Spring News from HRBRRD!

2022 Spring Newsletter

Kathy Hochul, Governor

Mark M. Finkle, Chairman

John C. Callaghan, Executive Director

Message From the

Executive Director

News on the NYS Budget, Important Infrastructure Projects on the Docket, GSL Permit Renewals, HRA's Centennial and more!

As I write this piece at the end of April, reservoirs under the Regulating District’s jurisdiction are full, having provided beneficial storage earlier in the year during an early thaw and significant precipitation. On Great Sacandaga Lake, low level “Dow” outlet valves were opened as downstream flows allowed to stabilize reservoir elevation. And we are preparing to assist NYS DEC with placement of navigational aids around the lake – a sure sign of spring and the upcoming boating season!

Good News in the State Budget

I reported some potentially very good news in our winter newsletter in the form of Governor Hochul’s proposed budget, which included an additional, $20 million in State funding for repairs and improvements at the Conklingville Dam. We are pleased to report that this funding was included in the State’s adopted budget, bringing New York State’s total commitment for the project to $40 million. We are working closely with our partners in State government to execute this important capital project, which will begin in 2023 at the earliest, to ensure the Conklingville Dam can continue to safely provide its important ecological, economic, recreational, health, and flood protection benefits for decades to come.

More Good News in the State Budget

The second piece of very welcome news in the final adopted budget is a key element of ensuring the Regulating District can continue to execute its important mission for future generations in a sustainable, fiscally-responsible way. As I indicated in our last edition, a shift of the Regulating District’s local property tax obligations to the State has long been the only proper, permanent way to address a fundamental change in the Regulating District’s funding model stemming from a loss in federal court in 2008. The practical impact of that loss was that the Regulating District could no longer pass the cost of property taxes it pays annually on taxable State land under its jurisdiction to downstream hydroelectric companies. Instead, as a result of the court decision, the Regulating District began passing these costs along to taxpayers in downstream counties. Thanks to language included in this year’s State budget and now enacted as law, local municipalities and school districts are made whole, while the corresponding decrease in the Regulating District’s expenses mean that its costs apportioned across multiple beneficiaries, including downstream counties in the Hudson River Area, will also decrease. Pursuant to an agreement signed by the Regulating District and these counties in 2013, these counties will begin to see this fiscal relief as early as 2024.

HRBRRD Operations Provide Critical Flood Protection

During April Event

The combination of an early start to meteorological spring, associated snow melt and a heavy rain event in early April meant that storage provided by HRBRRD reservoirs played a critical role in reducing downstream impacts related to flooding leading up to, and during, the second weekend of the month. Elevations at storage reservoirs under our jurisdiction, including the Great Sacandaga Lake, remain higher than target levels as a result, but are predicted to continue to approach normal levels over the coming weeks.

These higher elevations prompted some inquiries to HRBRRD about why we cut back on releases out of reservoirs like Great Sacandaga Lake, rather than increasing them, when the reservoir levels are rising quickly. On the Great Sacandaga Lake, that’s just what the Conklingville Dam, built by the State in 1930, was designed to do. The dam’s construction formed a “storage reservoir” on the Sacandaga River to store a large volume of water, rather than releasing it directly downstream into the Hudson River, during periods of high flow. This reduces flooding-related impacts downstream in counties which are assessed for flood protection benefits derived from operation of the Regulating District’s two storage reservoirs in the Hudson River Area: the Great Sacandaga Lake and Indian Lake. As downstream flows abate, the releases of water from the reservoir increases, with outflow eventually exceeding inflow. When that happens, the elevation of the reservoir stabilizes, and begins to reduce.

The operation of reservoirs like Great Sacandaga Lake also provide vitally important recreational and economic benefits to residents and businesses around them, in addition to providing the primary functions of flood protection and flow augmentation. By moving forward with important capital improvement projects like the one projected to begin at Conklingville Dam in 2023, HRBRRD can ensure that this critical infrastructure can continue to provide these benefits for future generations.

Hawkinsville Dam Rehabiliation Project

The Regulating District is excited to be moving ahead with the long-anticipated rehabilitation of our Hawkinsville Dam in the hamlet of Hawkinsville, Town of Boonville, Oneida County. Our Chief Engineer Robert Foltan recently led potential bidders for the project on a site visit. The Regulating District anticipates, following an award to the successful bidder, construction will begin this summer and be substantially complete by the end of 2022.

Advisory Council Seeks Funding Requests

The Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council (GSLAC) was established in 2000 through the federal re-licensing process of the Conklingville Dam and the Great Sacandaga Lake. Comprised of membership from the marina/ business community, Saratoga County, Fulton County, the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation, NYS DEC, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the APA, the Regulating District, the environmental community, and Brookfield Renewable – the GSLAC administers a fund to be used primarily for projects, studies or services for ecosystem restoration or protection, fish stocking, natural resource stewardship and new recreation resources.

This fund is known as the Great Sacandaga Lake Enhancement Fund and monies distributed by the fund are allocated by majority vote of the GSLAC to be used upstream of the Conklingville Dam. Since its creation in 2000 through an “offer of settlement” among 29 entities involved in the FERC re-licensing process, this fund has been, and continues to be, financially supported by Brookfield Renewable as a condition of the license for the hydroelectric plant at the Conklingville Dam.

Throughout its existence, the GSLAC has provided critically important funding to worthwhile projects on and around the Great Sacandaga Lake such as fish stocking efforts, educational initiatives, safety enhancements, and public safety improvements, just to name a few. Additionally, a documentary on the construction of the Great Sacandaga Lake – Harnessing Nature – was produced by the GSLAC using seed funding from the Enhancement Fund which have since been replenished from DVD sales. (Click here to view the movie.)

The GSLAC is now accepting funding requests for 2022 and 2023 projects from qualified applicants such as schools, community groups, non-profit organizations, and other entities engaged in eligible work consistent with GSLAC’s mission. To request funding for a project or initiative, or to request more information, kindly email GSLAC Chair Bob Campbell at bcampbell@edinburgmarina.com.

Thank You for Renewing Your 2022-2023 GSL Access Permits

As of the writing of this report, a total of 2,698 permit holders had used the online system to renew in 2022, representing more than 56% of all renewals to date in 2022. According to the poll we included in our last newsletter, more than 83% of respondents said they found the online permit system easy and convenient to use. Another 4% said they would use the online system if they had more information about it and still another 4% indicated they wished the system were easier to use. We hear you.

We have been very pleased to offer this additional option for renewal, and happy with the growing response, but we are continuing our improvement efforts. This year we fine-tuned our user troubleshooting options by creating a new technical support point for those having difficulty with login or other website issues. We will continue to expand our communication efforts to provide more specific user instruction, are working on developing a revised and improved access permit renewal form, and we are working on enhancing electronic processing of new permit applications.

What can you do before next renewal season begins in January? If you need to update or change any information on your access permit before the new year, ie: phone, email, mailing address, contact our Sacandaga Field Office as soon as possible. Some changes may require additional information and an additional fee (see Access Permit Change Form). Trying to log in and renew next year with outdated information may delay what could be a quick and easy renewal.

As noted in this year's permit renewal letter, any permit holder who renewed online this year, will automatically have their permit renewal information packet emailed to them each January to the email on file in their access permit information. Permit holders who renew by mail will continue to have their renewal packets mailed. Online renewal is always an option for any permit holder wishing to save time and the $10 administration fee.

RESULTS OF THE WINTER NEWSLETTER POLL

Launching the 2022 Boating Season!

Some may say it's reserved for the big man in the red suit, but we can't help but hear the refrain "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" repeating in our heads when we see the following sure-fire signs of our favorite season.

BUOY DAY!

Each year, Regulating District staff works with NYS DEC to place navigational aids, aka buoys, on the GSL. It's a busy and exciting day each year as it is vital to the safe operation of the lake, and a sure sign of the launch of boating season. Buoy Day 2022 is coming soon!

WORK BOAT!

As soon as the weather and elevations allow, HRBRRD staff get the work boat out in the lake to perform necessary debris clean up from winter. Throughout the season, you'll see staff out removing water hazards, as well as performing routine maintenance and erosion control measures.

SEASONAL EMPLOYEES!

We are fortunate each year to be able to employ additional staff to assist during our very busy summer season. This year again, we are hiring staff for our Sacandaga Field Office in Mayfield and at Stillwater Reservoir in the Black River Area. Deadline for applications is May 13, 2022. See application information on our website. (photo of last year's seasonal staff at Sacandaga Field Office)

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF....

I am experiencing or see an emergency on the water or elsewhere?

Call 911

I see a navigational buoy dislodged or its light out?

Buoys are set and maintained by NYS DEC Region 5 team. You should reach out directly to DEC Region 5, or call or email HRBRRD at sacfo@hrbrrd.ny.gov 518-661-5535 and we will notify them.

I have a noise or disturbance complaint?

Contact your local law enforcement agency.

I have questions about my permit area, water elevation, or what projects require a work permit?

Take a look at the Regulating District’s website and specifically the GSL link. If you have more questions contact the Sacandaga Field Office.