Lewis OKs ATV project

LOWVILLE — Lewis County legislators on Thursday signed off on a final impact statement for a countywide all-terrain vehicle trail system, setting the stage for system development to begin in about one month.

Legislators, by a 9-0 vote, approved the final generic environmental impact statement developed by county staff, Syracuse engineering firm Barton & Loguidice and Albany law firm Hiscock & Barclay. Legislator Richard C. Lucas, R-Barnes Corners, owner of the Montague Inn, abstained.

"I think we've done a fine job on this report," said Legislator Patrick F. Wallace, R-Lowville, who introduced the resolution as a member of the legislative Economic Development Committee.

Lawmakers at their Dec. 2 meeting were given copies of the document to review prior to Thursday's vote.

Now, after giving involved agencies the chance to review it, legislators — likely at their February meeting — will need to adopt a findings statement to complete the state Environmental Quality Review process.

Upon completion of the nearly two-year-old, $100,000 project, county officials plan to begin developing trails on county reforestation land. The proposed system also would include trails on private land, along with connecting town and county roads.

Future trail development is also to be conducted within guidelines included in the GEIS, which identifies numerous potential environmental effects of a trail system and provides ways those impacts could be mitigated.

The final document includes a summary of all comments made last fall by involved agencies and members of the public about the draft GEIS and responses to those concerns, including extra field work.

"I think you've done a great job as far as answering questions and concerns," Legislator Jerry H. King, R-West Leyden, said.

However, Mr. King asked how any future, unforeseen concerns could be addressed.

The county could conduct a supplemental study in the event that a potentially significant environmental concern comes to light, while minor issues could be handled through trail system administration, said Andrew J. Leja of Hiscock & Barclay.

The study included a physical investigation of all proposed trails, said John J. Condino of Barton & Loguidice.

"We're very confident that the hard look has been taken," Mr. Condino said.

Any trails added to the system later would need to be studied in a similar fashion to ensure that all environmental issues are addressed, he said.

While there will be no further public comment period on the environmental review, the resolution passed Thursday by legislators directs that a copy of the final GEIS be available for public inspection at the legislators office in the old county courthouse, North State Street, and at the county's Web site, www.lewiscounty

ny.org.

Also at Thursday's meeting, County Manager David H. Pendergast told legislators that it's too early to determine the impact of aid cuts in the governor's proposed budget on county programs.

"We will be doing a review as soon as we get more details from the Legislature," Mr. Pendergast said, adding he should have a better idea by the Feb. 3 meeting.

Legislators, following their final meeting of the year Thursday, had their annual luncheon at Memories Restaurant in Beaches Bridge.