Rochester embayment of Lake Ontario no longer 'Area of Concern'

Kevin Oklobzija//July 20, 2022//

Listen to this article

Map showing Lake Ontario and Rochester Embayment, former Area of Concern — Health and environmental officials are prepared to remove the Area of Concern designation for the Rochester Embayment of Lake Ontario (map courtesy of the EPA).

With the improvement of water and wildlife conditions within the Rochester embayment of Lake Ontario, health and environmental agencies are seeking public input on the proposed elimination of the Area of Concern designation.

The Monroe County Department of Public Health and the state Department of Environmental Conservation will conduct a virtual informational meeting from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday with an update on the 35-year effort to restore natural resources within the embayment.

A public comment period also will be open until Aug. 24 regarding the proposed removal of the Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI).

The area stretches from Bogus Point in Parma to Nine Mile Point in Webster and includes about six miles of the Genesee River inland to the lower falls.

Since implementation of the Area of Concern in 1987, the health department, along with the DEC, has addressed more than a dozen BUIs, improving water quality, fish and wildlife populations and habitat.

Officials said in a news release that conditions have improved to the point “where the impairment no longer exists and the BUI designation can be removed.”

To attend the virtual seminar, follow instructions on the webinar page. The password is welcome1. The dial-in number is 518-549-0500 (access code: 234 197 35789, followed by #, followed by password 93526631).

[email protected]/(585) 653-4020