U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to offer all necessary resources to the Sandy Pond Channel Maintenance Association (SPCMA) to help stop further buildup of sand in the channel connecting Sandy Pond to Lake Ontario.
The accumulation of sand in the channel has prevented boaters from entering and exiting Sandy Pond, causing a decline in the tourism and recreation industries, and costing revenue to local retail businesses that operate around the pond, including restaurants, marinas, sporting goods stores, gift and antique shops, camp grounds, motels and other small businesses.
“ The buildup of sand in the channel is coming at a major cost to the local economy of Oswego County, ” Senator Gillibrand said. “ When boats can’t travel through the channel and reach Sandy Pond, it robs us of a thriving tourism and recreational industry, and holds a whole range of local businesses back – costing us revenue and risking local jobs. It’s time for the Army Corps of Engineers to step in, and offer any resource available so we can get Oswego County’s economy back on the move.”
On top of the cost to the local economy, the buildup is also raising concerns about the effect on public safety. The Coast Guard, Sheriff’s Department and Sandy Creek Fire Department all rely on Sandy Pond to access Lake Ontario. The accumulation of sand makes navigating the channel into Lake Ontario more difficult, which puts the local communities at potential risk in the case of an emergency.
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Press Release, October 11, 2012