Tioughnioga River

Draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program

A draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) has been completed for Cortland County municipalities along the Tioughnioga River, including: the City of Cortland; towns of Cortlandville, Cuyler, Homer, Lapeer, Marathon, Preble, and Virgil; and the villages of Homer, Marathon, and McGraw.

The LWRP serves as a long-term management program for the communities’ waterfront resources, and focuses on strengthening downtowns, establishing a pedestrian trail and blueway trail, and protecting natural resources.  The LWRP refines State policies commensurate with local circumstances, identifies long-term uses and short term projects to be accommodated within the waterfront area, and includes an implementation strategy which describes what the communities can do on their own to implement the policies and purposes of the program, and assistance needed from the State.

The draft LWRP was prepared with financial and technical assistance from the Department of State, and in accordance with the requirements of Executive Law, Article 42 – Waterfront Revitalization of Coastal Areas and Inland Waterways Act.

Note: The document and maps can be accessed by clicking on the LWRP Document and Map Gallery links on the left.

The LWRP is comprised of the following sections:

Section I - Waterfront Revitalization Area Boundary, which provides a narrative and graphic description of the waterfront revitalization area and boundary.

Section II - Inventory and Analysis, which describes existing resources within the waterfront area, key issues affecting the waterfront, and an analysis of opportunities and constraints to future development.

Section III - Waterfront Revitalization Policies, which refine established State policies comensurate with local circumstances, and which include guidelines for achieving consistency with the policy.   The policies address overall development patterns, economic develop, the provision of public access opportunities, protection of cultural resources, managing flooding hazards, and protecting natural resources.

Section IV - Proposed Projects, which describes projects needed to implement the policies and purposes of the LWRP.

Section V - Local Implementation Techniques, which describes local laws, authorities, and actions needed to implement the policies and purposes of the LWRP.

Section VI - State Action and Programs Likely to Affect Implementation of the LWRP, which provides a listing of State programs to be undertaken in a manner consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with the LWRP, upon its approval by the New York Secretary of State, as well as State programs specifically needed to implement the policies and purposes of the LWRP.

Section VII - Local Commitment and Consultation, which describes the public outreach undertaken by the communities, as well as consultation with potentially affected local and State agencies.

Appendix A - Waterfront Consistency Law

Appendix B - River Corridor Assessment Form

Appendix C - Site Plan Review Laws

Appendix D - Public Water Supplies