CLAYTON, N.Y. -- Ice clearing activities are underway on the St. Lawrence Seaway. This year the Martha Black is scheduled to make its way through the St. Lawrence River on Wednesday or Thursday. The Seaway opens Saturday. But is it too early?
Save the River Executive Director Jennifer Caddick said yes. She said in some areas there is still up to 14 inches of ice.
"Save the River is very concerned about shipping on ice conditions. As you can see we have heavy ice on the river all the way across this time of year," said Caddick.
According to the Seaway Corporations Administrator, this is the right time to open.
"We look at the current projected ice and weather conditions. We look at our winter infrastructure maintenance schedule, which is when we do the primary repair on the locks, and other infrastructure and we look at industry demand and ice breaking resources. We take all those into consideration and then we consult with our Canadian partner," said Collister Johnson Jr., administrator of St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.
The 2008 shipping season gets underway this weekend. But is it too early to open the river? One environmental group and the Seaway Corporation are at odds over the issue. As our Amy Ohler reports, it's an ongoing disagreement that may never be resolved.
When the seaway opens this weekend it will be the second earliest opening. Last year was the earliest date when it opened on March 21st. According to the group Save the River, each year the Seaway opens earlier and earlier it poses risks to the environment and surrounding communities.
"The first is the risk to the actual ecosystem from the movement of the ice breaker and ships passing through while there's still ice on the river. That movement can scour the shoreline and cause serious damage to some of the most sensitive parts of the river ecosystem. The second concern we have is that if there's a major ship accident or spill there is no way to clean up an oil spill or any kind of spill in ice conditions, you'd have to wait for the ice to melt," said Caddick.
The Seaway Corporation said when the river opens this weekend there will be conditions set, including how fast ships can travel, the weight of their cargo, and whether or not they can travel in certain weather conditions.
Ice fishers and snowmobilers are strongly advised to remain well clear of the icebreaker's track as it makes its way along the river this week.