Under the new License the Niagara Relicensing ESC is responsible for reviewing the implementation and ongoing status of the eight defined Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs) that were established as NYPA implementation obligations with the Niagara Relicensing.
See below for details.
(1) Strawberry Island Restoration: This HIP created additional complex marsh and high-energy wetland habitats for fish and wildlife, complementing recent habitat enhancements undertaken by the DEC. The improvements created approximately seven acres of new diverse wetland habitat for fish, wildlife and water birds on the state-owned island. The improvement project includes measures to protect downstream shallow water habitats that may be affected by erosion caused by severe storms. Recreational opportunities, i.e., fishing, hunting and bird watching, were also enhanced. Following field studies, excavation work began in 2015 and was completed in 2016. This was followed by extensive planting that was conducted in phases through 2018. Monitoring is ongoing.
(2) Frog Island Restoration: This HIP involved re-creation of approximately five acres of diverse habitat conditions at the site of a former island in the Niagara River. The habitat was created in a high-energy environment and consists of coarse (boulders, cobbles and gravel) and fine (muck, silt, clay and sand) substrate at variable depths that will support fish and wildlife; a series of low-profile berms was added to protect the new interior habitat area.
Excavation work for this HIP was begun in 2013 and completed in 2015, followed by two years of planting. Ongoing monitoring has indicated that there is some erosion occurring in the interior, for which NYPA has proposed some further protective measures to the ESC.
(3) Motor Island Shoreline Protection: The HIP includes the establishment of shoreline aquatic habitat and riparian vegetation up to the water’s edge to help stabilize shoreline erosion for the state-owned island, which is managed by the DEC for protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife, protected by low-profile berms. Some upland demolition work and planting was also included. Excavation and upland work was begun and completed in 2012, with some site plantings added in 2013. Due to sustained high water levels in following years, some further erosion was still observed and further work was completed in 2018 to raise the berms and restore eroded areas. Monitoring is ongoing.
(4) Beaver Island Wetland Restoration: this HIP consists of the removal of fill placed at a former riverine wetland and site grading, and invasive species-control to help restore hemi-marsh and shallow pools to the Beaver Island shoreline. Diverse native vegetation was planted extensively, providing food and cover for wildlife. Construction, including excavation and planting, was begun in 2010 and completed in 2013. Five years of post-implementation monitoring has confirmed that the HIP succeeded in re-establishing a functioning wetland, with more limited monitoring still ongoing.
(5) Control of Invasive Species-Buckhorn/Tifft Marshes: This HIP seeks to control exotic and invasive plant species, including Japanese knotweed and common reed, in Tifft Marsh in Lackawanna and Buckhorn Marsh on Grand Island. These measures promote growth of diverse wetland vegetation and improve wetland functions. Initial implementation began in 2009, with annual treatments since then. Planning for beyond 2020 has been initiated.
(6) Osprey Nesting on the Niagara River: This HIP has increased the availability of suitable nesting sites in the Upper Niagara River. Osprey nesting has been improved by installing pole-mounted platforms in wetland areas at or near Beaver Island State Park, East River Marsh, Buckhorn Marsh, Adams Slip, and Tifft Farm Nature Preserve. The first installation was successfully completed in August 2007 near the Buckhorn Island Weirs. Five of six nesting poles have been installed, however, installation of the sixth was postponed pending a review by NYPA and the ESC of the status of osprey populations in the area and specific usage at each of the NYPA-installed poles in 2019, the ESC approved NYPA’s proposal to go forward with the sixth pole installation, and NYPA is currently reviewing candidate sites.
(7) Common Tern Nesting: In consultation with DEC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this HIP was constructed in 2009 and expanded in 2010 to create and enhance nesting sites for common tern—a threatened species in New York State—at four locations on the Buffalo Harbor breakwall. The work consisted of anchoring steel enclosures at the highest elevations of the breakwater sites, adding gravel-nesting substrate, removing vegetation, installing perimeter fencing, and in the first year only the deployment of a tern-nesting barge. With occasional exceptions due to predation, these sites have been very successful, although an unusually severe storm in late 2019 has disrupted one of the sites by destroying the USACE’s in-progress refurbishment work. Contingency planning for tern nesting at another site in 2020 is ongoing.
(8) Installation of Fish Habitat/Attraction Structures: Since the bottom of the Niagara River provides limited cover for fish, this HIP included prototype designs for large-object (boulder) cover in selected areas along the bottom of the upper Niagara River where fish can find shelter from water velocity, and be able to forage. Among the species that are benefiting are muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Construction at four sites was completed in 2009, although the structure at the shallowest site is no longer viable due to damage by ice. NYPA has completed the four non-consecutive years of diving/video monitoring that had been committed to, and the ESC accepted NYPA’s proposal to discontinue further activities related to this HIP. It should be noted, however, the remaining structures have served as prototypes for additional fish attraction structure installations by others under the Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Fund.
