[an error occurred while processing this directive] Visits since July 6, 2005!
July 19, 2006 marked the 26TH anniversary of the death of fourteen year old Teddy Borbeau who was killed when he struck this bridge while riding in a boat. We understand that terms as part of a settlement in the resulting trial to rectify the danger of this bridge have never been implemented by the owner or his agents. The bridge is as dangerous today as it was in 1980 with no warnings or danger markings of any kind. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation maintains that the owner has no responsibility, in this regard for the safety of the public traveling on this "Scenic and Recreational" classified and publicly owned river.
With the new administration we look forward to working with Governor Eliot Spitzer, DEC Director Alexander Peter Grannis and Region 5 Director Betsy Lowe on this situation.
If you're familiar with this issue and would just like to register your opinion then skip directly to THE BALLOT.
LeBoeuf Bridge, known to some as Follensby Bridge, near Tupper Lake has
spanned the Raquette River for more than 100 years. It is privately owned and connects one of the owners parcels of twenty or so acres to another of the owners parcels of fourteen thousand acres across the river where logging has been going on continuously for decades. There is potential alternate access to the large parcel but this bridge provides the most convenient access to the owner being directly adjacent to the village of Tupper Lake and state highways. The bridge is used to transport logs out from the larger parcel. The bridge serves the economic benefit of one person. While it has always
been a deterrent to river navigation, most believe that it became more so when it was
rebuilt sometime during the past fifty or so years. For most of the year the clearance under the bridge barely even allows canoes, kayaks and the
like to pass freely. During spring runoff and the other frequent high water periods
(see photos) the bridge effectively cuts off eighteen miles of New York State
Recreational and Scenic River to people approaching the bridge from the downstream
side and the entire Tupper Lake water system to those approaching the
bridge from the upstream side. It virtually isolates Tupper Lake from the Natural History Museum, the Crusher, River Road and points upstream to Raquette Falls.
Here's a map showing the Raquette River System between Raquette Falls and Setting Pole Dam. The bridge is adjacent to the proposed Michael Foxman and Preserve Associates Big Tupper Club and Resort and divides this system in half!
Here's how the bridge has looked since at least 1978! This water level is abnormally high but this is a recent photo and depicts the physical structure accurately.
Here's how the bridge looked on July 8, 2006. Do you think this might be dangerous? Shouldn't the owner keep it clear?
Here's one version of the bridge before it was rebuilt in 1978!
While the recently rebuilt New York State boat launch on Big Tupper Lake provides access to anyone who may want to board a canoe, kayak or any other watercraft, the bridge blocks access to eighteen miles of Recreational and Scenic River to these individuals for most of the year.
This bridge is a hazard to boaters. It is easy for a boat to get stuck underneath or damaged, contributing to the potential for personal injury.
On July 19, 1980, fourteen year old Teddy Borbeau was killed when he struck the bridge while properly seated in a boat passing underneath.
If there is a medical emergency up river there is not much probability of a rapid response. There is no usable boat launch between the bridge and Raquette Falls save possibly River Road. The run down Crusher Boat Launch Site is almost useless.
Although open to interpretation, it appears clear that LeBoeuf Bridge is in violation of United States code:
TITLE 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS CHAPTER 11 - BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS SUBCHAPTER II - ALTERATION OF BRIDGES.
Sec. 512. Obstruction of navigation
Several businesses and organizations have endorsed our survey and were previously listed on this page. Most of these businesses have been listed here for several months. This past Fall we were notified by two of these organizations that their members were being intimidated and they asked that their names be removed until they had time to discuss the issue with their members. The intimidation came in the form of a notice posted on the Follensby Park property (to Follensby Park tenants) that members of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad Dive Team and the Tupper Lake Rod and Gun Club members are no longer allowed to use LeBoeuf Bridge, or the road, to access their hunting camp Lease. We immediately removed their names and, as a courtesy to others, removed the entire list until further notice.
This survey is here to provide an opportunity to anyone interested in voicing their opinion on LeBoeuf Bridge. We will re-list, with their permission, any and all businesses who endorse this survey and refuse to be intimidated.
If anyone would care to offer a legal opinion on this matter, we welcome your input..
If you would like to have your organization listed here as a supporter of this effort, please email us here.
Click Here to print out our Bridge Be Gone Wanted Poster to display in your window.
We have launched a classic paper petition drive. If you would like to help by carrying a petition or keep one in your place of business where the public can get to it then Please Email Us Here at info@BridgeBeGone.Org or call 1-518-572-6092 or 1-518-359-3340.