Lack Of Cooperation Upsets Local Officials
MASSENA - Scrapping work on the proposed Grasse River hydro dam project has drawn the ire of local elected officials.
They have no qualms with the Massena Electric Department utility board, which called the project off, or Alcoa, which helped to fund the project.
Officials are upset at the lack of cooperation from state agencies in helping to complete the project. Mayor Randy G. DeLosh said the project affects far more than just MED or Alcoa.
"The scope of this is isn't just done at this level. It's actually affecting several different projects that we had hoped in mind to come to fruition here in this village," Mayor DeLosh said.
Even though Mayor DeLosh said the village's waterfront redevelopment plans can proceed without the project, recreational benefits will now continue to be limited in the river. Boating and fishing downtown are still difficult because of the river's low water levels, which would have been raised in the dam project.
"These state agencies, it just seems like they are driving costs up for our small rural communities," Mayor DeLosh said. "It's almost like they block us from wanting to strive to make our communities and drive some form of economic development here in the North Country."
Supervisor Joseph D. Gray said keeping the river at its current water levels will continue to put a damper on real estate development in Massena and Louisville. People who built a $250,000 home on the river before the old dam broke now have a stream in its place, Mr. Gray said.
The state agencies in charge in Albany are out of touch with Massena's needs, Mr. Gray said.
"They've allowed what was once a vibrant section of river to become, in essence, a slow-moving marsh," he said.
Building the dam was advantageous for Massena, Louisville, Alcoa and MED, he said.
"There was no downside whatsoever, except in the small mind of some bureaucrat in Albany," Mr. Gray said.
Town Councilman Charles A. Raiti said the news was a perfect example of state dysfunction.
"This state has got to wake up. This is a prime example of why this state is going. Everybody's leaving," Mr. Raiti said.
Mr. Raiti blamed both federal and state elected officials for not doing more to rein in the regulatory agencies, and commended MED for their work on the project.
"Engineers have had their hands out to cooperatively work with these people for 12 years and what have they done? Kick them in the pants," he said. "They've got to start realizing they've got to get these regulatory agencies under control or we'll never have any business in the state. Never."
Mr. Raiti said he didn't understand how any group could be opposed to a project that would benefit so many.
"Here is clean energy, renewable energy, going to help economic development, going to help downtown Massena. And what do those agencies do? Throw up more dog-gone bars," he said. "This is why this state is going to hell in a hand basket."
Mr. Raiti urged the DEC and other regulatory agencies to better cooperate with local governments attempting to complete projects.
"I love the environment. I'm a hunter and a fisherman. I want it taken care of. But this is absolutely ridiculous," he said
The town of Louisville co-sponsored the joint resolution in 1998 in support of constructing the dam with the village and town of Massena. Supervisor Larry H. Legault was not available for comment Wednesday.
