Western New York, Niagara Group, Sierra Club

Activism

The Group's most current issues as of May, 2000.

Friends of Zoar Valley

The Niagara Group has joined efforts with a number of other Western New York environmental and conservation groups to convince New York State preserve stands of Old Growth Forest found in the State's Zoar Valley State Multiple Use Area. For some background on this issue, see a Recent Article from our newsletter, The Trailblazer. Also see the group's Resolution on Zoar Valley.

Additionally, as part of an effort to promote increased recreational usage of the Zoar Valley area, the Niagara Group plans a hike in the area on July 27th, 2000. See Outings for more information on the hike

Klydel Wetlands

The Klydel Wetland is a Class II freshwater wetland, regulated by both state and federal wetland laws located in North Tonawanda. It is the last remaining wetlands tract within the confines of the North Tonawanda city boundaries and a place of exemplary natural value. The approximately 70 acres that remain of this mature, forested wetland are located north of Meadow Drive, across from North Tonawanda High School. Sierra Club activist Elizabeth Kaszubski has been a leader in the effort to preseve this area. For the latest developments in the Klydel Wetlands, see the web site of the activist group which she co-founded, Citizens for A Green North Tonawanda.

Nanticoke Coal-Burning Power Plant

The Niagara Group has lent its assistance to the OntAIRrio Clean Air Campaign, with efforts focusing on reducing NOx emissions from the Nanticoke, Ontario coal-burning power plant, which is believed to be North America's largest coal-burning plant. Pollution from the Nanticoke Plant actually reaches the city of Buffalo, New York, which is the Niagara Group's home base, located only 63 miles from the plant. See the Group's Resolution on Nanticoke. This resolution was recently mailed to a number of local and state officials and we currently awaiting word from them as well planning our next steps.

NatureView Park

Niagara group activists have been involved in the effort to preserve the 1300 NatureView Park area in the Town of Amherst for years. They have been leaders in the effort to secure a conservation easement for the area. Late last year it looked as thought years of effort were finally going to pay off as the town voted in favor of the easement which would be held by the Western New York Land Conservancy. However early this year ,with the election of a new town boards this decision was rescinded. The Land Conservancy subsequently sued the town. The suit is ongoing at the moment. See this Past Article from our newsletter for more information.

Robert Moses Parkway

The Niagara Heritage Partnership is a group of concerned citizens who advocate the preservation and restoration of the region's natural environment and who encourage socially responsible development. Currently, the Niagara Heritage Partnership is advocating the removal of the 6.5 mile section of the Robert Moses Parkway which runs along the Niagara Gorge from Niagara Falls to Lewiston, and restoring the natural environment (indigenous trees, grasslands, wildflowers) and creating a hiking and biking path. The Niagara Group Sierra supports the efforts of the Niagara Heritage Partnership to remove the portion of the Robert Moses Parkway which runs from Niagara Falls to Lewiston.Niagara Group has passed a Resolution to that effect. Members are working with the partnership to effect this outstanding objective.