The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Canoe Rental Business Proceeds

By

by Kieron Kramer
At the Grafton Planning Board meeting on Monday, March 21, the Board voted to accept David Buckley’s application to establish a canoe and kayak rental business on the Ray Darling property on Route 2, the site of the Old Partners Inn. The business will be called Graftonondack Outfitters & Boat Livery.
Before accepting the application the Board reviewed Buckley’s State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF). Among other questions the Short EAF asks, “Could action result in any adverse effects associated with…existing air quality, surface or groundwater quality, noise levels, existing traffic patterns, solid waste production or disposal, potential for erosion, drainage or flooding problems?” For these and the other questions the Board determined that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental impact. Withcuskey said, “I’ve worked with Dave [Buckley] and did some research.” Withcuskey called the DOT and found that they have no problems with the traffic pattern because there had been a business there before with access to the road. “The signage is a neutral color; David and I discussed the placement of the signs,” Withcuskey added. According to Withcuskey, the DEC had no problem with the project, but there is a concern about invasive species in the NYS waterways, and the DEC wanted to make sure that the canoes and kayaks would be transported appropriately and the boat users educated about the problem of invasive species. Buckley said that he had already spoken to Liz Wagner at Grafton Lakes State Park and Lisa Hoyt at Dyken Pond about how to educate the public that will be using the boats. Both Withcuskey and Buckley said how important it is to maintain the integrity of the lakes and waterways in Grafton and how precious a resource they are.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the project was scheduled for 6:45 pm before the next regular Planning Board meeting on April 18.
There being no other business before the Board or informal questions from the public, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.