hands-on, experience-based program that offers citizens and organizations the opportunity to participate in activities that help restore and sustain the Onondaga Lake watershed and its value as an IBA.

More than 600 volunteers have become environmental stewards who have planted thousands of trees, shrubs, and native plants, and participated in citizen science monitoring. In April 2015, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized the Corps with its 2015 Environmental Champion Award. To learn more about the Onondaga Lake Conservation Corps or to participate in future activities, please contact montezuma@audubon.org or call 315-365-3588. Schools, community groups, local organizations, and individuals are welcome. Like the Corps on Facebook or visit YouTube to learn more.

For more information on the Onondaga Lake cleanup, please visit www.lakecleanup.com.