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Sierra Club, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly meeting - January 21, 2005United Methodist Church Community Room, Main Street, Williamsville, 7 PM
Jane Jontz, Chair, Presiding
Present: Jane Jontz*, Art Klein*, Steve Burns-Treasurer, Mike Stroh*, Larry Beahan*, Robert Ciesielski*, Liz Kaszubski*, Paul Maine*, Joe Gardella*, Ginger Ursitti*, Richard Lippes*, Carl deVyver, Joanna Frady, Janine Powley, Craig Powley, Philip Serwinowski, Lori Rivera, Barry Boyer, Ken Horvath, Bob Marusza, Jane Sheldon, Sheila Carbrey (* Indicates member of Exec. Committee)
Meeting called to order by Jane Jontz
1) BUSINESS REPORT - S. Burns: Balance of $529.52; Annual financial statement shows a deficit of approximately $800.00.
2) MEMBERSHIP REPORT - S. Burns: Individual Chapter Members 2,430, Households 2,384
3) MINUTES - DECEMBER 2004 - Meeting presented by S. Burns – Motion to waive reading and accept minutes by R. Ciesielski, Seconded by L. Kaszubski - Approved
4) COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR OPEN SPACE AND SPRAWL REPORT - A. Klein - No report.
5) WETLANDS REPORT - L. Kaszubski - Governor Pataki has included Wetland Protection monies in State Budget. Proposal includes setting of fees and designations of parcel as small as one acre.
6) NIAGARA RIVER GREENWAY CAMPAIGN - Slide show presentation by Julie O'Neill of the Friends of Buffalo Niagara River (FBNR). (NOTE: Mike Stroh has posted the outline of the presentation at http://newyork.sierra club.org/niagara. Go to 'Links' and then to Friends of Buffalo Niagara River, Niagara Greenway.)
As part of the relicensing of the Niagara Power Project by the New York Power Authority, a settlement has been reached providing up to $1 Billion for preservation and development of the Niagara River. Governor Pataki has created the Niagara River Greenway Commission (Greenway Commission) to make recommendations and exert control over the funds. It is expected that the Greenway Commission and the funding will be in existence for up to 50 years.
In an effort to support an environmentally sound use of the settlement funds, the FBNR has created the Niagara Relicensing Environmental Coalition of 30 organizations, including the Sierra Club. Building on its success, the Coalition has created the Niagara River Greenway Campaign (Greenway Campaign) to promote this environmentally sound vision. The FBNR presentation by Julie O'Neill outlines their vision (a copy of presentation accompanies these minutes, highlighting the areas discussed).
The importance of water nationally and globally demonstrates the importance of the Niagara River Basin. The Greenway Coalition is seeking the input of many people and organizations, including the public and sportsmen who are seeking public access to the river, environmental experts at the University of Buffalo, Buffalo State and other universities and colleges in the area, and all persons living in the Niagara Watershed which encompasses five Western New York counties of the Niagara Basin.
The Greenway Campaign seeks to promote the benefits of developing or restoring an environmentally sound river, with economic benefits which will proceed from the maintenance of the environmental beauty and quality of the area. Goals are to develop accessibility to the water by the community and to promote local economies and businesses based on sustained natural areas and watershed quality.
Guidelines include doing no harm with no new shoreline development or exposure of toxins . Secondly, restoration of the Niagara Ecosystem including habitat, water quality, fish, wildlife and natural plant populations. Thirdly to develop economically friendly jobs involving environmental restoration, eco and nature based tourism and marine based businesses.
The FBNR hopes to promote maximum public access to the shoreline for the entire community.
It hopes to involve active engagement of the citizenry, local representatives, regional coordination and investments by local businesses. Available funding can be leveraged to obtain other governmental, business and environmental monies.
The Coalition sees a proper Greenway development as good economics. It is hoped that in many instances buffers consisting of at least 100 feet to 200 yards of environmentally preserved parklands and habitats can be maintained between the water's edge and development. Development at the water's edge denigrates the environment, in the long run making the area less attractive to residents or companies which have built up to the waterline. The environmentally healthy and protected shoreline will enhance the values of properties developed along the buffer, benefiting the developers, persons who utilize the developments and the environment.
As part of the Greenway Campaign, FBNR has received some 30 endorsements from organizations and is asking each organization to promote the Greenway Concept. The organizational membership of the thirty organizations is approximately 100,000 in the WNY area. FBNR is promoting public relations campaigns and is hoping to have some influence upon Commission appointments and to influence the community Greenway plan. The Greenway Coalition supports the ecosystem restoration plan in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Conservation. FBNR is also looking for a building from which the Coalition forces may meet to operate. The proximity of the organizations in a central location would make it easier to exchange information among groups.
The Greenway Coalition benefits from the fact that Canada, which has in many instances furthered economic development by maintaining an environmentally sound shoreline, has substantial information concerning the effects of the preservation upon its economy. The Greenway Coalition will attempt to provide all information the DEC to aid them in their ecological planning and preservation. Funding for the Greenway Coalition has come from the Wendt Foundation and the O'Shei Foundation.
The Campaign is seeking to have Coalition members help each other by sharing information. The Greenway project has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. It is hoped that all coalition members review campaign materials adding relevant ideas. It is also hoped that the coordinated action will help get the word out to businesses and the public to promote the environmentally sound preservation and development of the river.
7) DISCUSSION OF GREENWAY CAMPAIGN - L. Kaszubski questioned how the Uniland proposal to develop a waterfront convention center in Buffalo was viewed in connection with plan. Julie O'Neill stated that it is hoped to show businesses and developers that they can make money in a different way. It has been shown in many cities that by leaving a significant buffer of 100 feet to 200 yards between the shoreline and the developed areas, there is actually greater development and more desire by people to utilize the developments . It is hoped that this buffer zone can be extended along the 37 miles of lake and Niagara River shoreline. The realization of this sort of development can only come about if the business community can see the benefits.
P. Maine spoke of the educational needs concerning public open space in the City of Tonawanda. A discussion took place concerning the value of eco-tourism and the hope that funding to promote eco-tourism will come from the Greenway plan.
R. Lippes mentioned that John Scheffer has done some work on the state level to promote eco-tourism. It is hoped that the Greenway can provide 'green certified' hotels. It is felt that Thomas Kucharski of the Buffalo Enterprise would favor an environmentally sound development plan for the city development area.
S. Burns brought up the topic of who would serve on the Commission. Matt Millea is the contact person in the Governor's office for environmental programs and might be contacted concerning appointments.
R. Lippes stated that Greenway Commission is part of the relicensing procedure for the New York Power Authority and stressed the importance of obtaining some of environmentally friendly appointments.
Barry Boyer of FBNR mentioned that the Sierra Club could utilize zip code lists, contacting persons living closest to the river's edge and ask them to put up signs, bumper stickers and other means of publicity to promote the Greenway approach.
J. O'Neill mentioned that the Greenway Commission members will probably be appointed by March 2005. Barry Boyer and Margaret Wooster are candidates for appointment.
R. Lippes mentioned that Governor Pataki strongly supports open space and green issues.
L. Beahan mentioned that the Governor has four appointments to the Commission. Any State Senator or Assembly person can make recommendations. John Stouffer, the Sierra Club lobbyist in Albany, may be able to obtain some information concerning appointments. L. Kaszubski said she will speak to John to contact people on Wetlands committee.
There was a discussion concerning use of the Greenway's money to acquire land. The DEC has discussed some future purchases. L. Kaszubski, on the Open Space Committee in Niagara County, said that the Grant application for the procedure of the New York State Open Space Plan is quite complex. It would be easier to use the New York Power Authority settlement money to purchase some of the lands. J. O'Neill states tat one of the goals of the Greenway Coalition is to make sure that both the Open Space Plan monies and the monies from the Greenway settlement are both used to purchase lands, and that the settlement monies are not used to replace Open Space funds.
8) CHAPTER EFFORTS CONCERNING GREENWAY CAMPAIGN - J. Jontz brought up the question of mobilizing the local chapter membership in support of the Greenway Coalition. L. Beahan will contact John Stouffer to see what suggestions he has for chapter involvement. A. Klien suggested contacting members by zip code and asking them to support environmentally friendly commission candidates. Commission appointments are for four years.
J. Jontz asked what our strategy will be to support the Greenway Coalition. There was a discussion of community meetings, mailings, lawn signs and bumper stickers to emphasize the Greenway's support among voters. Our members can input their local governmental representatives. Community meetings sponsored by the Chapter were suggested.
L. Kaszubski suggested that mailing questionnaires to members asking for their input.
J. O'Neill mentioned the importance of the Chapter on local zoning, as where the West Seneca ice rink was relocated because of citizen input to the Town board. Town board members reacted quickly to large number of residents.
Bumper stickers to promote the alternate vision should be distributed to members. There was a discussion whether bumper stickers, a questionnaire and position papers should be mailed with the chapter newsletter or in a completely different mailing. The cost of a separate mailing was discussed. Our next mailing is scheduled for March 10, 2005. J. Jontz mentioned contacting members by email in the interim.
L. Beahan mentioned having a meeting with a big name speaker in support of the Coalition. There was some discussion of having Robert Kennedy, Jr. of River Keepers speak locally. J. Jontz mentioned that Charles Lamb has said RRG of Lewiston wants to invite Kennedy to the area.
Committee thanked J. O'Neill and FBNR for the presentation.
9) L. Beahan stated that Elliott Spitzer is coming to speak at a Democratic dinner in the Town of Amherst in June, and asked if the Sierra Club would be interested in co-sponsoring. Larry will speak to dinner sponsors to inquire as to their interests.
10) J. Gardella mentioned that a letter from Sierra Club to Mayor Masiello in support of the Hickory Woods clean up project has helped. $1 Million in Federal Funds may be available for the project. Mr. Stanton has been replaced by Jim Wannamaker in charge of the Hickory Woods project for the city. Attempts are still being made to obtain $800,000 remediation money from the steel company.
11) J. Gardella has been named State Chair of the Toxic Waste Committee .
12) Charles Lamb spoke to J. Jontz about having Chapter contribute money to an RRG informational campaign in Lewiston. CMW continues to locally promote an expansion of its dump site. R. Lippes mentioned that the CMW has currently withdrawn its application for expansion of its site. The State is abiding by a prior State Health Department order that no expansion is to take place until further studies have been completed. A discussion was had as to whether $1,000 or $500 should be contributed to the RRG campaign. Charles Lamb will be contacted.
13) R. Lippes was asked for an update on NatureView, a proposed preserve in the Town of Amherst with significant wetlands. Richard is representing the Western New York Land Conservancy in the matter. An easement for the property had been given to the Western New York Land Conservancy. A resolution supporting the easement had been passed by the Town Board, but was not signed by Town Supervisor. After an election and a change in composition, the Town Board rescinded the resolution. The WNY Land Conservancy sued, and the Courts have refused to dismiss its action. An attempt to settle to dispute appeared to have been reached with an agreement to set aside 250 contiguous acres for Town Park purposes. The settlement was approved four to three, but Town Supervisor now requests 600 acres be set aside for the Town. If the matter is not settled, the case goes back to Judge Makowski of the Supreme Court. 80% of the area is wetlands and it was difficult putting together 250 contiguous acres of non- wetlands to meet the original settlement needs.
14) The public meeting and dinner of the Chapter is scheduled at the Eagle House, February 22, 2005 at 6:00 PM per A.Klein.
15) L. Beahan mentioned that Bruce Kirschner has scheduled a meeting in the Town of Evans for January 26, 2005 concerning the preservation of old growth Hemlocks in an area slated for development near Bennett Beach. R. Lippes brought up efforts by David Franczyk, City of the Buffalo Common Council, to protect old growth forests in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County. The City of Buffalo has a reversionary interest in lands in which the State has been attempting to sell to developers who have indicated that they will log the forest. L. Beahan will write to David Franczyk and Bruce Kirschner concerning their efforts.
16) The topic of Muir Woods in the Town of Amherst was updated by R. Lippes. Ciminelli wants to build on the property. DEC has voiced very strong objections to the development because of existing wetlands and other environmental problems. The Town Zoning Board has a meeting scheduled for March 2, 2005. Ciminelli's position is that any problems with development are purely of a zoning nature. Of the 300 acres, one half is high-quality wetlands and DEC has said it would not grant permits for development.
17) G. Ursitti submitted minutes from July 2004, August 2004 and preliminary minutes for review from September 2004.
18) L. Beahan was requested to write a letter for Atlantic Chapter Newsletter - Group Round-Up section on power relicensing
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SUPPLEMENT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FACT SHEET: NIAGARA RIVER GREENWAY CAMPAIGN
WHO WE ARE
The Niagara River Greenway Campaign is a growing coalition of environmental, sportsmen, and boating organizations that have joined forces to ensure that the recently created Niagara River Greenway fulfills its potential to safeguard the Niagara River ecosystem and develop a sustainable, 21st century regional economy.
HISTORY
The Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers is a non-profit organization that has been working to improve public waterfront access and the health of the Buffalo and Niagara rivers since 1986. Building upon the success of the 30 organization Niagara Relicensing Environmental Coalition, the Friends organized the Niagara River Greenway Campaign in response to the creation of the Niagara River Greenway Commission and the designation of funding for the Greenway under the draft Niagara Power Project Alternative License Agreement.
CAMPAIGN PLATFORM
Campaign members believe the Niagara Greenway and Niagara Power Project Alternative Licensing Agreement present a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the Niagara Region but
1. The Greenway must be GREEN
o The Greenway should recognize the global significance of the Great Lakes and the Niagara River ecosystem. Niagara Falls itself is a globally significant natural resource.
o Funded projects should protect and restore the Niagara Ecosystem [1]
o Projects should create high quality jobs for Niagara and Erie County residents in environmental restoration, ecotourism and marine based businesses
o Project construction, site design and operations should comply with green development standards and actively improve local environmental resources
o Recreation and transportation facilities should not adversely impact ecological resources
2. Local communities and citizens should actively participate in greenway decisions
o All Greenway funding should be allocated according to the plan agreed upon by local governments, agencies, community members and the commission.
o There should be clear, meaningful opportunities for citizen involvement
o Greenway projects should be consistent with local land use planning and zoning
o Greenway should promote regional coordination
3. Greenway must make economic sense
o Greenway funding should give priority to water dependent uses
o Greenway funding must not replace existing state funding levels
o Greenway funding must not be absorbed into local or county budgets
o Greenway funding must support the development of the local tax base
o Greenway funding must leverage state and federal match funding
CAMPAIGN MEMBERS (as of December 27, 2004)
1. Adirondack Mountain Club
2. Buffalo Audubon Society
3. Citizens Campaign for the Environment
4. Citizens Regional Transportation Committee
5. Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers
6. Great Lakes United
7. League of Women Voters - Buffalo/Niagara
8. Niagara County Environmental Management Council
9. Niagara Frontier Wildlife Management Council
10. Niagara Heritage Partnership
11. Niagara Musky Association
12. Niagara Waterfront Revitalization Task Force
13. Quality Quest of Grand Island
14. Sierra Club Niagara Group
1[1] For example, the Greenway Plan and projects should provide clear long-standing protection for unique, rare or threatened species and communities (as identified through a collaborative process); shoreline buffer areas for habitat restoration and improvement, nonpoint source pollution prevention; and create an environmental management system for publicly-owned lands to assure that environmental values are protected in recreational planning
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