A proposed treatment would target hemlock woolly adelgid in a 35-acre area along Turtle Pond Trail at Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area in Savannah.
The Nature Conservancy has applied for a freshwater wetlands permit, and DEC is accepting written comments through Oct. 22, according to an Oct. 7 completed-application notice.
Although the notice's title lists Conquest, its project description places the treatment area in the Wayne County town of Savannah. The facility listing covers multiple tax parcels across several towns; the proposal is not described as treatment throughout the entire wildlife management area.
Treatment near two regulated wetlands
The proposal limits treatment to basal applications of Safari 20SG and Imidacloprid 2F on infested trees and trees adjacent to them.
All work would take place in the adjacent areas of two state-regulated wetlands. Access and treatment would be completed on foot to reduce disturbance.
The application description anticipates no adverse impacts to the regulated wetlands. That expectation is part of the proposed project, not a report of completed treatment.
DEC led a coordinated environmental review and determined the unlisted action would not have a significant environmental impact. A negative declaration is on file, but the completed-application notice does not announce a final wetlands permit.
Written comments due Oct. 22
The notice says cultural resource maps and lists were checked, with no identified archaeological sensitivity or known registered, eligible or inventoried historic resources at the project location. It also says the proposal is outside a coastal management area and is not subject to DEC's environmental justice permitting policy.
Application documents are available for inspection during normal business hours through DEC's contact; an appointment is recommended. The application number is 0-9999-00237/00023.
Written comments must reach Danielle Meyers at DEC Region 8, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon, NY 14414, by Oct. 22. The office can be reached at 585-226-2466.
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