Security procedures being reviewed after illegal entry over U.S.-Canada dam in Massena

Alex Gault, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·3 min read
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Dec. 6—MASSENA — Officials are alarmed that someone illegally entered the U.S. from Canada via the Moses-Saunders Power Dam in October.

First reported by WWNY-TV, Channel 7 News in Watertown Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials confirmed that they encountered an illegal border crosser near the dam on Oct. 25.

"Upon arrival, agents encountered an individual without legal status who was detained and transported to the Massena Border Patrol Station for processing, and later transferred to the CBP Buffalo (Batavia) processing center," a CBP spokesperson said.

It was later discovered that the person had crossed by using the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, which spans the St. Lawrence River and connects Canada and the U.S. The dam is co-managed by the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation.

NYPA's director of media relations Susan A. Craig said on Wednesday that NYPA is working closely with OPG, New York State Police and U.S. CBP to review procedures at the dam to ensure continued safe operation.

"The safety and security of the shared power dam is a top priority," she said.

A spokesperson for Ontario Power Generation said the company cannot comment widely on the incident because it's a security matter, but confirmed an incident did occur.

"There is no threat to the public or damage to the facility,"said Neal Kelly, director of media and public affairs for OPG. "We undertook a rigorous review of our security processes and systems and have implemented strong measures, including increasing the security presence around the facility."

Elected officials were quick to raise their concerns once the report about the illegal crossing was published.

State Sen. Daniel G. Stec, R-Queensbury, said the dam and other sites like it need to be secured at all times.

"The fact that someone could illegally cross the border through (the) Moses-Saunders Power Dam is absolutely unacceptable and puts the security of our power grid at risk," he said. "This event must be thoroughly investigated and state and federal officials must take border security seriously."

U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik's spokesperson Danna Almeida said the blame for the border breach falls on President Joseph R. Biden. The congresswoman has regularly blasted the president for his border policies, some of which have led to vast numbers of Border Patrol agents reassigned from the northern border down south.

"The Moses-Saunders Power Dam is critical infrastructure, and our office is working with law enforcement agencies to get all information regarding the security breach," she said. "Congresswoman Stefanik will continue to work to secure the borders and ensure our northern border communities and infrastructure are protected."

On Wednesday, Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown, said he's never heard of a security breach at the dam before, and said he's seen some of the ways it's been made more secure since Sept. 11, 2001.

"They have a high level of security, so it's kind of unusual what happened," he said. "Frankly, it's concerning. The wrong person in the wrong place with the wrong intentions, it could be very concerning."

Gray said he has seen more of the U.S. side's security operations than the Canadian side, and said it's important that both sides demonstrate the same level of commitment to keeping the power dam secure.

The person who was apprehended after crossing at the dam remains in Batavia awaiting removal proceedings.