Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week that 86 water quality protection projects across New York State will receive $110 million in grants. Among the recipients are two local projects aimed at protecting water quality in the region.
The Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District will receive $610,000 for a road ditch stabilization project in the towns of Bristol and Canadice. The project aims to reduce roadside erosion and slow storm water flow, thus reducing the amount of nutrients and contaminants that could enter the Rochester drinking water supply and Mill Creek in the Genesee River watershed.
The town of Seneca Falls will receive $30,000 to fund a stream culvert repair or replacement engineering report. The report will address a failing stream culvert under West Bayard Street between Ovid and Bridge streets. The culvert is currently clogged with debris and partially collapsed, hindering the flow of water from Sampson Creek into the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. If the underground culvert is repaired or replaced, it will help reduce erosion in the Cayuga Lake watershed.
This grant is expected to provide significant relief to the town and state, who have been at odds over who is responsible for repairs or replacement of the culvert. With this grant, the town of Seneca Falls will be able to fund the engineering report, which will help determine the best course of action for the culvert’s repair or replacement.
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