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June 2007
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Collecting solids at Syracuse's Inner Harbor
Began June 2002 and continues
If streams were avenues, Onondaga Creek would be the
Main Street of Syracuse. It flows through dense
neighborhoods and downtown's Armory Square and
Franklin Square, ending at the Inner Harbor. It picks
up and deposits trash that is blown in and that flows
in from sewersat the estimated rate of nearly
two tons each month.
The trash that Onondaga Creek carries to the Inner Harbor
contributes pollution to Onondaga Lake, and it is unsightly.
It can also be harmful to watercraft and affect fish,
birds, and other wildlife in the creek.
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Efficient collection of floatables
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For nearly two decades, the Syracuse Inner Harbor has
been the focus of interest for intense commercial and
residential development. Onondaga County's objective is to
keep a substantial volume of the floatables carried to
the Inner Harbor by Onondaga Creek from entering Onondaga Lake and
to improve the aesthetics of the harbor area.
Onondaga County studied alternative solutions to removing
the debris from Onondaga Creek. First efforts focused on a
boom structure that would prevent debris from reaching
Onondaga Lake from the Creek. This approach proved
infeasible.
Next, the County commissioned a specially equipped
boat to collect floatables from the Inner Harbor. This
boat skims the water in the Inner Harbor and every
year since 2002 has removed several tons of debris.
Onondaga County has also implemented an education program to communicate to residents
the importance of keeping debris out of storm sewers
so that the debris won't reach Onondaga Creek.
The Inner Harbor of Syracuse is now cleaner and more
welcoming for the thousands of people who use the
areahelping to promote future development. And, the
pollution load on Onondaga Lake has been visibly reduced.
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