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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
07/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/19/2024 13:07
DEC and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Announce Hybrid Outreach Event for the Buffalo River Area of Concern
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW) today announced a hybrid in-person and virtual outreach event to update the public about ongoing efforts to restore natural resources in the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) and the proposed removal of the Fish Tumors and Other Deformities Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) on Tuesday, July 30. Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, in partnership with DEC and Erie County, coordinates these restoration efforts under the Buffalo River AOC Remedial Action Plan (RAP).
The Buffalo River AOC is located in the city of Buffalo, Erie County, and includes the historically industrialized portion of the river beginning at its mouth, where it flows into Lake Erie, and continuing upstream approximately six miles to the Bailey Avenue bridge. The Fish Tumors and Other Deformities BUIwas originally designated as impaired in the 1980s. In recent years, significant remedial efforts were completed to address contaminants in the Buffalo River, including sediment removal and capping, and additional control measures at former and current industrial facilities along the river.
Assessments demonstrated that this remediation resulted in improved ecological conditions that meet the criteria established to remove the Fish Tumors and Other Deformities BUI.
A draft report, which details the completed actions and assessments supporting the BUI removal, is available for public review at the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper website.
Comments on the draft report and proposed BUI removal may be made at the Tuesday, July 30, 2024, event, and through BNW's website, until Aug. 19, 2024.
When: 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Where: To participate in-person, please visit the Collections Gallery Conference Room on the second floor of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Central location at 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo.
To participate virtually, go to the Webex website.
For more information about the Buffalo River Area of Concern, visit: