by Jason Klaiber
Members of the DeWitt Advisory Conservation Commission (DACC) presented a Critical Environmental Area report compiled on the Onondaga Escarpment to the DeWitt Town Board at its Sept. 14 meeting.
Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko and Sam Gordon, the comprehensive planning committee chair, had assigned to DACC the task of identifying Critical Environmental Areas within the town a few years ago.
DACC chair Dennis Payne said these areas are defined as specific geographic sectors containing sensitive or unique features that require protection. These features include archaeological significance, wildlife habitats, certain benefits to human health or sensitivity hydrology-wise.
In accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and DACC’s report justifying the designation of portions of the Onondaga Escarpment as such an area, local and state-level agencies would be required to reflect on the potential environmental impacts of any project, plan or policy pertaining to the area before approving further action.
DACC member Brian Solomon, the author of the report, said the area has been impacted by projects as well as preservation efforts in the past. Namely, construction for I-481 buried a historic Boy Scout camp near Rams Gulch, a valley located northwest of Jamesville.
Solomon said a local quarry abandoned years ago has become an informal but popular spot for recreation in the community.
“These areas have historically seen impacts, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t see impacts in the future, so this is a way to sort of formally protect and push back against further development,” Solomon said.
The report was called a “comprehensive document” by Michalenko, one he said the town board intends to review before providing extensive feedback, making proper modifications and holding a related public hearing.
Additional Notes
The town board also discussed the idea of tweaking the way it conducts monthly yard and garden debris pick-up.
Rocco Conte, the town’s highway superintendent, said his department has been short-staffed when it comes to picking up pieces of trees, brush and leaves left near the curb by homeowners and contractors.
On top of that, Michalenko said local hotels, restaurants and other commercial businesses—which constitute a significant percentage of the town’s tax base—have been hurting financially, making budget cutbacks a foreseeable recourse.
Michalenko said the pick-up program, which runs from April through October, costs the town $350,000 a year.
“We can’t go on doing business as usual,” Michalenko said. “Sooner or later, we’re going to have to come up with a viable plan to make some major cuts.”
He said the town can either make the program exclusive to residents that sign up and pay for it or institute punitive measures, such as fines, for those that abuse the service by blocking sewer vents with debris or mixing yard waste with trash and recyclables.
