Habitat Plan 2 - Onondaga Lake Partnership

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DRAFTSpotted sandpipers use theedge of the lakeshore that haslittle to no vegetation.OtterBald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are much more widely reportedon Onondaga Lake in recent years. They have been recorded perchedin trees on the wooded west shoreline, near the Carousel Center, and atthe open water pockets during the winter months (Purcell, 2006). Arecent article in the Syracuse Post-Standard notes that a group of 12adult and immature (young) bald eagles wintered along the lake (Kirst,2009).The cliffs on the west shore of the lake provide nesting habitat for bankswallows (Riparia riparia), and belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon). Asurvey of the bank swallow colony in 2000 found over 500 bank swallownests (Crumb, 2002). Additional study of the bank swallow colony isongoing as part of the Wastebed 1-8 site investigation.2.4.7 MammalsOnondaga Lake and surrounding lands provide a variety of habitats formammal species. The Onondaga Lake BERA (TAMS, 2002b) lists 45mammalian species that currently occur near Onondaga Lake. Some ofthe more common species include common opossums (Didelphismarsupialis), various shrew species, various rodent species, easternchipmunks (Tamias striatus), various squirrel species, woodchucks(Marmota monax), muskrats, raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks(Mephitis mephitis), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).The shores of Onondaga Lake provide habitat for several mammalspecies. Recovering populations of otter appear to be moving towardthe lake (NYSDEC, 2002; Stiles, 2001). Woodchuck (Marmota monax),muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), and squirrels (e.g., Scirus carolinensis)are regularly observed on the shores of Onondaga Lake. These andother small-mammal species support predators such as mink (Mustelavison), fox (Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote(Canis latrans). The less-disturbed shoreline of the northwest section ofthe lake can provide habitat for more reclusive or larger species, suchPARSONS | Remedial Design Elements for Habitat Restoration 69
DRAFTas beaver (Castor canandensis) and deer (Odocoileus virginianus)(TAMS, 2002b).SYW-6 and SYW-10, located on the west side of the lake betweenNinemile Creek and the lake outlet, are dominated by floodplain forestand emergent wetlands, which could support insectivorous mammalssuch as the short-tailed shrew and little brown bat. Mink may alsooccupy these wetland habitats and the nearby streams and lake. Theyprefer wetland and riparian habitat with irregular shorelines, good cover,(i.e. woods and shrub), and suitable den sites. These species couldalso occupy upland regions surrounding the lake, such as the dredgespoils areas adjacent to the northwestern lakeshore (TAMS, 2002b).Littoral areas have the potential to support mammalian species thatforage within the inshore zone of the lake and are dependent uponindigenous aquatic organisms as their primary food source, such asmink and river otter. The Onondaga Lake shoreline is consideredadequate to support a small river otter population (TAMS, 2002b).The Danforth Salt Pool was a populartourist attraction during the resortheyday of Onondaga Lake.2.4.8 Endangered, Threatened and RareSpecies/HabitatsSeveral sources of information were used to identify endangered,threatened, and rare plant and animal species. Federally listed speciesknown from Onondaga County were obtained from the USFWS website(http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/ColistCurrent.pdf). State-listedspecies were provided by The New York Natural Heritage Program(NYNHP) provided information on state-listed species in the vicinity ofOnondaga Lake.Rare CommunitiesInland salt marshes were formerly known to be at various locationsaround the southern half of the lake. The NYNHP indicates knownrecords of this rare habitat, but currently only remnants of this habitatremain in this area. Danforth’s pool, an inland salt pond (althoughseverely degraded), still exists along the Onondaga Lake Parkway nearthe southeastern corner of the lake. A few listed plant species are stillknown from this pool and the ditches and other wetlands fromDanforth’s pool north to the railroad bridge.PlantsTable 2.4 lists those species reported by the NYNHP as endangered,threatened, or rare with records for Onondaga County. The original(2002) response from the NYNHP lists three plant species of historicrecord for the area: Sartwell’s sedge, little-leaf tick-trefoil, and redpigweed. Young (2000) reports salt marsh aster (Aster subulatus, nowSymphyotrichum subulatum) and seaside bulrush (Scirpus maritimis,now Bolboschoenus maritimis ssp. paludosus) from the southeasternportion of the lake. Two state-listed aquatic plants were reported by theCounty surveys— southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis) and pondweed(Potamogeton strictifolius). The most recent (2009) response from thePARSONS | Remedial Design Elements for Habitat Restoration 70
Page 1 and 2: DRAFTA great blue heron preys on am
Page 3 and 4: DRAFTTransient cold waterfish, such
Page 5 and 6: DRAFTthe construction of the Willis
Page 7 and 8: DRAFTIndustrial discharges resultin
Page 9 and 10: DRAFTOnondaga Lake Parkway is a pop
Page 11 and 12: DRAFTfacilities remove floating deb
Page 13 and 14: DRAFT(NAVD 1988). NAVD 1988 is the
Page 15 and 16: DRAFTwaste in Remediation Area B an
Page 17 and 18: DRAFTLake sturgeon currently exist
Page 19 and 20: DRAFT1978, USFWS, 2009). The water
Page 21 and 22: DRAFTLey Creek and adjacent Wetland
Page 23 and 24: DRAFTSYW-10 is forested wetland loc
Page 25 and 26: DRAFTWastebeds 1-8 site located adj
Page 27 and 28: DRAFTWhite oak foliageforested area
Page 29 and 30: DRAFTinvestigation in 1998 and 2000
Page 31 and 32: DRAFTHarbor Brook flows into Ononda
Page 33 and 34: DRAFTTributary 5A flows into Ononda
Page 35 and 36: DRAFTof flower parts precluded defi
Page 37 and 38: DRAFTMonitoring Data Assessment Rep
Page 39 and 40: DRAFTSmallmouth Bass is a popular g
Page 41: DRAFTRed-winged blackbirds live on
Page 45 and 46: DRAFTBald eagles have become common
Page 47 and 48: ONONDAGA LAKEREMEDIAL DESIGN ELEMEN
Page 49 and 50: HoneywellTABLE 2.2ONONDAGA LAKE ELE
Page 51 and 52: Original Shoreline of Onondaga Lake
Page 53 and 54: PUBFxPSS1A PSS1APFO1APFO1EPFO1ER2UB
Page 56: Remediation Area FLiverpoolMarinaSM

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