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LeBoeuf or Follensby Bridge, Take Your Raquette River Back
If you're familiar with this issue and just want 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 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, it became more so when it was
rebuilt in the late 70's following major damage resulting from a
trucking accident. For some unknown reason the property owner decided to rebuild the bridge to a height even lower than it had
been for decades, further restricting navigation. 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 divides this system in half!
Here's how the bridge has looked since 1978!
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 handicapped 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 useless. The only hope at this point is a helicoptor or hiking through the woods.
Although open to interpretation, it appears clear that Le Boeuf 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
No bridge shall at any time unreasonably obstruct the free navigation of any navigable waters of the United States.
Source: (June 21, 1940, ch. 409, Sec. 2, 54 Stat. 498.)
The New York State Department of Transportation builds its bridges
at least twenty-four inches above the 100 year high water mark. According to this criteria the bridge is at least twenty-four inches too low.
New York State officially claims to have no jurisdiction over this bridge despite the fact that the owner needed state permission to build the bridge. New York State agencies have the authority to rectify this situation. They are not even convinced that it is an issue. They question how many people actually use the river and how many consider the bridge to be a problem.
In addition to voting here if you'd like to tell them in person you can call 1-518-897-1211 and ask to speak with: DEC Region 5 Attorney: Chris Lacombe or DEC Region 5 Director: Stuart Buchanan. They are both familiar with this issue.
This petition effort has generated a fair amount of interest recently and new allegations are coming to light. It is unclear now as to why the bridge is so low and has survived so many years as such. There seems to be some disagreement as to how much responsibility lies with the owner and how much lies with New York State. Regardless, we feel that thousands of citizens have been deprived of their right to enjoy this natural system of
lakes and rivers that is our heritage.
Click Here to see what others have written concerning this bridge.
Click Here to hear a story concerning this bridge broadcast on WNBZ radio on July 19 and 20, 2005.
If you're interested in expressing an opinion regarding this, please
complete the following form to the extent you feel comfortable. Do not
enter any personal information you would prefer to keep private. There
are no cookies or other methods being used on this site to identify you
and any personal information you submit other than your name and your
opinion will be kept confidential.
Please forward this form to anyone who may have an interest in the
unobstructed navigation of this beautiful stretch of the Raquette river.
This Survey Is Endorsed By:
Adirondack Action Sports: Tupper Lake, NY
Big Tupper Lake Marina: Tupper Lake, NY
Blue Jay Campsites: Tupper Lake, NY
Eric's Small Engine Repair: Tupper Lake, NY
Gillis Realty: Tupper Lake, NY
Rule's Hardware and Marine: Tupper Lake, NY
Teaching with Innovation: Thomasville, NC
Trail's End: Tupper Lake, NY
-Tupper Lake Access: Tupper Lake, NY
Tupper Lake Rescue Squad, Dive Team: Tupper Lake, NY
Tupper Lake Rod and Gun Club: Tupper Lake, NY
If you would like to be more involved than voting then get your organization or business listed above amongst the supporters of this petition by Emailing Us Here at info@BridgeBeGone.Org or Click Here to print out our Bridge Be Gone Wanted Poster to display in your window.
We are about to launch a classic paper petition drive. If you would like to help by carrying a petition then Please Email Us Here at info@BridgeBeGone.Org or call 1-518-572-6092 or 1-518-359-3340. We particularly need people to carry petition's on Route 30 between Tupper Lake and Long Lake, Simond Pond Road, Moody Road, Raquette River Drive, Stetson Road and Associated Neighborhoods, Hosley Avenue, Route 3/30 towards Saranac Lake and River Road.
Watch for Bridge Be Gone coverage on WNBZ and other local radio stations on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19 and 20 and in the Wednesday, July 20 Tupper Lake Free Press.
Useful Links:
River Facts and Fiction
River Law Project by the National Organization for Rivers (NORS)
Obstruction of Navigation
:
Canoe Stabilizer
Adaptive paddling aids
THE BALLOT