Honeywell today began removing a major debris dam from a section of Nine Mile Creek to improve access to Onondaga Lake for area canoes and kayaks. The request for the cleanup came from the Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council.
The project will remove downed trees and stumps that are blocking the water way, as well as other debris such as tires, appliances and trash. The debris dam was blocking the natural flow of the stream and causing bank erosion. The segment of the stream that will be cleaned stretches for several hundred yards and is located in the hamlet of Amboy in the town of Camillus.
“Recreational water ways are an important part of life around Onondaga Lake,” said John McAuliffe. “Honeywell is pleased to facilitate the cleanup of Nine Mile Creek so that canoe and kayakers will be able to travel safely downstream to Onondaga Lake once again.”
“For more than ten years the debris cluttering the water trail has been a safety hazard for paddlers. Thanks to Honeywell’s cleanup efforts, there will be greater public access for recreational canoes and kayakers,” added Fred Miller, Executive Director of Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council. “The Council and its members appreciate Honeywell’s commitment to recreation in the area and its investment in this Nine Mile Creek cleanup project.”
New York State Department of Conservation (DEC) Region 7 Director Ken Lynch said his office has been working with the Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council to coordinate improvements to the water way. “The Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council saw the opportunity to restore a valuable recreational and environmental resource to the community. I am pleased they have a partner in Honeywell to make their mutual goals a reality.”
Honeywell is working closely with the DEC on the cleanup of former Allied Chemical operations near Onondaga Lake as well as on the cleanup plan for the lake itself. On April 1st, DEC announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concurs with DEC’s proposed plan for the lake. A public comment period on EPA’s concurrence is open until May 1st. The final plan will be selected by DEC and docu
mented in a Record of Decision to be released by July 1st.
For more information please visit our website at www.onondaga-lake-initiatives.com.