by Hugh Mitchell

Last year at this time Sierra Club ran a very successful Environmental Forum addressing the future of the city-owned natural lands around Hemlock/Canadice Lakes. This initiated and contributed to a community-wide effort to facilitate the sale of the rare 7,200 acre watershed of "Our Little Lakes" to New York State. In a win-win situation it is proposed that the State buy the lands from the City and preserve them in perpetuity while providing the city with much needed revenue.

Such a sale is more complex than would appear and is also moving more slowly than we like. Part of the complexity is that the future of the whole City water system is under discussion with the Monroe County Water Authority. Another complexity is the economic downturn which has hampered NYS revenues. The Environmental Protection Fund, which had been identified as the most likely source of state monies to purchase the lands has not received the expected 2008 revenues.

Currently both the City and States are in the final stages of completing separate land value assessments which are expected to be complete and released to the public in March. This should make it possible to start serious discussions on the future of the watershed lands. In the mean time, the 20 year water sharing agreement between the City and Monroe County Water Authority which was set to expire this April has been extended for one year while the City and MCWA continue their regular round of talks.

Sierra Club recommends that all individuals and groups interested in the preservation of Hemlock/Canadice lands continue to express our keen interest in the preservation of these wonderful assets. The city, county and state representatives all need to hear from environmentalists that we expect preservation of Hemlock/Canadice lands forever into the future.