Blind Bay is an environmental treasure and has open and protected wetland areas. It has served as a long-term aquatic habitat research site monitored by the Thousand Islands Biological Station (TIBS). Blind Bay has been one of the most prolific muskellunge spawning areas in the region and has been monitored since 1990. St. Lawrence River muskellunge have experienced a significant and recent decline due to losses associated with viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Maintenance of high-quality spawning and nursery habitat is critical to ensuring population recovery and sustainability.
Other important fish species at the site are small and largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullhead; 53 fish species have been recorded at this location. In 2021, seining conducted by TIBS captured young-of-year muskellunge, northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, as well as NYS endangered pugnose shiner. Other NYS Species of Concern and Species of Conservation Need in the Blind Bay record include: American eel; blackchin, blacknose, and bridle shiner; Eastern musk turtle, and map turtle.
From the Draft Environmental Assessment for this location.
“INTRODUCTION: United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) that addresses the potential effects, beneficial and adverse, resulting from the proposed construction and operation of a new Border Patrol Station (BPS) in the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Buffalo Sector, Wellesley Island Station Area of Responsibility (AOR), Orleans, New York. The Wellesley Island BPS is one of six stations in the Buffalo Sector and plays an integral role in support of the USBP border security mission as a primary line of defense between the border with Canada and the interior of the U.S. The Wellesley Island Station AOR encompasses 2,569 square miles, including 256 miles of shoreline and 70 miles of international border. The proposed new BPS would be a permanent facility constructed to accommodate existing staff and allow enforcement flexibility up to 75 agents, enable moderate expansion, and would replace the current BPS. The new BPS and associated supporting infrastructure would be designed for continuous operation in support of the Border Patrol Strategic Plan to gain and maintain effective control of U.S. borders. PROJECT LOCATION: The proposed new Wellesley Island BPS would be constructed in the northwestern portion of the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County, New York. The proposed location is an 18.9-acre parcel of undeveloped land along New York State Route 12 (NY-12) with waterfront access to the St. Lawrence River.”
Click here to view the entire draft environmental assessment for this project.
Blind Bay has been one of the most prolific muskellunge spawning areas in the region and has been monitored since 1990. St. Lawrence River muskellunge have experienced a significant and recent decline due to losses associated with viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Maintenance of high quality spawning and nursery habitat is critical to ensuring population recovery and sustainability. Other important fish species at the site are small and largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and bullhead; 53 fish species have been recorded at this location
Riparian vegetation known to protect shorelines in storm events and serve as critical habitat for birds will be cleared. Sensitive birds that use this area will receive frequent disturbance. Bald Eagle, Green Heron, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, and waterfowl species are known to roost and feed in this area. There may be numerous other species impacted including secretive marsh birds. The Thousand Islands and the St. Lawrence River Valley are located in the heart of the Frontenac Arch Wildway, creating an intersection that marks one of the highest levels of biological diversity in North America. Habitat fragmentation, land use changes, and physical barriers, such as high fences, could forever alter the future of this unique landscape.
Instead of flood mitigation and water filtration, there would be increased runoff and detrimental impacts to near-shore water quality. This concern is further compounded by the risks of hazardous soil and water contaminations from on-site fuel storage and parking facilities.
The USCBP facility would not only eliminate the proposed site as natural open space, but it would directly impact the ecosystem services and economic benefits provided by TILT’s adjacent preserve. Siting the CBP facility in a marine residential area will have direct impact on the property values of homes along the mainland waterfront and the many nearby islands, including Wellesley Island. The facility will be directly in the line of sight of Thousand Islands Park and will be lit 365 nights per year. The Blind Bay site is zoned Rural Residential. Thousand Islands Park relies on the town’s zoning to protect it from inappropriate development. And the plan conflicts with the Town of Orleans recently completed Comprehensive Plan and Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
Send a Letter in Opposition to the proposed US CBP Facility in Blind Bay
Use this form to send a copy of our drafted letter of opposition directly to Mr. Petrilla at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
By Brian Dwyer for Spectrum News Originally published 7/26/2023 A recent cleanup day at Blind Bay revealed Tires, dock wood, plastics and even Styrofoam. “A lot of it,” 1000 Islands Land Trust Executive Director Jake Tibbles said. “If it’s not nailed down or......
By Lucy Grindon for NCPR Jul 14, 2023 — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering building a new border facility in the Thousand Islands to replace its current one on Wellesley Island. One candidate location is a place called Blind Bay, about halfway......
Posted by Seaway News Save The River® Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper® (STR) and Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) hosted a meeting for the Save Blind Bay coalition on June 7, 2023. Members of the Save Blind Bay coalition include Antique Boat Museum, Blue Fish......
By: Isabella Colello, Inform NNY June 4, 2023 ORLEANS, N.Y. (WWTI) — Advocates have continued their push to “Save Blind Bay.” Two environmental organizations in the region, the Thousand Islands Land Trust and Save The River joined forces in early June to clean......
https://d1l66zlxaqpl1u.cloudfront.net/wp-gray/20230503/6451d71de055624803119a6e/t_2f94b96b4ca849da90482c105115b2ed_name_file_1920x1080_5400_v4_cropped/file_1280x720-2000-v3_1.mp4 By Chad Charette, Channel 7 May 2, 2023 BLIND BAY, New York (WWNY) – Customs and Border Protection still has its sights set on Blind Bay for the location of a new facility. Meanwhile, local non-profits have concerns and say the feds are not......
https://d1l66zlxaqpl1u.cloudfront.net/wp-gray/20230503/6451d71de055624803119a6e/t_2f94b96b4ca849da90482c105115b2ed_name_file_1920x1080_5400_v4_cropped/file_1280x720-2000-v3_1.mp4 By Chad Charette, Channel 7 May 2, 2023 BLIND BAY, New York (WWNY) – Customs and Border Protection still has its sights set on Blind Bay for the location of a new facility. Meanwhile, local non-profits have concerns and say the feds are not......
By Jonathon Wheeler, Watertown Daily Times April 30, 2023 FISHERS LANDING — United States Customs and Border Control representatives are putting pressure on the Thousand Island Land Trust in order to gain access to Blind Bay, so that they can complete environmental studies on the......
Photo by Chris Murray Photography 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......
By Brian Dwyer, Spectrum News March 16, 2023 Waterfront property has become so desirable that there are very few stretches of undeveloped shoreline left. One of the few remaining undeveloped spots on the St. Lawrence River is Blind Bay, which is now being considered as......
By Keith Dempsey at Brockville Recorder and Times on March 1, 2023 Two organizations dedicated to preserving the Upper St. Lawrence River joined forces with Scouts last week to help migratory birds across the river from Gananoque. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Thousand Islands Land......
Thousand Islands Land Trust
135 John Street
Clayton, NY 13624
315-686-5345
info@tilandtrust.org