Syracuse.com - Update on the 'unofficial boat launch' on Onondaga Lake in Solvay

[HuntingNY-News]

The only other launch site on the lake is the county-owned marina at Onondaga Lake Park on the northern shore in the village of Liverpool. It carries a $7.50 launch fee. Fairmont resident Mike Morgan wrote me recently, inquiring about the status of the unofficial boat launch on Onondaga Lake, just off Route 690 West in Solvay. The property, near the New York State Fairgrounds, is owned by the state Department of Transportation.Morgan said Honeywell workers are busily working at the site, setting up a crane and other equipment to dredge the lake as part of the company’s overall cleanup project.“Usually during the day (the launch) is blocked by machinery and materials. Sometimes at night they leave room to use the launch, but other times the dredge is blocking the path to the lake or material is blocking the launch,” he said.The only other launch site on the lake is the county-owned marina at Onondaga Lake Park on the northern shore in the village of Liverpool. It carries a $7.50 launch fee.Late last week, the Solvay boat launch was not open.“Access to the boat launch on DOT property will be open, except for times when the site is needed for lake cleanup operations and when necessary to restrict access to maintain public safety,” said Victoria Steitfeld, spokeswoman for Honeywell.There is a silver lining.The dredging project is expected to last four years, Steitfeld said. Once finished, Honeywell has committed to building a new, two-bay boat launch for trailered boats and a separate launch site for car-top craft (canoes, kayaks) at the location. It will be turned over to the state Department of Environmental Conservation to run.Plans also call for 60 parking spaces and a handicapped fishing ramp stretching into the lake.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog