Woodlots, Steep Slopes and Erosion

Land in the well field area adjacent to Irondequoit Bay is heavily wooded with dense underbrush in many areas. Some of these areas are designated woodlots (from approximately the area of the Monroe County Water Tank to the gully north and west of the former waterworks buildings) and have a higher threshold of protection.22 The site also possesses the ancient Lake Iroquois shoreline. Its bluff provides a viewing distance of greater than five miles to the west. Furthermore, most of the land exists along designated steep slopes.23 Of particular attention is a deep gorge that exists west and north of the main well-field buildings.

The shoreline is also in a high coastal erosion area. “Natural protective features (beaches, dunes and bluffs) within coastal erosion hazard areas provide buffering and protection to shorelands from erosion by absorbing the wave energy of open water. Dunes and bluffs are especially effective against storm-induced high water. They are also reservoirs of sand and gravel for beaches and offshore sandbar and shoal formations.” Both human and natural actions can cause significant damage to the coastline along Irondequoit Bay. Human actions such as construction and boating can increase shoreline erosion.24 Irondequoit Bay is adjacent to the Rochester Embayment Area of Concern (AOC).25