Clayton, NY, Nov 18, 2009 — Yesterday, we heard St. Lawrence Seaway Chief Terry Johnson say that expanding the locks and channels of the St. Lawrence Seaway is "off the table". He also said this in person this week to the St. Lawrence River's biggest environmental advocate, Save The River. It was Johnson's first visit to the group's Clayton offices since being appointed three years ago. Jennifer Caddick is Save the River's executive director. She told David Sommerstein the Seaway chief made a new distinction in their hour and a half meeting on Monday.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Nov 17, 2009 — The head of the St. Lawrence Seaway is doing a blitz through the North Country. U.S. Administrator Terry Johnson met with local media. And yesterday he visited the offices of Save The River in Clayton for the first time since being appointed three years ago. The environmental group has often been at odds with the agency that runs the shipping lanes that link the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. Johnson says he was disturbed by questions over Seaway expansion during the 23rd Congressional race. He says he wants to set the record straight: digging deeper channels in the St. Lawrence River is off the table. "It's a non-issue," Johnson says. "It's just not gonna happen." Yesterday, Johnson spoke with David Sommerstein at Seaway headquarters in Massena. Later this week, we'll hear their conversation about the economics of the Seaway and why traffic has dropped off over the years. Today, Johnson talks about invasive species, shipping during springtime icy conditions, and the history of mistrust many North Country residents have toward the Seaway.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jun 29, 2009 — July will be a month of celebration and reflection as the St. Lawrence Seaway, and its locks, channels, and hydropower dam near Massena, turns 50. The waterway brought global trade to the St. Lawrence River, but also pollution, invasive species, and one catastrophic oil spill. More than 50 environmental groups across the region are releasing a seven-point agenda for a cleaner future for the Seaway. Jennifer Caddick directs one of those groups, Save the River, based in Clayton. She told David Sommerstein the 50th anniversary is bittersweet for residents of the Thousand Islands.  Go to full article

May 07, 2009 — Almost ten years ago, conservationists tried a novel experiment to protect the common tern, a threatened native bird on the St. Lawrence River. The tern's nesting habitat was getting overrun by gulls and geese. So a group of people sort of faked that habitat on the Seaway's giant navigation buoys, known as "nav cells". The plan worked. In 2006, the number of tern nests on the St. Lawrence was the highest recorded since 1982. The tern restoration project is a collaboration between Save the River, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, and Massena-based biologist Lee Harper. And the group has not stood pat. For our series "Story 2.0" - revisiting reports from the NCPR archive - David Sommerstein returns to the Thousand Islands to see the latest in tern-saving technology - a wire grid that keeps tern chicks in and other aggressive birds out.  Go to full article

Feb 05, 2009 — St. Lawrence River advocates, policy makers, and scientists will gather Saturday in Clayton for Save the River's 20th annual Winter Weekend conference. The day-long event at the Clayton Opera house will focus on the effects of climate change on the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes. The event's keynote speaker Saturday night will offer a broader look at rivers across America. Tim Palmer has been writing about and photographing rivers for more than 25 years. Paddler magazine named Palmer "one of the 10 greatest river conservationists of our time". Palmer spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Oct 31, 2008 — Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has developed a code of ethics for wind power projects in New York. The guidelines announced yesterday cover conflicts of interest between wind developers and local officials. They set fines of up to $100,000. Noble Environmental Power, which operates three wind farms in Clinton county, is one of two companies to sign on to the ethics code. But the agreement doesn't end probes into potential wrongdoing. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Sep 08, 2008 — The binational board that controls water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario is doing an about-face that's a victory for environmentalists. In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, the International Joint Commission said there was "little support" for the water levels plan that came out of a five-year, $20-million study. The IJC appears to be abandoning the plan, saying it is "not a practical option." Instead, the IJC said 20 public hearings and more than a thousand comments over the last year indicated "broad, strong interest" for returning the natural ebbs and flows to the river and lake. That was the overwhelming opinion across the North Country. Jennifer Caddick directs Save the River, based in Clayton. Save the River led a campaign for management of water levels that's better for the environment. Caddick told David Sommerstein the IJC's announcement is encouraging news.  Go to full article

Aug 05, 2008 — This summer, wet weather is hammering the North Country and Vermont. Rainfall is well above normal. From farming to tourism, the weather is helping some, hurting others. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Jul 16, 2008 — The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton hosts "North Country Access 2008" this weekend. It's an all-abilities water sports event on the St. Lawrence River. Susan Zabriskie, event chair, says children and adults with mobility impairments, sensory limitation or other disabling conditions are invited to fully participate.  Go to full article

Jul 14, 2008 — A major anchor of the Thousand Islands tourism industry is losing two senior staffers. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton is entering its peak season on the heels of a decade of tremendous growth. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article