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NOAA wants part of St. Lawrence River included in marine sanctuary because of two shipwrecks

Posted 7/5/20

BY ANDY GARDNER North Country This Week The St. Lawrence County legislature will explore possibly allowing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to include a portion on the St. …

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NOAA wants part of St. Lawrence River included in marine sanctuary because of two shipwrecks

Posted

BY ANDY GARDNER

North Country This Week

The St. Lawrence County legislature will explore possibly allowing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to include a portion on the St. Lawrence River in a Lake Ontario marine sanctuary.

County Administrator Ruth Doyle brought up the proposal during a June 29 Board of Legislators Finance Committee meeting broadcast live on YouTube.

She said the NOAA is interested in extending the sanctuary border because of two shipwrecks under the county’s portion of the river. She said the feds “make sure when they designate a sanctuary that it’s what the region wants.”

Legislators said they want to learn more about what it would entail before making a decision.

Legislator James Reagen, R-Ogdensburg, said he wants the Planning Department to do research and report back to the board.

“I don’t know a lot about this. I’m sure many others in the room don’t. There may be advantages to it, there may be disadvantages. I just don’t think we know,” he said. “I think having an independent analysis from our own people ... it would benefit us in the long term as we weigh a decision.”

“I agree with Mr. Reagen,” said Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Acres, R-Madrid. “I don’t know what their intention is. Would it discourage hiking? Would it be discouraging normal fishing practices?”

Doyle said they have time to think it over. The process to designate the sanctuary is far from complete and “will continue for a number of years ahead,” she told the board.

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