Bluebirds
The Eastern Bluebird has been the Official
Bird of New York since 1970. In 2000, the
Authority started installing bluebird houses
at appropriate locations along its right-of-way.
In some areas, bluebird houses are used
to delineate the locations of wildflower
plantings. The Authority initiated this
program to help in the resurgence of New
York's Bluebird population.
Falcon Program
Since the late 1980s, the Thruway Authority
has had falcon-nesting boxes located on
the main trusses of four major bridges along
the Thruway System. These bridges include
the Castleton Bridge spanning the Hudson
River south of Albany; the North/South Grand
Island Bridges spanning the Niagara River
near Niagara Falls, and two on the Governor
Malcolm E. Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge carrying
the Thruway's mainline across the Hudson
River, about 13 miles north of New York
City.
The bridges provide the falcons with a high
perch, while the falcons are very effective
at keeping pigeons away from the bridge. Pigeon
droppings are detrimental to the paint, and
consequently, the steel on bridges. Since
the program's inception, the number of pigeons
nesting on bridges has dramatically decreased.
Invasive Species
According to the Federal Highway Administration, “Each
year approximately $23 billion nationwide
is lost to invasive plant impacts to agriculture,
industry, recreation, and the environment.
An estimated 4,600 acres of land are invaded
daily by invasive plants.”
The control of invasive species is of paramount
concern in New York. In 2003, then Governor
George E. Pataki signed into law the NYS Invasive Species Task
Force. The seventeen member Task Force was charged with developing an assessment for presentation to then Governor Pataki. The Task Force held their first meeting in May of 2004. The Task force delivered their recommendation in a report to the Governor in November 2005. For more information on the Task Force and a copy of the Final Report visit: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/habitat/istf/istf.html
The Authority/Corporation has conducted preliminary
inventories of purple loosestrife along Authority
right-of-way, and developed guidance related
to control of invasive species and continues
to develop methods for control. In fall 2004,
the Authority initiated an effort with their
maintenance employees to identify and inventory
4 critical invasive species along it’s
highway rights of way. The species inventoried
include; Purple loosestrife, giant hog weed,
phragmites and Japanese knotweed. The Canal
Corporation undertook a similar effort and
is inventorying Water Chestnuts and Zebra
Mussels in addition. The inventory is currently
underway and once completed, it will be entered
into a database for use in GIS (geographic
information systems). The inventory will assist
the NYSTA/CC in developing future management
activities related to invasive species.
In addition, the Authority is working with
the NYSDOT to identify potential for coordinating
resources related to the management and monitoring
of invasive species.
Living Snow Fence Program
The Thruway Authority’s Buffalo Division, in collaboration with the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, completed the first installation of its Living Snow Fence Program in July 2006. Under this program, two living snow fences were planted within the right-of-way along I-190 at the Staley and Long Road Exits (18A & 20) in the Town of Grand Island, Erie County.
Prior to installation, the Buffalo Division conducted an assessment for problematic locations for the blowing and drifting of snow, which causes reduced visibility, icing of the roadway, and increased snow removal efforts. Living snow fences consist of densely planted willow species that are specifically designed to control blowing snow. The living snow fences will trap some of the snow behind the line of willows and the rest of the blowing snow will be deposited before reaching the highway’s surface.
The Niagara Maintenance Section, with assistance from the Division’s Environmental Specialist, will conduct necessary maintenance activities and monitor the progress of the willow shrubs throughout the 2007 growing season. It is anticipated that the living snow fences will be fully functional by the winter of 2009.
SHORELINE STABILIZATION PROJECT
The Black Rock Canal/Lake Erie revetment project was identified as an excellent opportunity for environmental stewardship to protect 300 feet of eroding shoreline from the forces of wave action and ice scouring. This project is located in close proximity to a stormwater drainage outfall from the I-190 in the City of Buffalo.
The project involved the stabilization of 300 feet of eroded shoreline with the placement of heavy stone fill or rip-rap. The shoreleine stabilization will prevent further erosion, thus protecting and facilitating the natural restoration of valuble spawning and nursery habitat for a variety of warm water fish species and aquatic invertebrates. The project was a joint venture between the New York State Thruway Authority Buffalo Division and the State University of New York, College a Buffalo, and was completed in September of 2006.
Wildflowers
The New York State Thruway Authority's Wildflower
Program was implemented in 2000 to improve
the visual aesthetics of the Thruway System,
save on maintenance costs by reducing the
amount of grass to mow, and make travel
along the roadway more enjoyable. Traditionally,
only grass had been planted and maintained
along the 641 mile Thruway System. The Wildflower
Program selected a variety of locations
in the Thruway medial across the system.
Different wildflower species were planted
in each location and monitored for a variety
of factors including growth rate, weed growth
and aesthetic value.
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