Ted Endreny, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry professor of water resources and engineering, isn’t comfortable saying whether or not he agrees with the court’s recent decision to require more environmental impact studies for the I-81 project.

However, he said there are mandates surrounding issues such as stormwater management and air quality standards to be considered, and added that there are benefits to the studies.

“Do I think additional studies are valuable? The answer would be yes. And that's just the nature of science and engineering," said Endreny.

Environmental changes are being considered after the announcement of Micron’s $100 billion project in Clay.

What You Need To Know

  • A judge recently ruled that more environmental impact studies are needed before demolition can take place on the I-81 project in Syracuse

  • A professor at SUNY ESF said there are mandates surrounding issues such as stormwater management and air quality standards to be considered when projects are done

  • The professor said it can be a benefit going forward

When asked about what is needed for creating and maintaining a stormwater system, Endreny said it’s important to understand the volume and flow rates of water, and to replicate an area that had naturally existed.

As a community, he said we are dependent on “ecosystem services” that provide our drinking water, air and an area that supports biodiversity.

“It's imperative when we are designing stormwater that we design to maintain those ecosystem services," Endreny said.

He said removing stormwater management can have deadly consequences in some circumstances due to hydroplaning and ice issues. Endreny said stormwater management systems can also help treat the quality of the drained water.

“If you remove the treatment of that water quality, is it local problem? Maybe for a little while. “Is it a regional problem? Perhaps. Because water tends to flow towards its low spots, where we're located, most of our water will find its way either into Onondaga Lake. Or for the eastern parts of the city, it'll find its way into Oneida Lake," Endreny said.

Eventually, he said, it all makes its way to the Atlantic Ocean, and they do see pollutants making that course. He said taking another look at the designs can be a benefit going forward.

“We can use newer methods and those methods are really integrated into using our biodiversity. So you'll see probably more green spaces surrounding any type of highway we put up. New elements of 81 or the community grid or the viaduct, and we will be better served with this process," Endreny said.

The state can continue to perform safety projects for now, but can’t demolish the current highway until the new studies are finalized.