Tony C. Zappia       Focus on the Outdoors

Human encroachment into wildlife areas, which has increased exponentially over the past few decades, has resulted in the elimination or irreversible negative effect on a cross section of large mammals and wild bird populations.

We've witnessed this time and time again, especially as urban sprawl spills out into our north country farmlands and woodlots.

Fortunately, New Yorkers have relied in the past on DEC to protect these critical habitat areas. However, DEC is about to do the unmentionable — it is allowing the construction of a paved, 24-foot wide, year-round roadway, through the heart of Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area.

Wilson Hill WMA, encompassing approximately 3,400 acres, is located along the St. Lawrence River approximately 7 miles west of the village of Massena, in the town of Louisville.

According to DEC, the area is ideal for nesting and migrating waterfowl because of its proximity to the St. Lawrence River. The shallow impoundments of the area provide habitat for puddle and diver ducks, and geese. In addition to waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, song birds and raptors, including bald eagles and osprey, can be found on the area.

The emergent marsh that surrounds the pools supports an abundance of wetland furbearers including beaver, muskrat, mink and otter. Deer, turkey, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, grouse and ringed-neck pheasant can also be found on the area.

Much of the land area bordering Wilson Hill WMA is rural in nature, including scattered residences, active agriculture and abandoned fields. An exception is the north shore of Wilson Hill Island, which has been extensively developed with seasonal camps and permanent residences along the St. Lawrence River. Recently, the southern border, nearby the refuge pool, has been purchased and is in the process of being sold as residential building lots.

During the late 1990s, the town of Louisville requested the construction of an emergency access road to be built between the refuge (east) pool and the west pool as part of a settlement plan on behalf of the New York Power Authority relicensing. At the time, the intent was to create shorter emergency access time for rescue vehicles on to Wilson Hill. The intent was to keep the road closed and gated, and only permit emergency vehicles to access the area.

However, since that time, the town of Louisville built a new fire station closer to Wilson Hill. In fact, the response distance from the new fire station is over 2 miles closer.

During an informational meeting with NYPA, DEC and concerned citizens, I questioned NYPA's John Suloway and local DEC officials on the need for building the road and the legalities of possibly amending the FERC license.

Suloway responded by saying the license could not be amended. "It's not an easy process," said Suloway. But, when pressed on this issue, Suloway refused to give a yes or no direct answer.

In a recent article in the Courier-Observer, Louisville Town Supervisor, Larry Legault, a residential contractor who does considerable business on Wilson Hill, said, "I agree that the duck hunters have some issues with that road being built. I think the safety and well-being of the residents of Wilson Hill is just as important or more important than what it may cause for the hunters."

During a Louisville town board meeting Wednesday, Legault stated, "It is our intention to get that road open permanently." He explained his first step was to "get the road paved," and "once that is completed, then they'll (Louisville town board), will move to get the road open."

Perhaps Legault just doesn't understand. The road in question has little to do with hunting or hunters. Instead, it has everything to do with the rich ecosystem a wildlife management is supposed to support. Unfortunately, Legault and a few residents of Wilson Hill could care less about the irreversible damage created by a roadway. Unfortunately, the New York Power Authority and DEC could care less about the irreversible damage they are about to unleash.

I guess it's not the wildlife that's so valuable these days. Evidently, NYPA and DEC both place more emphasis on keeping a few Louisville residents and a subservient Louisville town supervisor content.

Are there alternative solutions to this contentious plan? Absolutely. Will governmental officials entertain such thoughts? Who knows?

The St. Lawrence Local Government Task Force will be meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Louisville fire station, on Route 37. Those who wish to express their interest in this matter should plan on attending.

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

TOMS & TUSKS WITH THE TIMES

To honor those who serve this great country of ours, the Watertown Daily Times and yours truly have put together a spring outdoors adventure contest for one lucky active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Drum - Toms & Tusks with the Times.

The soldier will have the opportunity to hunt spring tom turkey and European wild boar on May 19 and 20 at Basswood Lodge and Hunting Preserve, Rensselaer Falls, with myself, the staff at Basswood and two Primos Pro-Staffers.

The winning soldier will spend two days hunting and field testing the latest hunting gear. And to ensure the winning soldier will be prepared for the hunt, a handful of co-sponsors will be outfitting the winner with top-notch, state-of-the-art hunting gear to use and take home after the outing.

To enter, you'll need to keep an eye on upcoming promotional advertising in the Watertown Daily Times.