We Shouted; They Listened

When I tell folks I moved to Rochester from Florida, they think I’m nuts.  “This is a great community,” I tell them.  But, they don’t get it.  This week’s interaction with the management of the NYS Canal Corporation validated my theory.  Indeed, we live in a great community. 

In case you haven’t heard, the Canal Corp. has begun a project to clear the earthen embankments of all vegetation along 122 of the canal’s 524 miles. They were so confident they’re doing what’s right, they plunged ahead with no public hearings and barely a heads-up to those affected.

Local politicians have supported the community’s call for officials to address the reasons for the project and its sense of urgency.  So, senior management arrived in our region this week to conduct a series of meetings to convince the community of the wisdom of their plan.

They told the editorial board of the local paper their sense of urgency results from an imminent danger of a breach of the earthen structures that protect adjacent properties.  When asked if there was anything or anyone that would stop or slow their project, they replied that only a “higher power” would do.  I’m not sure if they meant God or the courts.

At their first town hall meeting, they played the “Fear Card”, showing how a breach could affect the Jefferson Avenue School in Perinton.  Yet they haven’t notified anyone in jeopardy of imminent danger.  As for why there has been no breach in the last century, despite the existence of vegetation on the embankments, they have no answer other than to say it could happen at any time.  Where’s Nostradamus when you need him?

A local citizens group led by Fairport’s Elizabeth Agte did some research in anticipation of the meeting.  Their conclusion:  they’ve cherry-picked the science to support their plan, refusing to consider alternative guidance. The owner of a local excavation company told me he faces similar challenges almost daily. Vegetation should be removed if the soil is clay, he asserts.  On the other hand, if the soil is sandy, root systems stabilize embankments.  The approach would vary depending upon not only the type of soil but also the types of trees.  Deep root systems stabilize banks.  Shallow ones do the opposite.  You would have to take soil samples and analyze what types of trees are present before taking action. 

When I asked if soil samples had been taken, we were told us it wasn’t necessary.  Yet, when challenged by a Perinton resident whose 5-acre property is mostly sand, they responded, “we'd need soil samples.”

Faced with a possible lawsuit by three towns, they backed down.  Thursday night, they announced a modified plan – one that takes into consideration possible differences in soil types and vegetation.  We got what we asked for. 

"Yes," I thought. "Rochester is a great community."