DEC receives comments about Keuka Outlet project

PENN YAN--A development project on the Keuka Outlet in Penn Yan proposes to transform the former Penn Yan Boat factory location into a 42-condo residential space. Preparation work already completed at the 15.43-acre site includes brownfield remediation, the removal of the previous factory buildings and clearing the land to make way for further development.
Recently, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) public comment period ended for proposed work at the site including (Article 15, Title 5) docks, platforms and moorings, (Article 15, Title 5) excavation and fill in navigable waters and (Article 24) freshwater wetlands.
The project description says Keuka Outlet Development LLC will develop approximately 13.1 acres of a 15.43-acre parcel of land. In addition to the condos, development will include a clubhouse, pickleball courts, and associated roads and parking lots. Construction of a boardwalk and the installation of a 665-foot long six-foot wide seasonal floating dock will occur within the Keuka Lake Outlet, a Class C navigable waterbody. The entire boardwalk/dock and a portion of the stormwater facilities will be constructed within the regulated 100-foot adjacent area of a Class One freshwater wetland. Stormwater facilities will require excavation of approximately 650 cubic yards of material and a total area of ground disturbance of approximately 0.25 acres within the regulated adjacent area is expected.
A State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) found the project is a Type I action and will not have a significant effect on the environment. A coordinated review with other agencies was performed and a negative declaration is on file. The SEQR lead agency is the Penn Yan village board. Comments could be submitted to the DEC until Dec. 21, 2017.
A summary of the comments on this action included:
• Concerns about the navigability of the outlet due to its shallow depths and underwater obstructions. This makes it so the entire width of the outlet is not available in many areas and makes boat traffic tight.
• With Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) already in the outlet, and grants in place to remove them, the proposed docks should not impact AIS harvesting.
• A proposed area to clear boat props of AIS is near the project.
• Bringing attention to Kimball's Creek/Gully and the periodic maintenance to keep the mouth of clear.
• General concern about the amount of boat traffic on the lake, including impacts on lake ecology and the shoreline.
The full application can be seen at http://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/20171206_reg8.html.