Canal Corporation extends public comment period for Earthen Embankment Integrity Program

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Residents who want to comment on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) for the New York State Canal Corporation’s Earthen Embankment Integrity Program have more time.

The Canal Corporation announced Monday that the public comment period for the program was extended until Oct. 15. All comments must be received by Oct. 15.

The Canal Corporation is in the process of creating a guidebook to establish policies and procedures for the management of the approximately 125 miles of earthen embankments along the 524-mile Canal system.

That guidebook will include protocols on safety, inspection, maintenance, community outreach and related environmental concerns, including a procedural approach as to where vegetation will be removed from these engineered embankments in the future.

Comments can be sent to NYSCC-Embankments@bergmannpc.com.

There are also two informational sessions scheduled on the Earthen Embankment Integrity Program.

One is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 20 at the Town of Perinton Community Center at 1350 Turk Hill Rd. from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The other is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at the same location, during the same hours.

A press release from the Canal Corporation says it plans to publish overview materials on its website to complement the DGEIS and to specifically break down the program elements related to future public relations and community outreach when projects are identified.