Corps of Engineers to host public meeting to review draft East Sidney Lake master plan and EA

Published March 28, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the surrounding communities to attend a public meeting on April 3 to review, submit feedback and comment on the draft East Sidney Lake Master Plan and draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

The public meeting on April 3 will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sidney Town Clerk Building, located at 44 Grand St., Sidney, New York. The format of the meeting will include an open house discussion with project team members from 6 to 7 p.m. A formal project presentation and question and answer session will begin at 7p.m. followed by another open house discussion from 8 to 9 p.m.

The draft master plan and draft EA can be found on the East Sidney Lake Master plan website, will be available at the public meeting and are available for review at the Franklin Free Library located at 334 Main St., Franklin, New York. 

The public can provide comments and feedback regarding the draft EA and draft master plan until May 5, 2019 to Major Terrence Harrington at (410) 962-1846 or at terrence.g.harrington@usace.army.mil. Additionally, questions can be mailed to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Division, Subject: East Sidney Lake Project, 2 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201.

All updates regarding the Master Plan revision, public meeting information and ways to submit comments or questions may be found on the following site: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/

About the East Sidney Lake Master Plan Revision

East Sidney Lake has prevented an estimated $295 million in flood damages to the surrounding communities since the project’s operational completion in April 1950. Located on Ouleout Creek in Delaware County, New York, the dam is approximately four highway miles downstream from the village of Franklin and six miles upstream from Unadilla. The East Sidney Lake project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of June 22, 1936, as amended by the Flood Control Act of June 28, 1938. Recreational facilities were available starting in May 1965. The town of Sidney operates and maintains the East Sidney Recreation Area. Recreational facilities include a beach, picnic area, playground, campground, and boat launch.

The primary goals of the East Sidney Lake Master Plan revision are to improve infrastructure and utilities, enhance existing recreation sites and amenities, and expand recreational opportunities in key areas. The revised Master Plan will be a project-centered document designed to provide a framework for consistent, responsible decision-making for the next 15 to 25 years at East Sidney Lake.

Master Plans have no set timeframe for revisions, but they are developed to have an effective lifespan of 15 to 25 years. The current Master Plan for East Sidney Lake dates back to 1961. The revision is also a part of a larger, Corps-wide effort to bring master plans up to date across the country.

The Master Plan revision will not change the technical operations of the lake as related to its primary missions of flood risk management and recreation and environmental stewardship.

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Contact
Rebecca Nappi
410-962-7464
rebecca.nappi@usace.army.mil

Release no. UNRELEASED