TILT has officially purchased, from Blind Bay Associates, the 20.5 acre Blind Bay Property located along Waters Edge Lane in the Town of Orleans.

Combined with TILT’s prior conservation investment of adjacent lands, the Blind Bay Preserve now includes approximately 36 acres of mixed hardwood forest and over 895 feet of undeveloped shoreline, consisting of pristine open water and emergent wetlands. The protection of this parcel is a true triumph of community support for conservation in the Thousand Islands region.

TILT has long recognized the ecological significance of Blind Bay, conserving the initial 16.1 acres in 2016 with financial support from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Federal funding through NAWCA is designed to increase bird populations and wetland habitats, while supporting local economies. Wetlands protected under NAWCA provide valuable benefits such as flood control, reducing coastal erosion, and improving water quality. Earlier this year, US Customs & Border Protection (CPB) disclosed that it had identified Blind Bay as the preferred site for a new 55,000 square foot Border Patrol facility featuring year-round night illumination and multiple docks.

Save The River Executive Director, John Peach, said “Blind Bay is an ecological treasure and one of the most prolific breeding grounds for the muskellunge, the River’s apex predator. The Bay is also home to more than 52 other fish species including New York State (NYS) Species of Concern and Species of Conservation Need such as the American eel; blackchin, blacknose, and bridle shiner; Eastern musk turtle, and map turtle. The NYS endangered pugnose shiner has also been found in Blind Bay.” Peach continued, “While TILT’s acquisition expands critically sensitive protected habitat, it’s a move that could avoid the siting of the proposed Border Patrol facility in Blind Bay.”

While TILT is opposed to the siting of the proposed Border Patrol facility in and around Blind Bay, staff have attempted to assist CBP with the environmental evaluation of alternative sites. With longstanding relationships with the River communities and deep knowledge of the region’s complex ecosystems, TILT is uniquely positioned to work with CBP to avoid other sites like Blind Bay that may be equally or more sensitive. “Both TILT and Save The River recognize and support the important role US CBP plays in ensuring our safety and national security,” explained Jake Tibbles, TILT’s Executive Director. “But with respect to the concerns surrounding Blind Bay, we truly believe there is a path forward for CBP to achieve its goals all while avoiding irreversible impacts to our region. The cumulative environmental consequences of habitat fragmentation, edge encroachment, migration barriers such as perimeter fencing, noise and light pollution, and wetland degradation will have lasting impacts reaching far beyond the boundaries of the facility site being proposed.”

At the end of September, Blind Bay Associates and TILT received a formal notice from US Customs & Border Protection outlining its continued interest in Blind Bay. The notice further stated that within the next 90 days CBP anticipates seeking right of entry to Blind Bay through the US District Court under a Declaration of Taking and Complaint in Condemnation proceeding.

“CBP’s approach is shocking to say the least, especially on the heels of the Town of Alexandria’s Recreation Center proposal and a growing bipartisan push for Border Patrol to find an alternative location,” stated Tibbles. “With available alternatives, there is simply no legitimate reason the River community should accept the siting in Blind Bay. TILT and Save The River staff had the opportunity to tour the new Wellesley Island Port of Entry constructed by Customs & Border Protection. While the Wellesley Island facility supports the necessary field operations and entry processing, this type of facility is in no way shape or form compatible with the Thousand Islands waterfront and if constructed in Blind Bay would result in permanent ecological impacts that could not be mitigated.”

In an effort to draw further attention to this developing issue, earlier this fall, TILT and Save The River unveiled a new Save Blind Bay billboard along Route 12, Town of Orleans. The billboard links to the informative webpage, SaveBlindBay.com. The strong partnership of TILT, Save The River, Thousand Islands Park, Thousand Islands Association and several other organizations and municipalities is dedicated to protecting Blind Bay as an important environmental resource that both supports the local economy and our way of life.

“In today’s world, there are very few issues that gain the attention and support of an entire community. There is no question that the River community is galvanized around its opposition of siting the proposed Border Patrol facility in Blind Bay,” stated Tibbles. “Moving forward, we are committed to protecting Blind Bay and defending it against eminent domain.”

For more information about Blind Bay and how you can help, visit the Save Blind Bay website at SaveBlindBay.com

Teaming up to Clean Up: This Fall, TILT and Save The River joined forces for a shoreline clean up of Blind Bay!

Using kayaks, tall rubber boots, waders, nets, and trash grabbers, TILT and Save The River worked together to remove numerous 5-gallon buckets filled with a variety of garbage from the shoreline.  Several metal pipes, a tire, construction debris, beverage cans, expanded polystyrene fragments, an Adirondack chair, and several single-use plastics were among the removed items.

Muskie fingerlings and fry were even seen in the waters!

TILT and STR will continue essential stewardship efforts to ensure that environmentally significant areas like Blind Bay are protected for present and future generations.

Pictured L to R: Kate Breheny (TILT), Spencer Busler (TILT), Caryn Clements (STR), Jake Tibbles (TILT), Terra Bach (TILT), Chelsea Broughton (STR), Shannon Walter (TILT), Lauren Eggleston (STR)