Virtual Public Input Session June 22; 30-Day Public Comment Period Ends July 13

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Monroe County Department of Public Health are holding a virtual public input session on June 22 to solicit feedback on the removal of the ‘Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat’ Beneficial Use Impairment from the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern (AOC).

Located on the south shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River and including the lower section of the river to the lower falls, the Rochester Embayment was designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1987 due to environmental degradation. The Monroe County Department of Public Health has led the process to address 14 Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) and worked alongside DEC to improve water and sediment quality, fish and wildlife populations, and habitat. In recent years, multiple restoration projects identified as necessary to improve fish and wildlife habitat in the AOC have been completed. Through these projects, along with monitoring and assessment initiatives, conditions within the AOC have improved to the point where the Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat BUI designation can be removed. The BUI report is available for review on the Monroe County Department of Public Health website at https://www.monroecounty.gov/eh-watershed.

What:                          Virtual public input session – Rochester Embayment Area of Concern

When:                         Thursday, June 22, 2023

Time:                          12  – 1:30 p.m.

Register link:             https://meetny.webex.com/weblink/register/rb761eccde2c364ca59f365001f6ed9ba 

Webinar number:        161 073 2029

Webinar password:     welcome6.22.23 (93526636 from phones and video systems)

To join by telephone: Dial 1-518-549-0500 and enter access code 161 073 2029 followed by the # sign.

In addition to the virtual public meeting, there is a 30-day public comment period until July 13, 2023. Comments can be emailed to juliephilipp@monroecounty.gov with the subject “RAP.” All comments must include the person’s full name, email address, physical address, and town of residence. For more information on the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/92771.html.