Rochester Township orders study of construction impact on unique heron rookery Rochester-area rookery shares woods with proposed development. May 14, 2021 5:04pm Text size Copy shortlink:
The great blue herons nesting in their once-secret rookery in the woods near Rochester continue to stir up controversy. Now they are getting some lift from township officials.
On Thursday, the Rochester Township board agreed to study whether a proposed housing development that would cut through the unusual nesting grounds would significantly affect the majestic birds.
The environmental assessment was requested by Save the Rookery, a group created to protect the previously undocumented colony. Its petition now contains more than 1,400 signatures.