BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Concerns regarding algae growth in the Deer River, North Lawrence, have prompted the Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate.

“DEC is actively investigating this growth in the Deer River within and downstream of the hamlet of North Lawrence. DEC staff have responded to numerous inquiries regarding odors, algae growth, and an apparent algae or fungal growth in the Deer River within and downstream of the hamlet of North Lawrence. Growth of algae, fungi and other aquatic organisms can be affected by different factors such as changes in temperature and water quality, and DEC staff are working to identify the cause of the issue and potential corrective measures,”  DEC officials said in an official statement.

St. Lawrence County Legislator John Gennett, who represents the Brasher and North Lawrence area, said he has had numerous constituents come to him about the water quality and the impact on aquatic life in recent weeks.

"If you want to see some hairy rocks, come to the Deer River," he said at the legislature’s May 6 full board meeting.

Gennett brought a sample of the murky water from the Deer River to the meeting and sent an email to his fellow legislators regarding attempts to reach DEC officials.

"There are no fish left in the Deer River, nothing," he said.

Is it whey?

Based on conversations with locals and his own investigation, he believes the the cause of the problem is the whey byproduct being discharged from the North Country Dairy facility.

 At this time there has been no solid evidence to prove that theory. According to Gennett,  Nichelle Swisher of Lewis County Soil & Water suggested the substance might be didymosphenia geminata, an invasive algae commonly referred to as “rock snot,” but he’s not convinced based on what he’s seen and heard.

At a recent county meeting Gennet said that the source was "not hard to track" and that you could "literally see it looking down over the bridge."

Gennett said the byproduct collects on rocks and debris leading to further buildup.

"The whey keeps collecting and gets systematically worse," he said.

Gennett said neighbors have told him that the byproduct has continually worked its way down the river, extending over 10 miles in two years.

“If it wasn't snaking around, the next branch would be the St. Regis River...then straight to the St. Lawrence," he said.

Neighbors have told Gennett that the dumping continues to worsen every year and are now questioning if the facility may be exceeding the permitted amount. That prompted Gennet to contact the DEC to seek further investigation.

"We have a big collection of citizens in North Lawrence who are ready to storm the gates at the beginning of next month if we don't do something. This will save us a lot of public interaction next month," Gennett said.

Gennett said he and other residents in the area are concerned about the long term and far stretching effects of the byproduct in the water way.

"How far does it have to go? Eventually we're going to have to dredge it to remove everything," Gennett said. "It's only a matter of time before it affects everything else," he said.

Gennett clarified further that his reference to loss of aquatic life goes far beyond just fish.

"There are no frogs, no turtles, nothing in that area. You can watch it just keep piling up. Everyone who lives on that river has seen it," he said.

DEC testing?

Gennett said he emailed DEC Region 6 Regional Director Randall Young on April 2, with a follow up on April 11, both of which failed to garner a response until May 7, the day after Gennett brought the situation to light during the legislature's full board meeting.

In the email, Young confirmed he received photos and videos from Gennett and forwarded them to staff "to attempt to identify what is growing on the rocks."

"Our Division of Water may be able to perform water quality sampling in the area this summer to determine if there is a nutrient issue contributing to the growth and will review the effluent limits in the SPDES permit for North Country Dairy; although there are non-point sources in the area as well. We are concerned about this situation and will continue working to understand and address it if possible," Young said in the email.

Gennett said correcting the issue is a top priority for him.

Legislators do not plan to formally present a resolution to call on the DEC to investigate the situation at this time, Gennett said.