Staffing
- Biologist Christina Hoh joined the staff at the N.Montezuma Office in early December. Christina will represent DEC Region 8 on the State’s Migratory Game-bird Team, will co-represent DEC Region 8 on the State’s Herp Team, and will oversee administration of 6 Wildlife Management Areas. christina.hoh@dec.ny.gov
- Nate Carlton has accepted a Biologist position with the DEC Region 7 Bureau of Ecological Health. His last day at the Northern Montezuma Office is 1/19/22. The Northern Montezuma Office has been given permission to post and fill this position. This process has already started and we hope to bring someone in to fill this position sometime in February.
- The Northern Montezuma Office also hopes to bring 2 six-month seasonal technicians onto staff starting in the Spring of 2022.
Access
- Guy’s Marsh – An access trail is still planned from the parking area to the observation deck, and has been added to the 2022 Workplan.
- Gravel work was performed in December on 3 parking lots at N.Montezuma.
- Deep Muck Observation Deck – The removal of several hazard trees is planned. This should also improve sight-lines.
- Mueller Grant: Wildlife Drive Observation Deck – Plan is to submit grant application by Feb 1 deadline. DEC working on maps and permitting. Update needed.
- Access Plan for Northern Montezuma is currently being written.
- Parking lot improvements, new ID Sign and Kiosk planned at Loop Rd Flats in 2022.
Management
- The Reimagine the Canals Project (RTC) is still moving forward with Phase 1 Projects. Design complete and permits have been submitted. Permitting contingent on SHPO review. SHPO report including geomorphology anticipated in February. Anticipated construction start Summer 2022. NYPA considering purchase of a weed harvester.
- The Nature Conservancy inland salt-marsh project is underway. Permits were received in September and the DEC competed the first foliar application to control phragmites in early October. That work will be on-going for several years.
- The 10-acre sedge meadow restoration at the Fallow-Field site will be dormant seeded late winter or early spring. This seeding was delayed by flooding. The remaining seed needed was purchased in January.
- Drawdowns will be planned in February. Carcross Flats, Loop Rd. Flats, M&M Marsh and Guys Marsh will be drawn down in 2022. Other marshes TBD.
- The GLRI Grant funded project was delayed by permitting and flooding in the floodplain in 2021. This DEC/DU/FOTMWC collaboration will restore and enhance 65 acres on both the east and west sides of the Seneca River, south of the bridge. Final permit authorizations are pending (?). Anticipated construction start Summer 2022.
- Winter duck banding for American Black Ducks and Mallards to start January 2022. Work to include transmitter attachment to female ABDUs and MALLs. Traditional trap sites on Cayuga Lake will most likely not be used in 2022. Currently looking for new capture sites.
- River Otter surveys to start January 2022 and extend through March 2022.
- New agricultural contract for 19 acres in Conquest underway. Bids due Feb. 11. Large Ag contract out to bid in late 2022.
Acquisitions
- Negotiations still on-going for acquisition of parcel north of Crusoe Lake, although this parcel may include as much as 50 acres less that originally proposed. Parcel to be acquired may be 130 acres, and would connect 2 already owned parcels.
- Negotiations have begun on a 7-acre parcel that would connect 2 already owned parcels along Crusoe Creek south of Colvin Marsh.
Other
- Feedback from the 2021 waterfowl hunting season at N.Montezuma was generally favorable. Opportunities existed through the 2nd split.
- Acquisition at Galen WMA on-going
- Habitat Management Projects at Junius Ponds Unique Area on-going. Control structure install complete.
- Enhancements of grasslands at Willard WMA on-going. Short-eared Owl and Sedge Wren noted there in 2021.
- New 12 car parking lot planned for Shaker Tract Unit of Lakeshore Marshes WMA in 2022.
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