Winter Shipping

Save The River was formed in 1978 to fight proposals for year-round navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Although the proposals were halted, Save The River is very concerned about early opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in ice conditions. Risks of shipping in ice conditions include:

• Icebreaking and winter shipping cause significant damage to property and important wildlife habitat;
• Spill response assets, such as boats and boom, are not accessible and usable due to ice conditions; and
• Lighted navigation aids are not in place, raising concerns about the safe passage of ships.

Read Save The River's position paper detailing criteria for safe opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Latest News

Update: Seaway Denies Save The River’s Legal Petition
Earlier this week, the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation denied Save The River’s recently filed legal petition, which asked the Seaway to make public the procedures for setting the Seaway’s opening date. Unfortunately, the denial of this petition was not unexpected. read more

Save The River Responds to Icebreaking Study
Save The River applauds the work of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne in pushing for answers to the many concerns surrounding icebreaking and winter shipping on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Unfortunately, the Seaway agencies are inappropriately using the study results to imply that this one, narrow study puts to rest the issue of winter shipping and icebreaking on the St. Lawrence River. read more

NY DEC Supports Save The River’s Legal Rulemaking Petition
NY Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Alexander 'Pete' Grannis notified the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation of their support of Save The River's legal petition for rulemaking, which asks the Seaway to make public the procedures for setting the Seaway's opening date. read more

Save The River Files Legal Rulemaking Petition Calling for Transparency in Seaway Opening Process
In an effort to bring transparency to the process for setting the opening date for the St. Lawrence Seaway, Save The River has filed a legal petition for rulemaking with the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC). read more

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