The Seneca River Water Trail Project SRWT

1. The Seneca River Water Trail Project (SRWT) Our Mission: To establish a 46-mile recreational water trail for non-motorized boaters, which links communities and attractions along the Seneca River and NYS Canal System between Cayuga Lake�s Mud Lock and the Inner Harbor on Onondaga Lake.

2. Why a Seneca River Water Trail?

3. Parts of the Trail Are in Place Town of Aurelius, State/DEC owned launch at Mud Lock (Lock#1) Town of Conquest, State/DEC owned launch at Howland Island (Howland Island Road) Town of Mentz, State/DEC owned launch at Howland Island (Mosquito Point Launch, Left) Town of Brutus, State/DEC owned fishing access (Bonta Bridge Launch) Village of Baldwinsville, Louise Mercer Memorial Park

5. How the Completed Trail Will Look Clearly marked public boat access at regular intervals Consistent visitor orientation and information signage Improved linkages to services and overnight accommodations Publications and other sources of boater information, including maps, boater guidebook, and a website.

6. Seneca River Water Trail Preliminary Goals To develop a Plan for the SRWT To develop an interpretation and promotion program To construct a log crib/dockage at Howland Island To foster local interest and community buy-in

7. Seneca River Water Trail Project Financing NYS Department of State (DOS) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, $50,000 National Park Service Rivers & Trails Program, Technical Assistance, Karl Beard Cayuga County Department of Planning & Development, Local Match, In-Kind Services Town of Brutus, Local Match, In-Kind Service Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District, Local Match, In-Kind Services

8. SRWT Involved Parties Town of Brutus - Project Sponsor The Town of Brutus is acting on behalf of all other municipalities along the SRWT, and is the recipient of NYS Department of State�s grant. Brutus is responsible for establishing the project accounts, paying contractors, and maintaining all original paperwork for this grant. Cayuga County Department of Planning & Development (CCDPD) � Project Administrator CCDPD has contracted with the Town of Brutus to administer the DOS grant. CCDPD will manage the project budget, serve as primary author of the SRWT Plan, coordinate other involved parties, solicit vendor quotes and bids for services, and oversee implementation of all aspects of the Town�s grant proposal.

9. Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board (CNYRPDB) � Project Consultant CNYRPDB has contracted with Cayuga County to coordinate the multi-jurisdictional outreach required to implement this project. Regional Planning will also assist with development of the SRWT Plan, and serve on a Project Advisory Committee to review progress at key stages of the project. National Park Service (NPS) � Project Advisor Karl Beard is providing technical assistance through NPS�s Rivers and Trails Program for this project. NPS has committed its support for a third year to the SRWT Project. Assistance will focus on development of the SRWT Plan, public outreach, events planning and promotion, and stewardship.

10. SRWT Involved Parties, Continued Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) � Contractor CCSWCD has contracted with the Town of Brutus to construct a log crib/dock at Howland Island as a demo project on the River. Project Stakeholders � Groups/Individuals with an interest in the outcome of the SRWT Project, to assist with development of the SRWT Plan, promotion and interpretation, event planning, etc. Local Municipalities Local Paddling Clubs Businesses General Public Advisory Committee � A Project Advisory Committee will be established with representatives from each of the involved municipalities, State Agencies, local paddling clubs and NPS. The Committee will convene at key intervals throughout the project to review and comment on products.

11. Seneca River Water Trail Preliminary Goals Restated To develop a Plan for the SRWT To develop an interpretation and promotion program To construct a log crib/dockage at Howland Island To foster local interest and community buy-in

12. PROJECT GOAL #1Develop a Plan for the SRWT PLAN COMPONENTS Inventory and analysis of existing conditions Schematic Blueway Trail Plan Proposed Projects and Actions Implementation strategy Draft and Final Plan

13. Step 1. Inventory & Analysis

14. Step 2. Schematic Blueway Trail Plan

15. Step 3. Proposed Projects and Actions

16. Step 4. Implementation Strategy

17. Step 5. Draft and Final Plans

18. PROJECT GOAL #2Interpretation and Promotion Program Professional Logo Design Website Development Publication of Boater Guidebook Construction of coordinated interpretive & wayfinding signage

19. PROJECT GOAL #3Log crib/dockage on Howland Island Provides formal access to a 3600-acre wildlife management area where boaters may camp by permit, hike, view wildlife, etc. Serves as a conservation measure to help stabilize the shoreline.

20. PROJECT GOAL #4Foster Local Interest & Community Buy-In

21. What�s Been Accomplished? Project Scoping Meeting w/DOS Completed Contracts Executed: DOS-Town of Brutus Brutus-Cayuga County Brutus-CCSWCD CCDPD-CNYRPDB Community Outreach Plan Completed Draft Inventory Completed: Field Observation GIS Digital Databases Existing Documents: CNY Canal Plan, Canal Corp. Cruising Guide Dockage/Log Crib Design Completed, Under Review; Permits Being Acquired

22. What Are the Next Steps?? Planning Meetings Refine Inventory Identify Issues and Opportunities Identify Trail Improvement Projects Synthesize & Analyze Information from Public Meetings Define Boundaries of SRWT Develop Goal Statements Develop Preliminary List of Proposed Actions Convene Project Advisory Committee to Review Identify Action to Raise Profile of SRWT