1st Phase Of Bay Restoration Near Rochester Is Complete

GREECE, N.Y. (AP) — The first phase of a $9.5 million bay restoration project on Lake Ontario is complete.

Crews have restored 340 acres of wetlands habitat and removed invasive plants to address environmental concerns at Braddock Bay near Rochester.

The second phase will include dredging the boat channel and constructing a barrier to protect the bay from future damage. It's set to be completed by the end of the calendar year. Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and other storms over the past five decades destroyed a large section of the barrier beach that used to separate the bay from Lake Ontario.

The Town of Greece also is moving forward with plans for a $1.7 million renovation of its marina at Braddock Bay.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer secured the federal funds for the restoration.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]