JUNE 2007 update:

At more than 170 miles, the Raquette River is New York State’s second longest river, but few visitors to New York’s North Country can truly appreciate the central role the river corridor has played in the region’s history, culture and economy.  Even experienced paddlers and sportsmen are apt to view the corridor in only small sections, suitable for a day of fishing, overnight camping, canoeing or whitewater rafting.  

Those perceptions may soon be changing, thanks to the efforts of volunteers and stakeholders who participated in a year-long effort to gather the input of those who use and value the river, collect information about the corridor’s many diverse assets, and evaluate the corridor’s strengths and weaknesses and identify new opportunities for public access and community revitalization.  

Community visioning sessions were held in different parts of the river corridor and the public input was used to develop a consensus vision for the future of the river corridor and to establish broad goals and strategies that will be used to achieve that vision. These efforts are outlined in the draft report, Raquette River Corridor Strategy for Revitalization; which is now available for public review and comment.

The Raquette River Corridor Strategy for Revitalization outlined seven broad objectives to be used to help chart the future of the Raquette River corridor. They include: connect river stakeholders as meaningful partners in revitalization efforts; support appropriate development that improves access and usage of river; balance economic development and resource protection; provide a comprehensive user-friendly ‘roadmap’ to the corridor; develop and promote a corridor-wide “identity” and “brand”; work with schools on programs relating to river’s history and environment; and better link the corridor to the economies of Raquette River communities.

“One of the most important aspects of this process is that it connects the communities along the river corridor in ways that have not been explored before,” noted Joann Ferris of South Colton, chair of the Revitalization Strategy Advisory Committee. “This process also helped the committee to gain a better understanding of the waterfront and its assets, as well providing an important connection to people and resources that will play an important role in future revitalization efforts.”

Financial support for the project was provided to the Town of Colton on behalf of all of the riverfront communities by the NYS Department of State’s Division of Coastal Resources through the Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. 

The public is invited to submit comments on the draft report.  The report is available in town and village halls of riverfront communities and online at:  http://www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/centers/tac/racquetteriver.php; http://www.vi.potsdam.ny.us/; http://rrcp.angelfire.com, or http://www.racquetteriver.org/.  Copies of the report may also be requested by calling 518-564-3215 or via e-mail at murphyja@plattsburgh.edu.  Comments on the draft plan should be submitted to Jim Murphy, Economic Development Specialist, Technical Assistance Center at SUNY Plattsburgh, 101 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 (e-mail murphyja@plattsburgh.edu) by July 15, 2007.