Wilmington Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

2005 – 2006

  SUMMARY

What is the Wilmington Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP)?

We will work together with a committee of citizens and local government to create a waterfront revitalization plan that will serve as a long term management program for the town’s waterfront resources.  These include the 10 mile stretch of the West Branch of the Au Sable River within the Town’s boundaries and the 200-acre Lake Everest , which is heavily sediment-laden.  The plan will help the Town to guide resource protection, enhanced recreational opportunities and public access, tourism-based economic development, growth management, reduction of nonpoint source pollution, hamlet revitalization, and protection of community character, for the short and long term.

How did we get to our present waterfront challenges and opportunities?

- 2001 Community planning work
- 2003 Dam repairs
- 2003-2004 Water contamination and subsequent improvements
- Over time:  sedimentation of Lake Everest
- Financial and time contributions from Town, County and State
- Advice of other communities:  Saranac Lake , Wells/Lake Algonquin, etc.
- July 2005 request for proposals, September 2005 selection of Adirondack Sustainable Communities, Inc., based in Wilmington

 What’s in it for Wilmington ?

- Stronger local control over county, state and other interests
- Access to additional sources of funds for projects to improve the community’s quality of life
- Good information and lots of community input for decision-making in the short and long-term

 What’s the general process?

- November-December 2005:  Form a Waterfront Advisory Committee – representing various interests, goals and sources of support.  The Committee will establish a public participation plan and advise all along the way. {PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN and CONTACTS PAGE]
- January – April:  Consult with the Community – in-depth meetings and interviews from beginning to end to obtain ideas and priorities of local residents and keep the community updated and involved.  [DOCUMENTS] 
- November – April:  Establish the Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary – maps and descriptions of the area boundary: 
1.  the watershed affecting and affected by Wilmington’s waterfront and
2.  the specific in-Town waterfront target area 
- November – March:  Inventory and Analyze Resources and Conditions – collect information on current land and water use patterns, public access, infrastructure, historical resources, recreational use, dredging and other issues.  {DRAFT MAPS]
- March – June:  Draft the LWRP - Town priorities for local waterfront revitalization – plans for short and long-term projects that reflect community concerns and options.
- June – August:  Adopt Town policies – Establish policies to reflect the priorities of the community.  These provide power over external processes in future.
- August – October:  Write Final LWRP – Include comments from a variety of interests in final document for local and state approval.
- Spring 2006, 2007, etc.:  Apply for funding of proposed projects.