In an email to state Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formally rejected the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority (TIBA) property, also known as the Cloverleaf, as an option for their proposed facility. The TIBA property was originally proposed by members of the community as an alternative to Blind Bay, which remains CBPs primary choice.
CBP claimed in the email that the TIBA property is visible from above when crossing the TI Bridge, making it a nonviable option for their 50,000 square foot facility. In addition, the suggestion plot is not directly on the water, which CBP has continuously insisted they need.
Save The River Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper is disappointed by CBP’s decision to remove the TIBA property from consideration. We are continuing to strongly advocate for the siting of a CBP facility off and away form the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
Read the full Watertown Daily Times article on their website or via PDF.