Genesee RiverWatchSpring Newsletter 2023
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Spring is upon us and Genesee RiverWatch’s 2023 work is well underway. We are improving water quality and wildlife habitat via streambank restoration and application of agricultural best management practices. We are creating opportunities to get on the Genesee with our paddling program and river access improvement projects. Our annual Genesee River Basin Summit this May brought together experts from around the region to develop plans to improve water quality. We couldn’t do any of this work without our superb volunteer Board of Directors and the help of our technical and financial supporters. Many thanks for YOUR support.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President of the Board
George Thomas, Executive Director
Annual Genesee River Basin Summit
Genesee RiverWatch presented its annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 10th, 2023 at RIT’s Student Development Center. The topic of this year’s summit was Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction. The objective was to solicit feedback on a Genesee RiverWatch proposal to improve water quality in the Genesee River Basin through sediment and phosphorus reduction. The Summit included a review of current basin-wide programs, an update on NYS State policy responses to emerging issues such as climate change, and a review of current sediment and phosphorus load reduction programs and activities. A summary and all presentations can be found in the Genesee River Basin Summit 2023 Wrap-Up .
Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Presentations at the Summit
The Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards were presented to Helen Dumas and Roy Wood at our annual Genesee River Basin Summit. Roy received the award in appreciation for his work with our Citizen Monitoring and Genesee River watershed wastewater treatment plant data. Helen is a Genesee Land Trust staff member and its Genesee River Alliance Coordinator. She was presented the Award in recognition of her work in helping to build the Genesee River Alliance into an effective organization to promote interest in the Genesee River within the City of Rochester.
Paddling the Genesee
2023 Plans
In planning for the 2023 paddling season and beyond, we continue to be guided by the idea that there is no substitute for experiencing the Genesee from water level. Paddle dates for 2023 are:
- Friday, June 23, 6:00 – 9:00 PM
- Sunday, July 9, 10:00AM – 1:00 PM
- Saturday, August 5, 10:00AM – 1:00PM
- Saturday, September 17, 10AM – 1:00PM
- Saturday, October 7, 3:00 – 6:00PM
More details to follow!
Streambank Restoration & Agricultural Best Management
Our work to improve water quality includes stabilizing and restoring streambanks and applying agricultural best management practices that reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to the river, and that slow the rate of erosion, preserving agricultural land and fertile topsoil. These projects also restore and improve wildlife habitat in and along the river by establishing wild plantings in the riparian zones.
2023 Projects
Babbitt’s Farm – Genesee River Streambank Restoration
The project will restore 850 feet of highly eroded streambank on Babbitt’s Farm north of Caneadea, NY. We will also install river training structures to prevent further erosion at the site and downstream, affecting 2,250 feet of riverbed. Site surveys and meetings with NYSDEC and the Army Corps of Engineers will begin in the spring of 2023 with construction planned for early fall 2023. This project is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Great Lakes Commission and a $50,000 in-kind match by the landowner, Babbitt’s Farm.
Oatka Creek – Tributary to Genesee River Streambank Restoration
New York Sea Grant has awarded Genesee RiverWatch a $48,400 grant to restore eroded streambanks and/or prevent erosion on Oatka Creek using bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat. A design charrette was held on November 1st at the Genesee Country Village and Museum. The charrette provided some very practical design ideas to incorporate in our ultimate proposal. Its success was attributable to the willingness of the 17 participants to embrace the concepts of design that maximize the use of on-site materials and minimize the use of materials and equipment from off-site and the fact that this is a demonstration project. Designs for three segments of the creek are being developed for regulatory review in the second quarter 2023. It is expected that the results of this demonstration project will lead to the application of the techniques developed on other stream segments in the Genesee River watershed.
Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMPs) in Livingston County
This project was initiated in 2021 to define and implement Ag BMP’s to reduce nutrient loads from agricultural lands in the Jaycox Creek Watershed in Livingston County. This partnership with Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District resulted in the identification and implementation of four projects by mid-2022. At that time, we had $25,000 remaining in the grant budget. Originally these funds were planned to compensate Livingston County S&WCD for their work on the project. However, Robert Stryker, Director, asked to apply this money to another project that will improve drainage on the Bailey Farm. Late last year the grantor approved the change. Construction of this last project will be complete in August after the winter wheat is harvested.
Quick Notes:
Genesee RiverWatch Welcomes New Board Members
We are pleased to welcome the following to our Board of Directors:
- Norm Jones previously worked for the City of Rochester for more than 30 years in a variety of positions with increasing responsibility. Norm recently retired as the City’s Commissioner of Environmental Services.
- Paul McFadden is the City of Rochester’s Manager of Workforce Development. His position includes managing the REJob Environmental Construction Training Program which has placed 122 disadvantaged city residents in environmental construction careers.
- Steven Schiano works for his family business, S.E. Schiano Logging, primarily within the Genesee River watershed. Their projects include timber harvesting, streambank stabilization, invasive species removal, access improvements, and planting and maintaining 10,000+/- bare-rootstock seedlings every year.
Learn more about our Board Members.
Orvis Rochester Giveback Days in May
During the month of May, Orvis Rochester rewarded customers who made a $10 donation to Genesee RiverWatch with a discount good for 10% off an in-store purchase. We are very grateful to Orvis for this opportunity! Learn more
Genesee River Blueway Map
The Genesee River Blueway Map is your guide to paddling the Genesee from its headwaters in Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. It shows safe access sites and provides the river mileage between these points. The map is available as a tri-fold brochure at many of the access sites and is downloadable from our website. Also on the website is an interactive map that will allow you to custom plan your route and print a more detailed map specific to your plan. The map is being updated in Spring, 2023.
Canoe/Kayak Access Projects
Genesee RiverWatch is continuing to work with our partners to improve access to the river for fishing and car-top boaters. We have begun work with our partners at Geneseo River Access Park and Avon/Rt. 20 to improve boating access sites in Avon and Geneseo. Design work and site surveys have been initiated. We expect to have the work complete before the end of the boating season.
Donor Support Helps Us Do Our Work
Genesee RiverWatch relies heavily on community support to continue its work of improving water quality and connecting people to the river. We are very appreciative of Our Supporters.
Genesee River Basin Summit 2023 Wrap-Up
Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Genesee RiverWatch presented its annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 10th, 2023 at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The topic of this year’s summit was Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Summit Objective: The objective of the day-long summit was to solicit feedback on a Genesee RiverWatch proposal to improve water quality in the Genesee River Basin through sediment and phosphorus reduction. The Summit started with a review of current basin-wide programs, an update on NYS State policy responses to emerging issues such as climate change, and a review current sediment and phosphorus load reduction programs and activities.
As a result of the discussions at the Summit, Genesee RiverWatch will help develop a Steering Committee to address sediment and nutrient reduction in the Genesee Basin. As part of that work, we also plan to embark on an effort to educate elected officials on the need and benefit of sediment and nutrient reduction and look for ways to increase our outreach to stakeholders and the general public.
Summit presentations are linked within the agenda below.
Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Presentation at the Summit
The Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards were presented to Helen Dumas and Roy Wood. Roy received the award in appreciation for his work with our Citizen Monitoring and Genesee River watershed wastewater treatment plant data. Helen is a Genesee Land Trust staff member and its Genesee River Alliance Coordinator. She was presented the Award in recognition of her work in helping to build the Genesee River Alliance into an effective organization to promote interest in the Genesee River within the City of Rochester.
Agenda and Presentations
| Time | Topic | Presentation | Presenter |
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Sign-In | Continental Breakfast | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 8:30 to 8:45 (15 min) | Welcome & Overview | Welcome & Overview | 1. Board Member – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 8:45 to 10:15 (90 min) | How focus on the Basin got started | 1a. Great Lakes Action Agenda – Development and plans moving forward, relation to Nine Element Plan 1b. Finger Lakes Watershed Hub 2. 2013 Basin Study – Water quality data, sources, and conclusions/recommendations 3. Formation of Genesee RiverWatch – How it started | 1. Shannon Dougherty and Tony Prestigiacomo- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 2. Amanda Matkosky – Genesee RiverWatch 3. Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | BREAK | Coffee Refresh | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 10:45 to 12:15 (90 min) | Emerging Issues | 1. NYS Environmental Bond Act – Water Quality Improvement & Resilient Infrastructure 2. Climate Action – NYS Climate Action Plan | 1. James Tierney – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Deputy Commissioner, Water Resources 2. Brian Steinmuller – NYS Agriculture and Markets |
| 12:15 to 12:45 | LUNCH | Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 12:45 to 1:15 | Awards | Presentation to 2022 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Winners | |
| 1:15 to 2:45 (90 min) | Sediment and Phosphorus Load Reduction | 1. Farmland Soil Erosion – Best Management Practices 2. Dairy Industry – Sustainable Practices 3. Wastewater Treatment Plants – Overview 4. Streambank Erosion – Project examples | 1. Bob Stryker – Livingston County S&WCD 2. Brad Schwab – Agricultural Consulting Services 3. Pete Lent – Genesee RiverWatch 4. Scott Fonte – Agricultural Engineering Services |
| 2:45 to 3:00 | Break | Cookies & Beverage Provided | Visit Exhibits |
| 3:00 to 4:30 (90 min) | What needs to be done | 1. Proposal to measurably reduce the impact of erosion, agricultural operations, wastewater treatment plants, and dairy operations on sediment and phosphorus loads to the River, stream monitoring, carbon neutrality, and adaptive management 2. Panel Discussion – Q&A, comments, suggestions | 1. George Thomas and Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch 2. Panel – Speakers and Invited Guests |
| 4:30-4:45 | Wrap-up | Next Steps | Genesee RiverWatch |
Thank you for Supporting Genesee RiverWatch through Orvis’ May 2023 “Great GiveBack Days”
As you know, once again the Orvis Company generously included Genesee RiverWatch in their spring “Great Giveback Days” program. We were happy to receive this year’s check of almost $2,000 from those who donated $10.00 at the Orvis store in Pittsford. Each and every donation to Genesee RiverWatch helps to further our mission of working to improve the water quality of the Genesee River and its tributaries to create environmental, recreational, and economic assets for its communities. We also connect people to the river, encouraging them to explore, experience, and celebrate the Genesee River.
Again, many thanks from the team at Genesee RiverWatch! We appreciate your continued support!
Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Recipients
Genesee RiverWatch is pleased to announce its 2022 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award recipients – Roy Wood and Helen Dumas. The awards are given to individuals, organizations, projects or events in recognition of significant contributions to our mission of “championing solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the River”. Nominations were solicited in in the fall of 2022 for review and selection by the Board of Directors of Genesee RiverWatch. The awards are given in honor of Elizabeth Thorndike, longtime supporter of Genesee RiverWatch and one of the founders of its predecessor organization, the Center for Environmental Information.
Award winners have demonstrated success in (1) improving the water quality of the Genesee River Basin; (2) creating environmental, recreational, and economic assets for their communities; and/or (3) connecting people to the river by encouraging them to explore, experience, and celebrate the river.
A separate category of the awards recognizes volunteers whose work on behalf of Genesee RiverWatch has significantly aided us in furthering our Mission.
Roy Wood
L to R: C. Michael Haugh-President, Board of Directors; Roy Wood-Award Recipient; George Thomas-Executive Director
The Award presented to Roy Wood represents our appreciation for Roy’s work with our Citizen Monitoring and Genesee River watershed wastewater treatment plant data. His analysis was instrumental to our efforts to develop a proposal to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for reducing phosphorus discharges from wastewater treatment plants. That proposal is under active discussion with DEC, which represents a great first step to reduce the water quality impact of these plants.
Helen Dumas
Our second recipient, Helen Dumas, is a Genesee Land Trust staff member and its Genesee River Alliance Coordinator. She was presented with this Award in recognition of her work in helping to build the Genesee River Alliance into an effective organization to promote interest in the Genesee River within the City of Rochester. As Coordinator, Helen brought together a diverse group of people and organizations, most of which were already working on River projects, resulting in a collaboration to strengthen existing efforts and fill planning gaps, while also raising awareness of each other’s efforts. “Helen’s leadership in this work is changing the narrative around the Genesee River from a polluted and divided place to an asset with significant opportunity to bring together all facets of our community to enjoy and protect into the future.”
Support Genesee RiverWatch through Orvis’ May 2023 “Great GiveBack Days”
Once again, the Orvis Company has generously included Genesee RiverWatch in their spring “Great Giveback Days” program. You will recall that this very successful program last year resulted in a $4,155 contribution to our work on the Genesee.
During the month of May, if you make a $10.00 donation to Genesee RiverWatch at the Orvis store in Pittsford, Orvis will give you a discount card good for 10% off your entire purchase of full price items. If what you want is not in stock, catalog orders placed through the store, in person or by phone, will also count in this program.
Sounds too simple to be true but the program is no more complicated than that!
For those who have not yet shopped at Orvis, you will find their store at 3349 Monroe Avenue on the east side of the Pittsford Plaza Shopping Center. Inside, you will find a wide variety of very high-quality men’s and women’s outdoor clothing.
If you are a fly fisherman or dog lover, you are probably already aware of Orvis and its exceptional products in both areas. Do yourself (or perhaps a loved one) a favor and visit Orvis in May. Your $10.00 donation will support the Genesee RiverWatch Mission and open the door to substantial savings for you.
Many thanks from the team at Genesee RiverWatch!
Board Member Discusses Sustainable Farming Practices on Earth Day
Genesee RiverWatch Board Member, John Nobles, discussed sustainable farming practices with the American Dairy Association on the occasion of Earth Day. The American Dairy Association North East is a valued supporter of Genesee RiverWatch.
Genesee River Basin Summit 2023
Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Genesee RiverWatch is presenting its annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 10th, 2023. The topic of this year’s summit is Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Student Development Center
Pre-Registration is required: There is no fee to attend. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Summit Objective: The objective of this day-long summit is to solicit feedback on a Genesee RiverWatch proposal to improve water quality in the Genesee River Basin through sediment and phosphorus reduction. The Summit will start with a review of current basin-wide programs, hear an update on NYS State policy responses to emerging issues such as climate change, and review current sediment and phosphorus load reduction programs and activities.
| Time | Topic | Presentation | Presenter |
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Sign-In | Continental Breakfast | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 8:30 to 8:45 (15 min) | Welcome & Overview | Welcome & Overview | 1. Board Member – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 8:45 to 10:15 (90 min) | How focus on the Basin got started | 1. Great Lakes Action Agenda – Development and plans moving forward, relation to Nine Element Plan 2. 2013 Basin Study – Water quality data, sources, and conclusions/recommendations 3. Formation of Genesee RiverWatch – How it started | 1. Shannon Dougherty – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 2. Amanda Matkosky – Genesee RiverWatch 3. Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | BREAK | Coffee Refresh | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 10:45 to 12:15 (90 min) | Emerging Issues | 1. NYS Environmental Bond Act – Water Quality Improvement & Resilient Infrastructure 2. Climate Action – NYS Climate Action Plan | 1. James Tierney – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Deputy Commissioner, Water Resources 2. Brian Steinmuller – NYS Agriculture and Markets |
| 12:15 to 12:45 | LUNCH | Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 12:45 to 1:15 | Awards | Presentation to 2022 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Winners | |
| 1:15 to 2:45 (90 min) | Sediment and Phosphorus Load Reduction | 1. Farmland Soil Erosion – Best Management Practices 2. Dairy Industry – Sustainable Practices 3. Wastewater Treatment Plants – Overview 4. Streambank Erosion – Project examples | 1. Bob Stryker – Livingston County S&WCD 2. Brad Schwab – Agricultural Consulting Services 3. Pete Lent – Genesee RiverWatch 4. Scott Fonte – Agricultural Engineering Services |
| 2:45 to 3:00 | Break | Cookies & Beverage Provided | Visit Exhibits |
| 3:00 to 4:30 (90 min) | What needs to be done | 1. Proposal to measurably reduce the impact of erosion, agricultural operations, wastewater treatment plants, and dairy operations on sediment and phosphorus loads to the River, stream monitoring, carbon neutrality, and adaptive management 2. Panel Discussion – Q&A, comments, suggestions | 1. George Thomas and Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch 2. Panel – Speakers and Invited Guests |
| 4:30-4:45 | Wrap-up | Next Steps | Genesee RiverWatch |
Phosphorus: WXXI Connections – Genesee RiverWatch Discussing Impacts to Water Quality
Photo by Julie Williams, WXXI
WXXI’s Connection Program invited Genesee RiverWatch to discuss the impact of phosphorus on water quality.
Listen: WXXI Connections Program – April 3rd. “Why is there a push to reduce phosphorus levels in the environment?”
George Thomas, Executive Director; Mike Haugh, President of the Board; and Joe Makarewicz joined Evan Dawson for the discussion.
Thank You for Making the 2022 Year End Appeal a Success!
As we have done since 2019, we came to you at the end of last year with our Year End Appeal for RiverWatch Donations. Once again, you responded generously, contributing over $5,000 to support the work that we are doing right now!
Each year during the Appeal, we send out a series of letters that remind our audience (and ourselves) of the work we are doing and why this work and the Genesee matters so much to the health of our region. In late 2022 we covered the following:
- Our 1,800-foot streambank restoration work near Houghton, the summer public paddling program, continuation of our annual series of Genesee River Summits, and our water quality project in partnership with the Livingston County Soil & Water Conservation District.
- Our groundbreaking response to climate change in the form of RiverWatch’s “Carbon Neutral Policy” which will guide all our current and future construction projects.
- The meaning and benefits of our river in providing both recreation and the opportunity to better understand our world through study of its history, geology, biology, and environment.
In our holiday letter, we quoted Oliver Wendell Holmes, saying that, “A river is more than an amenity, it is a treasure”. We firmly believe that we are stewards of that treasure. Your response to the Year End Appeal clearly demonstrates that you do as well!
Thank you once again,
The Genesee RiverWatch Team
Mallards Dairy 2019 Streambank Restoration Project – Houghton
Genesee RiverWatch has completed the project to stabilize and restore 1800′ of eroding streambank near Houghton, NY in the Town of Caneadea. The project was funded by the Great Lakes Commission ($197 K) and the owner of Mallards Dairy who committed $119K of in-kind support to the project. The bioengineering technique known as “toe wood” was utilized on this project.