St. Lawrence New Whitewater Park Project

St. Lawrence County is located in the northern part of New York State, on the outskirts of the Adirondacks Park. Although it's not directly in the park, the controversy regarding this topic can often be seen in the park too. Using the land and the rivers has generated jobs in this region for hundreds of years. Currently, in St. Lawrence County, there is a proposal for the creation of a whitewater kayak park on the Grasse and Raquette rivers, in hopes of boosting the economy. As people attempt to weigh the benefits on the local economy and the potentially negative impact on the environment, this proposal has sparked a controversial debate.

Whitewater paddler in Potsdam, NY.
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/30966/20160212/could-a-whitewater-park-lift-all-boats-in-st-lawrence-county

            Creating a world-class, whitewater kayak park will have a huge impact on the local economy of the St. Lawrence County region. The project will produce a controlled release from the Colton dam and will provide ideal conditions for the annual white water paddlers at Stone Valley. Scott Shipley, a former Olympic kayaker and engineer for the project, estimated that the whitewater park could bring up to $3.4 million in tourist spending every year. With the park you’ll get festivals, competitions, and build the local brand of being an outdoor and whitewater destination, where people well choose to go vacation at. There will be tourism money brought in from kayakers and those traveling to watch participants in the competitions.

            Despite the economic benefits, it’s important to take into consideration the environmental impact. The proposed project involves building brand-new whitewater attractions in Canton and Potsdam. The project will alter the flow of river by carving out bedrock and moving boulders. It will add boat launches, trails, and parking lots to the surrounding regions. All of these actions will impact the local ecosystems.

The struggle to balance the economic benefits and environmental impacts is constantly occurring in the Adirondacks. Locals living in the park often struggle financially, work multiple jobs, and rely on the summer tourism to bring money into the park. However, tourism can come at an environmental cost to the park. It is difficult to determine what is right and what is wrong, as the lines are often blurred.

Sources: 

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/30966/20160212/could-a-whitewater-park-lift-all-boats-in-st-lawrence-county

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/dco/canton-residents-hear-possiblities-of-st-lawrence-whitewater-park-project-20160210