McMahon announces special advisory committee for proposed Inner Harbor aquarium project

“The aquarium offers our community a once in a generation opportunity to not only celebrate the amazing comeback of Onondaga Lake but share the unprecedented effort that was made by the environmental and scientific communities who made it happen.” McMahon said. “There is no doubt that the aquarium will serve as a much needed stimulus for our suffering hospitality and tourism industry, but just as important is that it will serve as an opportunity for Central New York to share with so many others our comeback story. I thank all of our partners for their commitment and recognition of this effort.”

The committee includes representatives from, “but not limited to,” SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF); Onondaga Community College; the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (The MOST); LeMoyne College; Onondaga County Office of the Environment and Department of

Water Environment Protection as well as the Onondaga Environment Institute.

“Central New York has a unique story to tell when it comes to the investment in reviving Onondaga Lake. Whether through the Amphitheater or simply by measures of the remarkable improvements in the water quality, ecology and biodiversity of the lake, this comeback is something worth celebrating far and wide.” Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura said. “The aquarium certainly presents the ideal opportunity not only to share that story, but also to provide an educational experience that many communities will envy.”

The Onondaga County Legislature still has a lot of questions about the project and has yet to schedule a vote on it, according to a June 7 article on the website of CNY Central.