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When the New York Power Authority (NYPA) built the St. Lawrence-FDR Seaway and power project in 1953-1958, they had to dredge the bottom of the St. Lawrence River in many areas from Massena to Lisbon to allow navigation by large cargo ships over 730 feet long. NYPA also constructed a large hydropower dam in Massena and flooded thousands of acres in the process. NYPA forced local businesses, farms and homeowners to move to higher ground or face demolition. Unfortunately, many buildings were destroyed, including some historic structures, such as the Ogden Mansion on Ogden Island, where all of the structures belonging to 5 farming families were also razed. Many residents, farmers and business owners decided to not rebuild and moved to other areas. There are many people that live in Waddington and the surrounding area that remember the dramatic changes very well. Many of these people still harbor deep resentment toward NYPA because of what they lost for the ‘benefit of the greater good’. There is a feeling they were not compensated justly for their land. In all, thousands of acres were flooded and thousands more taken by NYPA for other project purposes. In 1986 NYPA announced that 5,100 acres were considered surplus and would be conveyed back to the people. Much of this land was in the Town of Waddington, including Leishman Point, Whitehouse Bay area and Ogden Island.
Aerial View of Waddington and Ogden Island before the Seaway
Access detail on this important topic below.
Read the results of an exit Poll conducted after the Clarkson Study was presented to the public.. Understanding that a person’s opinion on this topic is not limited to economic
factors, the ultimate decision will be based on other perceptions and attitudes which
would manifest themselves in a true planning process. It is to that end that WRA will
continue to strive. WRA will once again be asking the town board to support a series of
visioning and planning sessions during which the public can make their thoughts known.
Citizens may contribute their thoughts by sending a message to team-surpluslands@waddingtonredev.org, sending letter to WRA, PO Box 732, Waddington, NY 13694, telephone: 315-388-4990, or by joining our discussion forum. Citizens are also welcome to join WRA at the open meeting being held the last Thursday of every month at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Waddington. They are also invited to share their talents by joining one of the working groups. Financial contributions can also be made to WRA c/o Seedcorn at PO Box 732, Waddington, NY 13694, to defray the $3,000 cost of the important Clarkson Feasibility Study and Comparative Analysis of Economic Development Options for Leishman Point. NYPA-Local Task Force Settlement Agreement An additional 159 acres will be deeded back to Waddington at the end of River Rd. in before October 2003, which is when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is expected to approve the new license for the operation of the St. Lawrence-FDR power project, operated by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). There will be other lands returned to adjoining landowners or the town as a result of changing the project boundary from elevation 250 feet to 246 feet plus 25 feet in all areas that are not considered to be a significant habitat area; in these areas the boundary will be elevation 246 feet plus 100 feet. Leishman Point has both boundaries. See NYPA Settlement Agreement for more information. Contact Information
Reference
These sites below are very interesting. If someone looks closely at the formulas it shows that a decrease in enrollment or increase in property valuations or an increase in income can decrease the amount of state aid a district receives. As districts show the ability to pay more locally they get less aid.
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