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Public access
to the river
and creeks
Aesthetics of
Buffalo River
and adjacent
riparian areas
Public
awareness/
appreciation
of the
watershed
Public
knowledge
about non-
point source
pollution
Environmental
stewardship
Land use
& planning
Residential
development
and real estate
B
upper
watershed
lower
watershed
Buffalo River Urban Canoe Trail Guide created
Three restoration sites (-12 acres) along the
Buffalo River, with fishing and canoe/kayak access
completed in 1997 (Smith Street, Bailey Avenue
and Ohio Street); Seneca Bluffs under construction
Each spring and fall various groups coordinate
thousands of volunteers for river and shoreline
clean-ups
Spring and fall clean-ups clear dangerous debris
from miles of shoreline and river bottom
Local environmental education organizations raise
public awareness by conducting ongoing programs
throughout the watershed
WNY Earth Day 2004 focused upon water quality
issues, educating thousands of families through
print media and at the event
Annual festivals help promote environmental
education (i.e.; Buffalo Riverfest, Waterfest, etc.)
Over 12,000 Erie County residents registered
for Pesticide Notification
FBNR's2004 "River Smart" campaign provided
non-point source awareness advertisements in
local TV, radio and print media
Spring and fall cleanup events engage thousands
of local residents in environmental stewardship
Erie County Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Days collects on average 34,000 gallons of waste
from over 3,000 residents each year
Increased access for passive recreational use over last
15 years
Several plans exist for a Buffalo River Greenway
The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model
has been developed by the Army Corps of Engineers
and Buffalo State College to address non-point
source pollution through proper land use planning
Several local neighborhood revitalization plans created
for south Buffalo neighborhoods
CURRENT CONDTIONS
Numerous areas in upper watershed for
shoreline fishing access
Very few natural shoreline areas on Buffalo
River remain; access is limited due to contaminated
sites, private properties and armoring of shoreline
Development pressures in upper watershed
continue to degrade potential habitat and
access to waterways
The Buffalo River continuously receives litter and
other floatables from combined sewer overflows,
stormwater discharges, and upstream sources
Strong odor from combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
Watershed issues are generally not a priority to
local residents unless there are local beach closings,
health advisories or flooding
Development pressures continue throughout
the upper watershed
Poor maintenance of private/residential septic
systems throughout the watershed
Non-point source pollution (pollution from surface
runoff that can not be easily identified) continues
to be a major problem resulting in the impairment
of the Buffalo River
Ongoing community environmental
programs through organizations like the
Valley Community Center
Limited public involvement in watershed
planning and other environmental programs
City of Buffalo's Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan
(LWRP) is expected to be released around 2005-06
Many abandoned and historically contaminated
industrial sites continue to limit economic redevelop-
ment efforts
Economic Valuation Study currently underway for
the Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC)
Development pressures threaten habitat, open space
and access, especially in upper watershed
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT THE BUFFALO RIVER AREA OF CONCERN (AOC)?
Maintaining a healthy Buffalo River watershed has positive environmental, social and
economic impacts. Restoring the Buffalo River will bring technical, high quality jobs
associated with environmental research, planning and execution. A healthy river restores
and preserves property values for surrounding communities. A healthy river improves
quality of life for residents in terms of waterfront access, recreation opportunities and
public health. A healthy river improves capacity for local ecotourism efforts at Tifft
Nature Preserve, Times Beach, Outer Harbor, and for hiking, biking, birding, fishing,
boating, and other outdoor recreation. And, a healthy river invites further investment
into a community by local industry and other water dependent or enhanced businesses.
TREND STEPS NEEDED FOR PROBLEM RESOLUTION
Access improvements are needed along Buffalo River
Implement greenway and buffer strip requirements
in municipalities throughout the watershed
Reduce stormwater and CSO discharges
Implement catchbasin stenciling and litter reduction efforts
Continue community and municipal
shoreline clean-ups
Establish and enforce buffer zones, minimum setbacks
from shoreline
Celebrate the River's industrial heritage through
preservation and protection of select sites
Updated, free-flowing communication and
increased opportunities for community feedback
is needed regarding watershed policies
Increased support from all forms of local media
is needed to inform the public
Buffalo River Area of Concern Report Card
FBNR will be initiating a storm drain
stenciling program over 2005
More public involvement needed on projects such
as the Buffalo Sewer Authority's long term plan
Partnerships among environmental organizations,
community groups, business and local government
must be utilized to foster stewardship
Develop zoning policies to encourage the siting of water
enhanced businesses
Encourage and enhance coastal and ecotourism efforts
Adopt the LWRP
Encourage pedestrian and recreational use of waterways
Conduct economic evaluation study of property values
related to river cleanups, protection of greenspace, etc.
This Report Card was produced by the Friends
of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers under a grant
from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Buffalo River
Remedial Action Plan
Printed on recycled paper.
FRIENDS OF THE
BUFFALO NIAGARA
RIVE RS
The Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap.
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REPORT CARD
The Buffalo River Area of Concern Report Card was
created by the Buffalo River Remedial Advisory
Committee (RAC). The purpose of this Report Card is
to give a brief overview of the health, improvements
and current conditions of the Buffalo River Watershed
over the last 15 years. The Buffalo River Watershed
includes three tributaries - Cayuga Creek, Buffalo
Creek, and Cazenovia Creek.
Scientific data and research that was referenced
during the development of this report card is
available at our website: www.fbnr.org.
The Report Card offers six "indicators" related to
the River's health. They are: 1) Water Quality;
2) Contamination; 3) Fish and Wildlife; 4) Public
Access and Recreation; 5) Environmental Education
and Public Involvement; and 6) Land Use and
Development. The first three indicators are specifically
addressed by the RAP, while the remaining three are
important restoration factors not directly addressed by
the RAP.
Each indicator has been broken down further into sev-
eral "categories." Each category has been issued a let-
ter grade based on past successes, current health and
conditions, and trends over the last 15 years. The last
column identifies action steps or immediate concerns
to be addressed in order to meet restoration targets
for the Area of Concern. The Buffalo River Report
Card will be updated periodically.
www. f b n r. o r
Conditions Unchanged
Level of Effort Same,
No New Resources Dedicated
Conditions Worsening
No Level of Effort,
No Resources Available
WHAT IS THE
BUFFALO RIVER AREA
OF CONCERN (AOQ?
In 1989, local, state and federal
officials identified the Buffalo
River as one of 43 "Areas of
Concern" (AOC) throughout the
Great Lakes basin. The Buffalo
River received this designation
because of its severely degraded
condition as it was once virtually
devoid of all life. The Buffalo River
Watershed is approximately 440
square miles including three major
tributaries - Cayuga Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Cazenovia Creek. The
River is slow flowing and much of the natural shoreline has been
altered or destroyed since the early 1900's.
WHAT IS THE BUFFALO RIVER
REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN (RAP)?
When the Buffalo River AOC was designat-
ed, the NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation worked with local community
leaders to develop a "Remedial Action
Plan," or RAP. A RAP identifies sources of
problems, how pollution problems will be
fixed, who is responsible, and how to
prevent future contamination. Since 1989,
much progress has been made on inactive
hazardous waste sites as well as habitat
restoration along the River, however con-
tamination is still persistent in river sedi-
ments and fish and wildlife. In addition, bac-
teria levels continue to restrict healthy
human contact with the water.
MAJOR
PROBLE
Contaminated
and pesticides
Non-point
source pollu-
WHAT IS THE BUFFALO RIVER
REMEDIAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE (RAQ?
The Buffalo River Remedial Advisory Committee
(RAC) is responsible for implementing the RAP,
monitoring restoration efforts, and assessing
ongoing needs and conditions. The RAC is
comprised of over 30 advisors from agencies,
organizations and the local community. In
2003, the US Environmental Protection Agency
awarded a grant to the Friends of the Buffalo
Niagara Rivers to coordinate RAP implementa-
tion. The RAC was "re-energized" in January of
2004 and is currently making significant
progress on establishing clear restoration goals
for the Buffalo River watershed.
CATEGORIES GRADE
Overall water
quality in the
river and creeks
Bacterial
contamination
(Fecal Coliform
and E. Coli)
Contaminated
sediments
in the
Buffalo River
Conditions Improving
Increased Level of Effort and
New Dedicated Resources
A Excellent
B Good
C Fair
D Poor
E Failure
Spills, discharges
and leaching of
contaminants
Restoration
of fish and
wildlife habitat
Fish & wildlife
diversity and
populations
Contaminant
levels in fish
& wildlife
B
B
SUCCESSES AND IMPROVEMENTS
Loss of industry resulted in fewer chemical
discharges to the river
Declining levels of PCBs and pesticides in water column
Suspended sediment concentrations have declined
Buffalo Sewer Authority recently completed a draft "Long
Term Control Plan" for Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).
Erie County Water Quality Committee has sponsored a
series of septic system workshops within the watershed
Recent separation of sewer systems in Kaisertown has
abated several CSOs
$2 million Buffalo River Environmental Dredging
Feasibility Study underway; intensive sediment sampling
and remedial planning to be completed by 2007
Three local research projects recently received
-$200,000 in federal funding
More recently deposited sediment is cleaner
Contaminated sediment removed from the river
around the Buffalo Color peninsula
34 of 40 identified inactive hazardous waste sites
have been sealed or remediated
Regulatory programs and monitoring by NYSDEC
help reduce inputs into waterway
Nearly 12 acres of riverine habitat restored along
Buffalo River since 1997 (Ohio Street, Smith Street,
and Bailey Avenue sites)
Some abandoned sites have re-vegetated naturally
and provide limited habitat
Grassland habitat has been established on Buffalo
Color peninsula
Species diversity has been increasing since 1989.
Native terrestrial wildlife (e.g. Red Fox, White-Tailed Deer)
are recolonizing abandoned industrial sites
Successful fish stocking programs in Buffalo Creek
and Buffalo River by NYSDEC
Fewer incidences of deformities in benthic
organisms during last decade
Fewer incidences of fish tumors observed during
the last decade
CURRENT CONDTIONS
Turbidity (cloudiness of water) in the Buffalo
River may affect young fish
Very low dissolved oxygen
Some heavy metals exceed standards in the water
column (i.e.; iron, mercury, and zinc)
CSOs and SSOs continue to contribute to
bacterial contamination in the River and creeks,
which poses a human health risk
Historical sediments in the river exceed NYS
standards for PCBs, PAHs and pesticides
Ongoing navigational dredging continues to
disturb some historical contaminated sediments
Leaching of contaminants may continue
from six unremediated hazardous waste sites
Illegal connections to storm sewer lines may
be present
Phase I of Seneca Bluffs Habitat Restoration Project
(12 acres) is complete; funding is sought for Phase II
Potential habitat areas limited due to
contamination, development and altered shoreline
A 100-foot setback ordinance exists in the City
of Buffalo
• Japanese knotweed and other invasive plant
species (i.e.; purple loosestrife, phragmites) are
taking over much of the natural vegetation
throughout the watershed
Invasive Eurasian Ruffe, Round Goby and Sea
Lamprey populations threaten fish diversity
Fish consumption advisories still exist
for the Buffalo River
Contaminant levels in some fish species
remain unchanged since 1997
TREND
STEPS NEEDED FOR PROBLEM RESOLUTION
Implementation of nonpoint source (agricultural
and other runoff) pollution abatement practices
in upper watershed
Continue erosion control measures in upper watershed
Full implementation of Stormwater Phase II regulations
Continue to address failing septic systems throughout
upper watershed
Eliminate all SSOs in accordance with the Clean Water Act
Adopt long-term CSO control programs consistent
with EPA's National CSO Policy and the Great Lakes Strategy
by 2 005
Upon completion of Feasibility Study, submit application
to USEPA for Great Lakes Legacy Act Funding for sedi-
ment remediation
Complete remediation of all inactive hazardous
waste sites
Complete Seneca Bluffs and Times Beach Restoration
(-50 acres) projects
Identify and protect critical watershed habitat
Control sedimentation from erosion in the upper
watershed that degrades aquatic habitat
Establish local riparian setbacks in upper watershed
Need to control invasive plant and animal species
Improved and increased habitat will invite more diversity
and the return of native species (i.e., sturgeon, walleye, etc.)
Additional research needed on bird and amphibian
populations
Need research conducted on contaminant
levels in birds and wildlife
Fish contamination levels will continue to exceed standards
as long as contaminants in sediments can be resuspended
How Would YOU
Grade the Buffalo River?
We want to hear from you! This Citizens' Report
Card will help us understand your concerns as we
work to restore the river.
Access
Is it easy to get to the shoreline?
Is there public land to enjoy?
Fishing
Are fish abundant?
Are there many species? Are they healthy?
Swimming
Would you swim in the River?
Should neighborhood kids?
Wildlife
Do you see many different kinds of animals?
Do they have habitat?
Aesthetics
Is the River beautiful?
Are there trash, odor or other problems?
Other
What other conditions of the River
would you find worth grading?
Comments:
Name:
Address:
Email/phone:_
Thanks for your input! For more info, visit FBNR
at www.fbnr.org, email buffaloriver@fbnr.org,
or call 881-1217.
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