Press Release: New York State, September 25, 1998

Bond Act, EPF Support Water Quality, Recycling, Parks Projects

Governor George E. Pataki today announced $6 million in grants from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for a wide range of environmental and park improvement projects in Erie and Niagara counties.

Erie and Niagara counties have been blessed with abundant natural resources, from Lakes Ontario and Erie to the Niagara and Buffalo rivers, Governor Pataki said. Caring for these resources is an awesome responsibility that requires intelligent stewardship, careful planning and resources to get the job done.

For years, we have know what we needed to do to protect the Great Lakes and the natural resources of western New York, the Governor said. Now, we are acting on that vision by helping communities invest in infrastructure that protects water quality, restoring critical fish and wildlife habitat, bringing new life to waterfront communities, expanding and improving parks, reclaiming contaminated sites and expanding recycling.

Governor Pataki announced the grants in the Town of Tonawanda, near Strawberry Island, which is located in the Niagara River near the southern tip of Grand Island. It is one of the State's most important fish and wildlife habitats that has been endangered by 50 years of gravel dredging and the river's strong currents. It is one-half mile south of Motor Island, which the State acquired with Bond Act funds last February.

The Strawberry Island/Motor Island Shallows, a 400-acre shallow-water habitat, is officially designated as a New York State significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat. It contains extensive beds of submerged aquatic plants and is used by a variety of migratory waterfowl and by muskellunge as spawning and nursery habitat, making the Niagara River muskellunge fishery one of the best in New York.

Governor Pataki announced $735,175 in Bond Act funds for an aquatic habitat restoration project at Strawberry Island that will restore three acres of wetland habitat along the eastern and western arms of the crescent-shaped island.

Approximately 2,300 feet of rip-rap breakwall will be installed to protect the island from wind and wave action. Submerged sills will hold wetland soil in place and nearly 10,000 cubic yards of wetland soil will be transported from the Buckhorn Island Marsh State Park marsh restoration project and placed at Strawberry Island. More than 2,700 plants will be planted.

Senator Mary Lou Rath said, "Western New York has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources that makes our area so special. Thanks to the Environmental Bond Act, these grants will protect and enhance our waterfronts, parks and drinking water. We are entering a new era of trusted understanding between state and local governmental issues."

Senator Dale Volker said, "I am pleased that Governor Pataki continues to ensure that Western New York is receiving its fair share environmental funding which will provide considerable economic and "quality-of-life" benefits for our residential and business communities."

Assemblyman Thomas L. Reynolds said, "With this latest round of grants, Governor Pataki has once again demonstrated his strong support for Western New York's environment. As demonstrated by the economic impact that sportsmen and women have across New York, we know that a clean environment is good for our economy."

Conservation Fund Advisory Board Chairman John Long, an integral member of the Strawberry Island preservation team, said, The saving of Strawberry Island is one of New York's greatest environmental success stories of recent times. Without timely and effective action by sportsmen, regulatory agencies, local governments and everyday citizens who care about our natural resources, Strawberry Island would have been lost. I thank everyone for the spirit of cooperation that made this success happen and Governor Pataki for his commitment to continuing a remarkable natural resource restoration project.

Tonawanda Town Supervisor Carl Calabrese said, "This announcement today reaffirms the Governor's commitment to revitalizing our town's waterfront. We have made a tremendous amount of progress over the last few years in our waterfront region that would not have been possible without the help of the Governor. The grant of $42,500 for our town that the Governor announced

today will allow us to pursue development of a 10-acre parcel next to the Grand Island Bridges that will ad to the economic development of our waterfront and increase public accessibility. When combined with the Governor's commitment to building a new state park at the 'Cherry Farm', the future of our waterfront is very bright."

DEC Commissioner John P. Cahill said, The Strawberry Island restoration project is a nationally recognized success story and these Bond Act funds will help us to complete the task. Sportsmen, State and local officials, environmentalists, birders and community activists all rallied to the aid of Strawberry Island when it was threatened. Today is the beginning of a new chapter in a great conservation story.

Other Bond Act and EPF grants in Erie and Niagara counties include:

• $3.6 million for water quality improvement projects, including $500,000 to help the Buffalo Sewer Authority reduce sewer overflows, $277,000 for projects along the Buffalo Creek, and $1.4 million to the City of Lockport for a wastewater treatment upgrade.
• $542,784 for municipal recycling projects in the cities of Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda, the village of East Aurora and Town of Orchard Park.
• $669,284 for municipal parks projects in the Cities of Lockport and Buffalo and at Fort Niagara State Park.
• $125,492 for two brownfields projects in the City of Buffalo, one to cleanup contamination and the other to investigation potential contamination.
• $759,430 for historic preservation projects at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, the King Urban Life Center, the Darwin D. Martin and George Barton Houses.
• $ 224,500 for local waterfront revitalization projects in the cities of Lockport and Tonawanda, the Village of Middleport and the Town of Evans, Grand Island and Tonawanda.

The water quality improvement projects funded through the Bond Act's Great Lakes program are subject to a 30-day public comment period and will be reviewed by a committee of Great Lakes community members and environmental experts.

Secretary of State Sandy Treadwell said, New York's waterfront resources are among its greatest assets. These grants will enhance our natural resources and the public's enjoyment of coastal and waterfront environments in New York State. Thanks to Governor Pataki's strong leadership and his commitment to our waterfront revitalization program, we are strengthening our partnership with local governments to protect and improve our state's waterfront environments.

State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, Thanks to the Bond Act and Governor Pataki's commitment to cleaner water and air, we are able to help communities in Erie and Niagara counties expand and improve their municipal parks.

State Agriculture Commissioner Donald R. Davidsen said, Farmers across new York are eager to protect drinking water from the natural byproduct of their operations. This funding from the Governor helps farmers protect watersheds from runoff and will preserve the water quality of the Buffalo River and Twelve Mile Creek.

In just two years since voters approved the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, more than $455 million has been committed to needed environmental projects around the State. The Bond Act has now provided $27 million in grants for environmental projects in Erie and Niagara counties. The counties also have received $7.9 million in Bond Act financing for improvements to drinking water systems.

The $1.75 billion Bond Act was proposed by Governor Pataki and approved by voters in November 1996. It provides $790 million for water quality projects, $355 million to protect drinking water systems, $175 million for recycling and landfill closures, $200 million for brownfields reclamation, and $230 million for clean air projects.

The State Environmental Protection Fund supports State and local programs to preserve and restore the environment by protecting open spaces, farmland, coastlines and municipal parks, closing outdated municipal landfills and improving recycling. During the Pataki Administration, EPF funding has increased four-fold.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING FOR ERIE COUNTY

Buffalo Sewer Authority
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $500,000
Project Cost:$588,235
Water Quality Improvement Project -The project will reduce combined sewer overflow volume that is currently discharged to waterways during wet weather by maximizing the flow to the Buffalo Sewer Authority's wastewater treatment plant. The project will reduce floatable debris discharge, biochemical oxygen demand, toxics and other solids released to the Niagara River, the Black Rock Canal, Buffalo Harbor, Cazenovia Creek, Buffalo River and Scajaquada Creek

City of Buffalo
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $75,000
Project Cost:$100,000
Brownfields Project - Investigate Trinidad Park, a 1.5-acre neighborhood park that was formerly the site of an asphalt manufacturing operation, for potential environmental contamination. In 1996, there was a cleanup up of a small portion of the park where oil and asphalt were leaking from underground tanks. However, there is need to investigate the entire site. The City proposes continued use of the site as a park.

City of Buffalo
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $50,492
Project Cost:$67,323
Brownfields Project - Cleanup of a 1.9-acre former rail/industrial site on Liberty Avenue where soil is contaminated with semivolatile organic compounds. The City will excavate the contaminated soil and dispose of it offsite. This site is part of an economic revitalization effort associated with the Linear Industrial parkway being constructed along an abandoned rail right of way in Buffalo.

City of Buffalo
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $150,000
Project Cost:$701,922
Municipal Parks Project - Restoration of the Parkside Lodge in Delaware Park. The Lodge will be used as a park visitor center, community meeting space and administrative office space for the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.

Village of East Aurora
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $86,750
Project Cost:$173,500
Municipal Recycling Project - Purchase of a new recycling truck, chipper and curbside recycling bins. The project will help the Village more effectively manage yard waste collection and composting and will assist new Village residents to participate in the Village recycling program.

Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $657,540
Project Cost:$755,260
Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Control Project - Review agricultural management practices on 34 farms in the Buffalo Creek Watershed. The implementation that will result from this survey will enable these 34 farmers to prevent nutrient and pesticides from reaching the Buffalo Creek.

Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $277,000
Project Cost: $634,000
Non-Point Source Pollution Control Project - Buffalo Creek Watershed Riparian Habitat Restoration Project. The project will stabilize approximately 4,300 feet of streambank using rock riprap and other streambank stabilization techniques, including willow wattles, live stakes, and brush mats. An additional 1,000 feet of riparian habitat will be established or protected through tree and shrub plantings on eroding parts of the streambank in the Buffalo Creek watershed

Erie County
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $315,000
Project Cost: $1,583,500
Historic Preservation Project - Rehabilitation of the superstructure at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. As part of the Botanical Gardens redevelopment, this project will include rehabilitation of the Conservatory's 67- feet high Main Dome glass, metal and wood superstructure.

Town of Evans
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $82,500
Project Cost: $165,000
Local Waterfront Revitalization Project - Preparation of final design for development of the 29-acre Sturgeon Point Bluffs area as a multi-use public recreation area. The project includes public access to the bluffs along Lake Erie; an eagle hacking platform and interpretive trails of significant wildlife habitats; an outdoor performance area and other recreational facilities.

Town of Grand Island
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $25,000
Project Cost: $59,310
Local Waterfront Revitalization Project - Project includes the revitalization of the Ferry Village neighborhood, protection of sensitive coastal fish and wildlife habitats, and development of local land use controls specific to the waterfront.

King Urban Life Center, Inc.
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $23,900
Project Cost: $575,000
Historic Preservation Project - The King Urban Life Center is housed in the former St. Mary's of Sorrows Church. The project will repair the slate and copper roofs, the main entrance steps and sidewalks, and construct a ramp for physically handicapped.

Martin House Restoration Corporation
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $205,430
Project Cost: $452,000
Historic Preservation Project - The project supports the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright - designed Darwin D. Martin and George Barton Houses. The project is a cooperative undertaking of the Martin House Restoration Corporation, the University at Buffalo and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. This grant will support reconstruction of the Pergola, which was attached to the Martin House and was demolished in the 1950's.

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $735,175
Project Cost: $847,175
Water Quality Improvement Project - The project will restore and protect aquatic habitat on Strawberry Island, an historically significant area which provides an important fish and wildlife habitat within the Niagara River watershed. This project will restore the Island's wetlands which have been severely eroded and have degraded the natural habitat. Approximately 2,300 feet of stone breakwall will be installed and dredged soils from Buckhorn Island Marsh will be placed within shallow water areas adjacent to the breakwalls to provide for wetland restoration.

Town of Orchard Park
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $275,000
Project Cost: $550,000
Municipal Recycling Project - This funding will assist the Town in acquiring a new site to expand their composting operation and is expected to divert approximately 18,000 cubic yards of compostable yard waste out of landfills.

City of Tonawanda
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $25,000
Project Cost: $50,000
Local Waterfront Revitalization Project - Rehabilitation of the concrete retaining wall along the Niagara River adjacent to the River Walk along the Niagara River. The project will correct erosion of the retaining wall that has caused sink holes and other conditions hazardous to pedestrians and anglers.

Town of Tonawanda
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $42,500
Project Cost: $85,000
Waterfront Revitalization Project - Prepare plans for development of Riverfront Park on 1100 feet of Niagara River shoreline. The Plan will include an interpretive center, restaurant and lodging.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING FOR NIAGARA COUNTY

City of Niagara Falls
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $87,249
Project Cost: $174,498
Municipal Recycling Project - Purchase of backyard composting bins for residential use as well as the purchase of curbside recycling boxes to encourage recycling and improve the effectiveness of the City's recycling program

City of Lockport
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $1,405,050
Project Cost: $1,653,000
Water Quality Improvement Project - The project will complete the Lockport Wastewater treatment facility according to it original design by constructing a final settling tank. The project will alleviate release of partially treated wastewater into Eighteenmile Creek during storm events.

City of Lockport
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $184,284
Project Cost: $484,672
Municipal Parks Project - Altro Park Redevelopment Project. The project will provide a new Youth Center addition at the facility, reconstruction of athletic fields, relocation of the playground, new landscaping throughout the park and a new Children's Garden

Village of Middleport
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $17,000
Project Cost: $34,000
Local Waterfront Revitalization Project - The Village of Middleport and the Towns of Hartland and Royalton will prepare a joint Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to address the use and enjoyment of the NYS Barge Canal, including the Village's business district and the immediate area surrounding the Canal.

City of North Tonawanda
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $93,785
Project Cost: $187,570
Municipal Recycling Project - Purchase of three recycling trucks to improve the City's curbside recycling program

Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $88,772
Project Cost: $139,769
Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Control Project - Review agricultural management practices and construct agricultural waste storage structures, silage leachate containment and roof water containment on a large dairy farm in the Twelvemile Creek Watershed. Twelvemile Creek flows directly into Lake Ontario.

Old Fort Niagara Association, Inc.
Funding Source: Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act
State Funds: $335,000
Project Cost: $2,453,680
Municipal Parks Project - Creation of on Old Fort Niagara Visitor Center at the former U.S. Army warehouse located in Fort Niagara State Park. The Center will offer a visitor orientation program and special programs and lectures. It will also house exhibits and collections, as well as other visitor services.

Village of Wilson
Funding Source: EPF
State Funds: $32,500
Project Cost: $65,000
Local Waterfront Revitalization Project - Preparation of a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to address increasing public access to Lake Ontario; promoting economic revitalization; expanding water recreation; and enhancing the community and environment.