Date: 2/28/26 8:20 am From: Shaun Brown <sbrown5957...> Subject: [cayugabirds-l] Conservation Alert - NYSEG FLAIR Project Impacts & Missing Eagle Data
Dear Cayuga Bird Club Community, I am writing regarding the NYSEG FLAIR Project, a 21-mile transmission rebuild and uprate from the Towns of Montour to Ithaca currently before the NYS Public Service Commission (PSC). The project’s Exhibit 4 (Environmental Impacts) completely omits eagles from its bird list. This is a significant oversight, as eagles have been frequenting near Robert H. Treman State Park and Tapan Mitra Preserve. I have documented a Bald Eagle perched on the transmission line in 2018 bordering Treman, and I know others have observed eagles in this area since then. Project Overview:For those unaware, the NYSEG FLAIR project proposes replacing the existing 50-foot wooden H-frames with 100-foot steel monopoles. Structures will now rise above the tree canopy in many areas for the first time. The proposed 100-foot height is largely due to NYSEG using an old school conductor that sags significantly (exceeding 30 feet) when hot. Modern High-Temperature Low-Sag conductors would allow for the same power capacity with shorter pole heights, yet NYSEG has not evaluated this option. Impacted Areas:This transmission line traverses the following parcels of the Emerald Necklace: the northern most part of Connecticut Hill WMA, Tapan Mitra Preserve, Thayer Preserve, the southern most tip of Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Havana Glen Park. Impacted trails include the Finger Lakes Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail and the Odessa-Hector Rail Trail. How You Can Help:To ensure the PSC has an accurate environmental record, I am calling on your local expertise. If you have recent sightings of eagles in the impacted areas or if you have other concerns, please consider filing a public comment by March 26, 2026. Sincerely,Shaun BrownIthaca, NY-- Cayugabirds-L List Info: Visit: http://LISTS.cornell.edu for more information Posting Address: <Cayugabirds-L...> Archives: The Mail Archive: //www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html" class="hft-urls">https://www.mail-archive.com/<cayugabirds-l...>/maillist.html Sightings: Please submit your observations to eBird at http://www.ebird.org. --
