|
|
Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor
Mark M. Finkle, Chairman
John C. Callaghan, Executive Director
|
|
A Message From the Executive Director
Spring is about renewal, which takes on a special meaning this year as we continue to emerge from one of the most unusual and trying times in recent memory. This past year has brought challenges and changes to the HRBRRD team – as we worked to deliver on our important statutory mission, all while coping with the myriad of new procedures, protocols, and restrictions related to COVID-19.
This spring, we are focused on renewing our commitment to serving the communities, businesses, and residents who receive benefits from HRBRRD operations. Over the last 24 months, we sought to be better partners in our communities, communicating more frequently and effectively about new initiatives and efforts, and working with our partners to forge closer and more collaborative relationships. We’ve strived to provide better information and guidance on Great Sacandaga Lake permit system issues, and implemented a new, online payment platform that over 2,200 people utilized earlier this year to renew their permits.
Going forward, we plan to build on these initiatives by being even more responsive to the needs of our customers, even as we make smart and sometimes difficult choices to control costs, and to deliver our services more efficiently and responsibly.
|
|
 |
State Budget Includes $20 Million for Improvements at Conklingville Dam
At the very core of what the Regulating District does to provide flood protection and flow augmentation benefits in the Hudson River and Black River is the infrastructure which impounds “storage reservoirs” and allows the Regulating District to, well, regulate the flows in these rivers downstream of the reservoirs. Perhaps none is better known, and more contributory to that mission, than the Conklingville Dam. As many readers here are well aware, the dam, which forms Great Sacandaga Lake, was built by the State in 1930 to address flooding in the cities of Troy and Albany and other downstream communities along the Hudson River in Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Rensselaer and Albany Counties.
Owing to the presence of hydroelectric power at the location, the dam is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and its condition closely inspected and monitored by not only FERC, but our professional engineering staff. At 90 years old, this dam – like any other of its generation – is in need of capital work to ensure that it remains structurally sound and can continue to function as designed. Some of this work involving deficiencies in an ice sluice has already been addressed, with the work substantially completed in November 2017 and the projected completed entirely in May 2018. But this left other numerous, costly aspects of the dam’s rehabilitation still to be done, including foundation & concrete repair, abutments, outlet & tailrace repair, and valve replacement.
|
|
|
|
HRBRRD Crews Complete Safety Improvements at Conklingville Dam
Recently, crews from HRBRRD completed improvements at the “toe” of the Conklingville Dam required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC regulates dams in the United States where power generation occurs, such as the 100-foot-high Conklingville Dam which forms Great Sacandaga Lake. FERC routinely conducts “Part 12” safety inspections, and prescribes work the dam owner must complete to comply with modern dam safety standards and best practices. These “Part 12” improvements refer to Part 12 of the Title 18 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations – which covers “Safety of Water Power Projects and Public Works.”
The work recently completed involved clearing a 25-foot-wide area at the toe – or base – of the dam. Woody vegetation can cause seepage paths for water traveling through the ground, which in turn could lead to transportation of sediment and the weakening of the dam. Clearing the toe also allows for better monitoring and inspection, helping HRBRRD do its job keeping Conklingville Dam – and all other infrastructure under its jurisdiction – safe and functioning as designed.
|
|
|
|
New Access Permit System Unveiled for Renewal Season
Nearly 50% Permits Renewed Online
|
|
“Nice work”
“did mine today! Easy peezy!”
“Saaaaweeetttt! Thank you”
“Wow…so easy and $10 less to pay online! This is great!”
“….super easy”
New Online Options Coming Soon!
We are working to expand the online permit system to include other account maintenance, payment and application options….
Stay Tuned!!
|
|
The reviews are in, and the debut of the Regulating District’s new Online Access Permit System appears to be as convenient as we had hoped. The response, with more than 2,200 online renewals in the 10 weeks we rolled out the new system, has been beyond our expectations.
We have been working for some time on a safe, reliable option for permit holders wanting to renew and pay for their permit remotely, and, like most things in the past year, COVID protocols and social distancing only expedited this need. Since mailing in and certainly, hand delivering to our office, renewals seemed less and less convenient to many permittees, our team worked diligently, not only to get the system online in time for renewals to begin in January, but to walk anyone through any kinks in the system. And to be honest, as with any new system, there were a few initial tweaks that were quickly brought to our attention and we were able to immediately address.
With our Online System link available on our website, along with corresponding Frequently Asked Questions, and current GSL Access Permit Rates to provide guidance, residents seemed to be quite successful in navigating the new system. BRAVO to our permit holders and our staff continuing to adjust to meet the needs of our changing times. |
|
Meet Our New Board Members
We were fortunate to have two new members appointed to our Board of Directors last month; both of whom represent the Black River Area of the Regulating District. We are honored to be the beneficiaries of the expertise of each of these gentlemen, and welcome both to the HRBRRD team! All Board Member and Senior Staff biographies are on our website.
|
|
|
Alfred J. Candido, Jr.
Al Candido joined the Board of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District earlier this month. He is the former Chief of Staff to the Oneida County Executive, where he had direct oversight and supervision of 24 departments for 13 years.
Before taking a leadership role in county government, Mr. Candido had 34 years of distinguished service as a Utica police officer, rising up through the ranks from Patrolman to Captain at his retirement. Throughout his career he held a variety of assignments as the CO in the Police Academy, the Tactical Unit, Community Policing, the Services Division and Patrol Division.
He served as an adjunct criminal justice instructor at Utica College and Mohawk Valley Community College, and was a consultant to the New York State Office of Mental Health for police mental health instructor training.
Mr. Candido resides in Forestport, NY and currently serves as President of the Kayuta Lake Improvement Association.
|
|
|
|
Timothy J. Reagan
Tim Reagan resides in Glenfield and has strong roots in the Black River Area Community, yet he is uniquely poised to understand the needs of the Hudson River Area as well, since he also maintains a home on Great Sacandaga Lake.
Mr. Reagan comes to the Regulating District with an extensive career as an operations leader working for global food companies focusing on quality, safety, productivity and cost improvement. He previously served as a consultant for Kraft Heinz/Upstate Niagara Dairy Cooperative, and is the Past Operations Vice President of ConAgra, Past Vice President of Manufacturing of Dannon, and held several leadership positions at Kraft Foods.
Mr. Reagan has served on several Boards of Directors including: the Lewis County Industrial Development Agency; the Development Authority of the North Country, Lewis County Agricultural Society, and the Lewis County Hospital Board, the Beaverite Corporation and the NYS Cheese Manufacturers Association.
|
|
|
|
DID YOU KNOW???
you can see current & target elevations, release & elevation forecasts for HRBRRD reservoirs – including Great Sacandaga Lake – on our website?
This chart from our Chief Engineer’s most recent report to the Board of Directors shows elevation of the GSL, putting the reservoir on track to achieve the “full reservoir” target of just over 767 feet by the beginning of June, depending on conditions.
|
|
HRBRRD Staff Preps for Upcoming Season |
|
As winter, makes way for warmer temperatures and many have house and outdoor projects on their minds, staff at the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District have been undergoing spring cleaning of a different sort. Each spring, HRBRRD staff get started on necessary maintenance, projects and preparations that help make the transition to the busy summer season a safe and enjoyable one. Some of our spring prep includes:
Snow Surveys— To help determine likely runoff to its reservoirs in spring, work begins in January each year, when the Regulating Districts collects snow data at 36 different sites in Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Oneida, Saratoga and Warren counties. As demonstrated in the photo by Megan Cole, part of our Black River Area team, we collect snow data from January to April (or until the snowpack melts) measuring the amount of snow water equivalent, or how much water is held in the snowpack, to determine likely runoff in the spring and help inform our Engineering Department’s water regulation decisions. With a carefully-calculated schedule to drawdown its reservoirs over the winter months, the Regulating District prepares its reservoirs to capture and store this spring runoff, to fulfill its important flood protection mission and help protect downstream communities.
Boat & Equipment Repairs--- While the lake is still frozen in early spring, Foreman David J. Ioele and Maintenance Specialist Mike Chase are busy performing maintenance, bottom repairs and painting on our work skiff at the Sacandaga Field Office getting it ready for use as soon as conditions allow. Our maintenance staff is working hard in spring getting all of our equipment and facilities ready for the season.
Work Boat Clean Up— Staff carefully monitors the weather and lake conditions to determine the safest, earliest date to get our workboat out on the water to begin clean up from what nature offered during the past winter. Removing anything from miscellaneous debris to branches and large tree limbs are critical tasks that impact the safety of those on the water, as seen in some photos from last year. Our team is out on the workboat whenever safe and whenever possible getting this work done.
Buoy Day- Some time in the next few weeks, you will see HRBRRD staff out on the water, supporting the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in setting navigation aids on Great Sacandaga Lake, as in the 2020 photo here. A favorite day for many a GSL boater, the safety implications of this critical task are not to be overlooked.
We cannot forget all of the year-round, day-to-day work done in our offices and at our field sites by our capable and knowledgeable staff, to keep things running smoothly and safely. Have a question about our operations or a specific facility or project? Reach out to one of our offices for assistance.
|
|
|
|
Make This Boating Season
Safe & Successful
As proud partners in the GSL Safe Lake Initiative, we would like to offer some quick reminders as we all prepare for some much-needed warmth and fun this season.
|
|
|
|
WEAR IT
A great day out on the water means returning home safety to those you love.
It’s estimated 84% of all drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. The best life jacket is one that you wear.
Generously hosted by the Sean Craig Memorial Fund and Wally’s, the Life Jacket Loaner Station is located right at the entrance of their docks. Jackets are available in many shapes, sizes and even cartoon characters! #PleaseWearIt
|
|
BE A SAFE BOATER
Look for Life Rings- There are 25 ring buoys installed at 16 strategic points around the lake, including two at our Field Office in Mayfield. They are important beacons: reminders that safety should always be on our minds, and that they are there for use in the hope of preventing a tragedy.
Designate a Sober Captain- Don’t drink while you boat.
|
|
REMEMBER GOOD STEWARDSHIP
Be Courteous to Other Boaters- Follow all navigation rules, watch your wake.
Be Considerate of other Watercraft and people in the water—it’s important to remember the lake is not just for boaters and jet skis. There are people kayaking, fishing and swimming and everyone needs to be safe.
Carry in, Carry out- Leave only footprints.
It is incumbent upon each of us to take responsibility for the sustainability of the beautiful natural resources we share.
|
|
NEXT MEETING OF THE HRBRRD BOARD
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Please note that walk-in public access to the meeting remains limited due to continued COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Remote access to the meeting is available. Information and links are posted on our website.
|
|
We are here for you!
Reach us:
Please note, minutes and video recordings of our Board and Committee meetings are available on our website.
|
|
Hudson River Black River Regulating District
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
