There is an opportunity at hand, to restore and protect “a rare forested wetland habitat along Cayuga Creek’s northern border,” before it can be subjected (irreversibly) to other interests, including possible developers.
Over the decades, the land and waters in question have already suffered at the hands of pollution, surrounding development, floodplain loss, and creek channel alterations. These compounding problems have resulted in flooding issues for neighbors, as well as adverse living conditions for its wildlife inhabitants, including a wide array of amphibians, birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Together, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the Town of Niagara are committed to a significant restoration and preservation project, which has been in the planning stages since 2017. Thankfully, there is a renewed effort to engage local stakeholders, which is partially due to the mounting problems pertaining to water quality, flooding, and climate change, as well as a clearer understanding of the importance of the Niagara River Greenway and its role to provide public access at natural settings.
“The restoration and transformation of this land and creek ecosystem will not only help alleviate pressures from flooding, but also restore this natural space as a healthier waterway for all in Niagara County to enjoy,” said Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka. “Like the other projects in Waterkeeper’s successful track record of restoration, this came together through years of cooperative efforts with the Town of Niagara as well as private and non-profit partners, for the benefit of the community. We are excited that the collaboration with the Town of Niagara and numerous funding partners has endured over the years and we are finally able to provide a win for both the environment and the people who live and recreate here.”
“New York’s Environmental Protection Fund is making critical investments to improve and conserve water quality across the state, and promoting sustainable and resilient wetland systems is a top priority for DEC,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “We are excited to continue to partner with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper on this vital, multi-faceted restoration project that will deliver cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, and reduced potential for flooding to an ecologically significant property and Niagara River tributary.”
Town of Niagara Supervisor Lee Wallace stated, “The importance of this project cannot be overstated. The Town of Niagara residents who live in that neighborhood and surrounding area have had to deal with flooding issues since the 1960s, affecting their quality of life, which is unacceptable. It is our hope that this project will help to minimize flooding in the future. On behalf of the Town of Niagara Town Board, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper for their efforts in making this cooperative project a reality.”
The land in question is comprised of 25+ acres and approximately 1,500 linear feet of Cayuga Creek (in Niagara County), which has been channelized and disconnected from its historic floodplain. In 2018, the acreage in question was donated by Joseph C. Weber, Inc. and is now owned by the Town of Niagara, thanks to a collaborative effort by the Town of Niagara, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Western New York Land Conservancy, and the Niagara County Department of Economic Development.
Work has already begun, to restore and reroute the creek flow to a more natural meandering path. The floodplain restoration project was designed by Barton & Loguidice, and is being implemented by Ecological Restoration Inc., with funding support by Waterkeeper. The project, which includes numerous habitat recreation measures, will be completed by the end of the year.
Two additional parcels of land (11 acres) have also been added to the original project acreage, bringing the total acreage of the project to 36. Waterkeeper has partnering with the Town of Niagara and the Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust to create a Land Trust to ensure that these natural assets are protected in perpetuity.
“The Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust’s mission to protect ecologically sensitive areas while providing public access is a perfect fit with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s vision for this preserve,” said Adam Walters, Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust president. “We are delighted to partner with them and the Town of Niagara to provide stewardship for these unique properties.”
All total, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has secured over $2,200,000 in funding from the Environmental Protection Fund Title 15 – Climate Smart Community Projects as administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Love Canal, 102nd Street and Forest Glen Mobile Home Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration Trustees; New York Power Authority – Niagara Power Project Relicensing Settlement Agreement and the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Fund; the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Sustain our Great Lakes Program through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; the Host Community Greenway Fund Standing Committee; the US Environmental Protection Agency; and the Coors Seltzer Change the Course Partnership, for the forested wetland protection, site assessment and design, creek realignment and stream and floodplain restoration.
On behalf of the Love Canal, 102nd Street and Forest Glen Mobile Home Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration Trustees, David Stilwell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New York Field Office Supervisor stated, “The restoration work to reconnect Cayuga Creek to its floodplain will restore the remaining natural creek and wetland habitat along Cayuga Creek and will provide local communities greater access to natural resources. The restoration of Cayuga Creek is a critical component of the compensation to the public for contamination of the natural resources from the Love Canal, 102nd Street and Forest Glen Mobile Home Superfund sites.”
Daniella Piper, regional manager for the Niagara Power Project at the New York Power Authority, said, “The New York Power Authority is proud to play a significant supporting role in this valuable habitat restoration project. Beginning with an early financial contribution to help launch the program, NYPA has gone on to provide further funding and worked with the Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Fund to help the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the Town of Niagara move this critical environmental project forward. We eagerly await its completion and welcome the contribution to the ecological health of Niagara County.”
A Public Access Master Plan has been created, that will roll out in three phases.
Moving forward, additional funds will be raised, with trail/site access naming recognition for key donors. Please contact Emily Root for more information on these opportunities: eroot@bnwaterkeeper.org.