Company asked to replace bridge

St. Lawrence County wants Hampshire Paper to replace and maintain the Emeryville Bridge in Fowler as part of the relicensing of the company's hydroelectric project over the Oswegatchie River.

The county made the request as part of comments to Hampshire's draft settlement agreement.

The county also has asked that Hampshire Paper contribute to a river enhancement fund. The county is satisfied with the existing canoe portage and upstream small boat launch and a planned downstream boat launch but would like longer access for when the Oswegatchie isn't frozen.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is looking at the relicensing of the Emeryville hydroelectric project in coordination with relicensing of the Natural Dam project, which is owned by Cellu Tissue, and the Oswegatchie River project, which is owned by Brookfield Power.

All of the licenses end in 2012.

Michael R. McDonald, the Emeryville project's manager, said the company's answer will come in time.

"We're in the process of responding to comments on the draft settlement agreement," he said. "We've got a couple of weeks. We sent out a draft. Various groups, including the DEC, U.S. Fish & Wildlife and the Adirondack Mountain Club, make comments on it. Then we respond."

Responsibility for the single-lane, 42-foot wood deck bridge, which is deteriorated, has been in question for years.

It's the shorter of two nearby bridges that cross the Oswegatchie. The longer span is clearly owned by the county. The Emeryville bridge, which crosses the section of the river diverted as part of the dam, wasn't included when the county took over bridges longer than 20 feet. The company, the county and the town have refused to claim it.

The river enhancement fund requested by the county would cover activities not stipulated in the FERC license but could be used for conservation easements, fish stocking or related uses. Each company's contributions would be tied to its authorized capacity, said Jon R. Montan, county planner.

Cellu Tissue already has agreed to contribute to the fund, Mr. Montan said.

Meetings with Brookfield may take place in the winter.

"The fund is really the main issue there," Mr. Montan said.