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Governor
Cuomo Announces Launch of Buffalo Billion II Initiative
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to
Begin Project to ‘Restore the Gorge’ in Niagara Falls
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Work Will Control Invasive Species
in the Niagara Gorge
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Project Complements Other State
Investments in Niagara Falls State Park
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and Niagara Falls’ Downtown District
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Niagara
Falls, NY – February 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
has announced that work will begin for on-the-ground ecological restoration
work to “Restore the Gorge” in Niagara Falls. Beginning in February, the
Western New York Land Conservancy will
begin the two-year mission to control invasive species and plant native
trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers in the Niagara Gorge from the Niagara
Gorge Discovery Center to Devil’s Hole State Park. The $2.1 million project
is supported by a variety of State funds, including Buffalo Billion Phase
II. It complements Governor Cuomo’s $70 million revitalization of Niagara
Falls State Park and other strategic state investments to strengthen the
tourism industry in downtown Niagara Falls.
“The
Niagara Gorge is central to the natural beauty of the world-class attraction
Niagara Falls,” Governor Cuomo said. “The ecological restoration of this
biologically diverse habitat goes hand in hand with our strategic investments
that are reinvigorating tourism in Niagara Falls and our dedication to
revitalizing the region.”
The
Western New York Land Conservancy has been leading efforts to restore and
enhance the natural habitat on 33 acres of land along the gorge with funding
from the New York Power Authority via the Niagara Greenway Commission Ecological
Standing Committee. With the addition of Buffalo Billion Phase II funding,
the Land Conservancy will be able to remove invasive species and restore
an additional 125 acres within the gorge and along the rim from Whirlpool
State Park to Devil’s Hole State Park. This project will transform the
ecological health of the Niagara River Gorge and Rim and enhance the visitors’
experience at Niagara Falls.
As
one of the most biologically diverse places on the Great Lakes, the Niagara
Gorge is home to unique ecological communities including many rare plants,
and is also part of a globally significant Important Bird Area. The lower
Niagara River rapids are important spawning grounds for freshwater fish
including threatened Lake Sturgeon.
Unfortunately,
the health of this sensitive environment has been harmed by many factors,
especially non-native invasive plants. The Land Conservancy has hired Applied
Ecological Services to remove harmful invasive plants like Common Buckthorn,
Tree-of-Heaven and Phragmites for the first phase of the project. These
invasive species will be replaced with beneficial natives like oak trees,
ninebark shrubs and Canada Anemone.
“The
State’s investment through the Buffalo Billion to control invasive species
and plant native trees, shrubbery, grass, and flowers in the Niagara River
Gorge will enhance and restore one of the most majestic natural wonders
of the world,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke at today’s
announcement. “The Governor’s unprecedented commitment to this project
builds on the State’s multi-million dollar investments to promote Niagara
Falls as a world-class tourist destination.”
Land
Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Smith said, “Today we celebrate an
opportunity for the world to rediscover the magic of the Niagara Gorge
as a vital and magnificent window on Niagara Falls. The Land Conservancy’s
work will reweave the diverse and complex fabric of life that blankets
the gorge. This tapestry of cedars and ferns, asters and little blue stem
grasses are the native plants that feed the wildlife we love, clean our
fresh water and support the pollinators that put food on our table. They
are the foundation for our mysterious web of life. This is the story we
can share with everyone who visits the gorge.”
This
is just one of the projects New York State has committed to as it works
to encourage the City of Niagara Falls’ true potential as a world-class
tourist destination. Other projects undertaken by the State $70 million
in recent renovations to Niagara Falls State Park; $62 million dedicated
to the removal of underused expressway segments; multiple completed, in
progress and planned hotel projects; Niagara Falls Redevelopment, which
involves the acquisition of a number of key underutilized properties within
a city block of Niagara Falls State Park for mixed-use development; and
$240 million in public and private development in downtown Niagara Falls.
This
project is supported by $1 million from Buffalo Billion Phase II, nearly
$1 million from Niagara River Greenway Commission’s Greenway Ecological
Standing Committee and a $100,000 grant from Oath Community Benefit Fund
for Niagara County by the Empire State Development. Land in the project
area is owned by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and by the New York
State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).
City
of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, “Today marks the first day in
a significant process to protect and restore one of our region’s most valuable
assets. With $1 million in Buffalo Billion Phase II funding dedicated to
enhancing our ecosystem for wildlife and visitors alike, Governor Cuomo’s
latest investment into the City of Niagara Falls will have a transformative
impact for years to come.”
Empire
State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said,
“Governor Cuomo, through the Buffalo Billion and many other state investments,
has made the City of Niagara Falls one of his signature priorities. The
work being done in the Niagara Gorge will expand improvements to the state
parks and surrounding area and further establish Niagara Falls as a world-class
tourism destination.”
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Commissioner
Rose Harvey said, “We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and the Land Conservancy
for their commitment to the Niagara Gorge. It is a very special place that
requires careful stewardship. A revitalized Niagara Gorge will certainly
complement our investments in nearby state parks that will further deepen
the visitor experience.”
NYPA
Chairman John Koelmel said, “NYPA is committed to generating clean, renewable
energy while preserving natural resources and supporting the expansion
of space for outdoor recreation. The restoration of the habitat in the
Niagara Gorge is a smart investment that will continue to bolster the transformation
of the Niagara Falls area into an even more valued ecological asset, and
further boost the tourism potential of the entire region. The project is
an excellent use of land owned by NYPA coupled with funding committed through
the Niagara River Greenway Fund Ecological Standing Committee.”
Niagara
River Greenway Ecological Standing Committee Co-Chair Tim DePriest said,
“The restoration of the Niagara Gorge is a great step forward in the conservation
of one of New York State’s ecological treasures and advances the fundamental
goals of the Niagara River Greenway Plan. The Greenway Ecological Standing
Committee is proud to support this effort and is confident in the abilities
of the Western New York Land Conservancy to bring success to this ambitious
project, just as they have demonstrated with their other Greenway projects.”
Congressman
Brian Higgins said, “The Niagara Gorge is a majestic natural destination
which provides an experience and vistas like none other. Effort led by
Western New York Land Conservancy to restore the gorge will provide lasting
ecological and economical returns for years to come.”
Senator
Rob Ortt said, “Ensuring we do everything possible to preserve the incredible
ecosystem surrounding the Niagara Gorge is vitally important for conservation
and economic vitality. The invasive species present in the gorge threatens
the natural beauty as well as the lifespan of plant and animal species
native to our area. This conservation effort is a necessary project to
safeguard our natural wonder and I am happy to see a joint effort put forth
by state agencies to combat this issue.”
Assemblyman
Angelo Morinello said, “I applaud the Governor and the Western New York
Land Conservancy on their land preservation work through the ‘Restore the
Gorge’ project. The Niagara Gorge is an ecological treasure in western
New York’s backyard, and I’m encouraged by the effort to restore this natural
beauty. With continued efforts to preserve state land, we can incentivize
increased tourism and conserve New York’s natural wonders for all to see
and enjoy.”
During
the two-year project, there will be trail closures for the safety of visitors
to this area in the Niagara Gorge. Trail closures will be temporary and
intermittent while crews are working in areas that may cause rocks or debris
to fall. These closures will only occur during daytime hours on weekdays
and trails will not be closed on evenings or weekends. A list of closed
trails can be found
here.
To
learn more about this project and what individuals can do like planting
native plants on their own property, the Land Conservancy will host a talk
by nationally renowned, native plant expert Doug Tallamy at the New York
Power Vista on Friday, March 16. Details on this talk at www.wnylc.org.
The
Western New York Land Conservancy is a regional, not-for-profit
land trust that permanently protects land with significant conservation
value in Western New York for future generations. The Land Conservancy
envisions a future in which open spaces, working lands, wildlife habitat
and scenic beauty are cherished and protected as part of the landscape
and character of Western New York. The Land Conservancy is accredited by
the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and is one of 1,700 land trusts
nationwide, including 90 in New York State. Land trusts have protected
40 million acres over the last 20 years. For more information on upcoming
events, volunteer opportunities, or the mission of the Western New York
Land Conservancy, please call 716-687-1225 or visit www.wnylc.org.
Pictures
and Maps of the Gorge Can be Found
Here
Source
Document
Media
Contact:
Press
Office
518-474-8418
Press.Office@exec.ny.gov |