Local Efforts to Save Blind Bay     

Last year, the River community took urgent action to protect a special place in danger of being changed forever. After learning of Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP) plan to construct a new Border Patrol facility in the heart of the Thousand Islands the River community stepped in to help prevent what could only be described as an unprecedented loss to our St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Galvanized around the issue, countless elected officials, regional agencies, and non-profit environmental organizations voiced opposition to the proposal. In addition, over a thousand members of the River community submitted public comments encouraging CBP to seek alternative sites.

In November, the Land Trust officially acquired the Blind Bay property. A true environmental treasure, Blind Bay is not only a historic breeding ground for muskellunge and 53 additional fish species, it is home to numerous mammal and bird species that are characteristic of the Thousand Islands. “Save The River (STR) applauds TILT’s bold initiative in protecting this critical habitat that is essential to support biodiversity in the River and along its shorelines,” commented John Peach, STR’s Executive Director. “TILT’s commitment to conserving critical environmental habitat combined with STR’s advocacy on behalf of the River has made the protection of Blind Bay possible.”

Coalition Steps Up

Since the acquisition was finalized, TILT and Save The River have been focused on developing a long-term conservation plan for Blind Bay. Recently, the organizations hosted a group of Scouts from Fort Drum. As part of the Blind Bay Stewardship Day, the group installed wood duck boxes and a variety of songbird nest boxes. “Blind Bay is an important community project for STR and TILT, and we want children to get out on the Preserve so that they can learn the importance of protecting our region’s most important natural resources,” stated Shannon Walter, TILT’s Education & Outreach Coordinator.

For the last several months, the Blind Bay Coalition has been working with elected officials and community leaders to help identify alternative sites for the proposed Border Patrol facility. “While the Blind Bay Coalition is opposed to CBP siting the new facility in and around Blind Bay, it understands the important role the Agency plays when it comes to homeland security and protecting our nation’s borders,” explained Jake Tibbles, TILT’s Executive Director. “That’s one of the reasons why we’ve offered to assist CBP with the environmental evaluation of alternative sites.”

A proposal by the Town of Alexandria to locate a new Border Patrol facility at the former Bonnie Castle Recreation Center was sent to CBP last year. “As highlighted in recent news articles, the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center offered by the Town of Alexandria seems to address Customs & Border Protection’s needs, at the same time, avoids negatively impacting the environmentally sensitive Blind Bay,” stated Phil Reed, Jefferson County Legislator. “This proposal looks to have the support of the local community and many elected officials, including Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Tenney.”

Moving Forward

The Blind Bay Coalition plans to keep the River community informed on any developments pertaining to CBP’s proposal. It also plans to continue working with elected officials and proactively engaging CBP. “Considering our long-standing relationships with the River communities and deep knowledge of the region’s complex ecosystems, Coalition partners are uniquely positioned to work with CBP to avoid other sites that may be equally or more sensitive than Blind Bay,” described Peach.

Following the structure of STR’s Trash Free River program, TILT and STR have scheduled a shoreline clean-up for shallow waters of Blind Bay. This spring, teams will use kayaks, tall rubber boots, nets, and trash grabbers to remove trash and debris from the shoreline and adjacent wetlands and woods. Last year, staff filled contractor bags full with a variety of polystyrene fragments and single-use plastics.

This summer TILT and Save The River plan to hold additional environmental education programs and continue their support of the Thousand Islands Biological Station’s Muskellunge Population Restoration Program. The two organizations also plan to host a community gathering to raise funds for the long-term conservation and defense of Blind Bay.

For more information regarding efforts to protect Blind Bay, visit saveblindbay.com