3
2
W i l d l i f e
RETURNS
t o r e s t o r e d w e t l a n d s
N a t i v e p l a n t s
SUPPORT
u n d e r w a t e r g r o w t h
&
f i s h
s p a w n i n g
An isolation cap is being placed over shallow water portions of the lake bottom to seal in any remaining
contamination. The cap, which is primarily sand and stone, provides a new clean lake bottom and a
new habitat layer. During the summer months, liquid nitrate is being added to the deep water to inhibit
methylmercury production in lake water, which will help reduce levels of mercury in fish. Nearly 250,000
native plants plus fish structures, such as porcupine cribs, will help support underwater vegetation
growth and fish spawning. The isolation cap will cover 425 acres of the lake. Contaminants in the deep
water portions of the lake are being addressed by thin-layer capping, nitrate addition, and natural recovery.
More than 110 species of fish, birds, and mammals
have returned to restored wetlands and nearby areas in
the Onondaga Lake watershed, including mink, beaver,
wild turkey, bald eagles, northern pike, largemouth bass,
smallmouth bass, snapping turtles, pied-billed grebe,
great heron, osprey, brown trout, and sunfish. Honeywell
is improving wetlands and planting about 1.1 million plants,
shrubs, and trees to enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.
To date, 44 acres of wetlands have been restored at
Geddes Brook, Harbor Brook, Nine Mile Creek, and the
former LCP Chemicals site, and along Onondaga Lake's
western shoreline. More than 300,000 native plants have
been planted. The habitat restoration work along the
western shoreline is visible to community members walking
along the county's Onondaga Lake west shore trail extension.
Several recommendations by environmental
organizations that formed the Habitat Community
Working Group, a group that was created by Honeywell
and DEC, were incorporated into the
habitat plans. These recommendations
included bird nesting and foraging,
fish habitat for spawning and nurseries,
deep water fishing, fishing access,
and native species.
2
In 2014, Honeywell completed the dredging of Onondaga Lake under the supervision
of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, a year ahead of schedule. Dredging activities began
in July 2012. About 2.2 million cubic yards of material was removed from the bottom
of the lake using hydraulic dredges that reduced truck traffic, emissions, and noise.
The early completion of dredging is a result of focused execution of a carefully
designed project plan. Capping and habitat restoration are scheduled to be finished
in 2016. Restoration of Geddes Brook was completed in 2012 and Nine Mile Creek
in October 2014. The water is cleaner, wildlife is returning, and the community
is invested in the future use and stewardship of the lake and its watershed.
D r e d g i n g o f O n o n d a g a L a k e
COMPLETED
a y e a r a h e a d o f s c h e d u l e
The transformation
of this lake, the water
quality changes,
are nothing short
of amazing.
Charles Driscoll,
Ph. D., Distinguished
Professor of
Environmental
Systems Engineering,
Syracuse University
"
Completing dredging activities.
I'm hoping people will realize a
tremendous asset is being returned as
a result of the work Honeywell has done.
Joanne M. Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive
"
Eighty-five percent of
the labor for the project
came from Central New
York. This is a model
for other projects that
we have to do here
in Central New York.
William B. Magnarelli,
New York State
Assembly Member
"