Governor Hochul Announces Start of REDI Regional Dredging Projects in Monroe and Jefferson Counties

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced dredging has begun at the Sandy Creek Inlet, in the town of Hamlin, Monroe County, as part of the State's $15 million REDI Regional Dredging Project. The dredging of up to 20 navigation channels along Lake Ontario's south shore and the St. Lawrence River is a significant aspect of New York State's $300 million Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. The dredging removes built-up sediment from the bottom of the waterway to allow for continued safe harbor and passage of watercraft. It is anticipated that up to 5,700 cubic yards of sediment will be removed from Sandy Creek. Dredging will be completed with mechanical means and the dredging fleet will include a barge, excavator, and a tugboat. Sediment dredged from the channel will be placed in a defined area approximately 1,200 feet north of the proposed dredge area.

"Communities along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have been forced to battle with the impacts of extreme weather and flooding due to climate change for the past several years and New York is doing everything within its power to ensure that these communities are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at them," Governor Hochul said. "By undertaking these types of dredging and resiliency efforts, we are not only helping to ensure that these navigational channels remain open, but we are keeping those who traverse them safe, while helping to safeguard the local business community that relies on a thriving tourist industry."

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, "Providing safe access to Lake Ontario's harbors and bays is incredibly important both to recreational boaters and the regional tourism economy their dollars help support. The dredging milestones reached in Monroe and Jefferson counties demonstrate the significant progress Governor Hochul's administration is making in communities along the southern shore of this great lake and those along the St. Lawrence River."

In addition, Governor Hochul announced dredging is underway at Clayton French Creek Marina, in the Village of Clayton, Jefferson County. The French Creek Marina is a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from across the state for recreational opportunities, including camping, trailering, boating, and diving. Dredging of the marina channel will be completed using hydraulic means, removing an estimated 6,800 cubic yards of material. The dredging fleet will include a GPS equipped hydraulic excavator and a barge or landing craft. Dredged sediment will be offloaded from barges directly into sealed dump trucks for delivery to a Jefferson County owned parcel located at of the intersection of St. Lawrence Road (County Route 9) and Mutton Lane in the Town of Cape Vincent. Once the sediment is dewatered at this location, it will be used by the Town of Clayton as general fill on Town maintenance projects.

Governor Hochul also announced that an additional dredging project was completed in the town of Henderson, Jefferson County, at what is commonly known as "The Cut," a small channel connecting Lake Ontario and Henderson Bay. The Henderson project was accomplished using mechanical means and the dredging fleet included a barge, excavator, and a tugboat. The volume of sediment removed was approximately 600 cubic yards. Sediment dredged was placed in a defined area approximately one mile northeast of the outlet channel.

New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "Through the REDI initiative, we are helping Lake Ontario communities revitalize their waterfronts and to solve problems facing local waterfront businesses and residents. New York State agencies are working in partnership with several communities to implement measures like these dredging projects, which will help improve overall navigability and access to waterfront resources for residents and visitors alike."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York's REDI investments continue to advance projects that are benefiting communities along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario's southern shore. Dredging Sandy Creek and Clayton French Creek Marina will improve watercraft travel, protecting harbor navigation channels and sustaining recreation and the economic activity it supports without compromising environmental protections."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The REDI Initiative continues to be a lifeline for our shoreline communities in New York State, and the town of Hamlin is one of those communities that will benefit tremendously from investments like this. These projects not only drive tourism and economic development in these regions, but more importantly, they are critical to the preservation of these shoreline communities and improving the quality of life for all who live there."

Senator Patty Ritchie said, "For decades, French Creek Marina has been a place where people could go for all their boating needs and of course, to spend time with friends and family at the area's campground. This important dredging project will ensure people can safely and easily access the marina for many years to come. I only wish French Creek's Hans Wahl, one of the biggest advocates for the St. Lawrence River and safe boating, could be here to see it—but hope his family and friends find comfort in the fact that the impact of his advocacy lives on."

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush said, "I am glad to see the REDI project completed in Henderson Bay. This dredging project will be beneficial to recreational boaters and fisherman, providing safer harbors, while supporting the region's tourist industry."

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley said, "Proactive projects like this save us a lot of money down the road and, most important, help prevent damage or injury that could occur if these sites were left unmaintained. Our waterfronts are an incredible economic resource for us to have in our community, so I am glad this project will keep the Sandy Creek site safe and operational so it can be enjoyed for decades to come."

Assemblyman Mark Walczyk said, "Having advocated for REDI funding, I am pleased to see a continuation of these monies being used for preventative maintenance along the St. Lawrence corridor, especially in communities like Clayton where protecting the shoreline is vital for the local economy and public safety. I will continue working to reinforce infrastructure in flood-affected communities, and I am thankful for all willing partners in our government."

Jefferson County Legislature Chairman Scott Gray said, "The REDI projects continue to rebuild our shorelines and passageways to make our communities more resilient and improve navigation in our waterways and channels. Dredging channels is a necessary maintenance to maintain recreational navigation and has a positive economic impact for businesses along the shoreline. The dredging and sediment reuse will provide an added benefit to provide a comprehensive plan for ongoing harbor management."

Town of Henderson Supervisor Ed Glaser said, "We are excited to see the work at Henderson Bay has been completed. The dredging of the Bay is instrumental in keeping the waterway open for both residents and visitors, supporting local businesses, and promoting the beloved fishing industry of the region."

Town of Hamlin Supervisor Eric Peters said, "The dredging of the Sandy Creek channel is significant to the health and development of the small business community here in the town of Hamlin. We are grateful to see this project beginning. Through the REDI Regional Dredging Program, NYS is helping to ensure the safe and continued passage for recreational boaters and charter captains which will protect the tourist industry that is so critical to the Town of Hamlin and Lake Ontario Shoreline communities."

Village of Clayton Mayor Norma Zimmer said, "The REDI dredging of Clayton's French Creek Marina will be an asset to all who visit the Village and enjoy all of the recreational opportunities that the Marina has to offer. This endeavor will support our local businesses by upholding the tourist industry that is vital to the region. On behalf of the Village, I extend our gratitude to Governor Hochul and the REDI program for the continued support."

The REDI Regional Dredging Project's objective is to provide a comprehensive approach to the ongoing dredging needs for harbor navigation channels used primarily for recreational boating and refuge in the region. This project tackles the necessary dredging of up to 20 harbor navigation channels through Phases I and II. During Phase III, the State will provide counties with the information they need to update, expand, and implement long-term operational, maintenance, and funding plans to maintain recreational navigation channels in the future.

To date, the State has completed 13 REDI dredging projects, and removed approximately 56,000 cubic yards of sediment to provide recreational boaters with safe access to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. In addition to "The Cut" in Henderson, the completed dredging projects include Port Bay, Blind Sodus Bay, East Bay, Bear Creek and Pultneyville in Wayne County, Sandy Pond Inlet and Salmon River/Port Ontario in Oswego County, Irondequoit Bay and Braddock Bay in Monroe County, Little Sodus Bay in Cayuga County, Golden Hill State Park in Niagara County, Oak Orchard in Orleans County.

All dredging activities are dependent on favorable weather and water conditions.

Details about the Regional Dredging Project in Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wayne counties, as well as the regional benefit to all of these counties, is available here.