June 2023
-Another Voice: Our waterways and communities are drowning in plastic pollution
Buffalo News; June 4 (written by Brian Smith and Jill Jedlicka)
From the column:
The proposed bill, which has received diverse support from agencies, community groups and businesses, has been years in development. In that time, the plastic problem has only gotten worse. For example, at Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s recent Spring Sweep, more than 1,500 volunteers collected 9 tons of trash from 40 sites along our waterways and shorelines in two hours. Over 80% of the litter was plastic, including more than 4,000 plastic food wrappers, more than 2,700 plastic bottles, and countless other cups and containers.
-Our Waterways and Communities are Drowning in Plastic Pollution
Buffalo Rising; June 5
May 2023
–A waterway that’s been abused and ignored for decades is getting attention
Buffalo News; May 7
From the editorial:
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, which will be using these funds to start a comprehensive cleanup of Scajaquada Creek, has its work cut out. Given its success with the Buffalo River, though, if any organization can take on such a Herculean task, this one can.
-Tonawanda Nation, environmentalists speak out against STAMP
Orleans Hub; May 12
From the article:
Margaux Valenti, attorney for the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said STAMP sits in an important area for biodiversity and the region’s ecological health.
“You’re setting this area up for disaster,” she said. “This is a grave threat to endangered species.”
-Grant awarded to help Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper monitor waterways
Buffalo News; May 20
-Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to receive federal help for Lake Erie
WGRZ/Channel 2; May 19
-$480,000 for Lake Erie protection programs led by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Niagara Frontier Publications; May 19
From the story:
“It is Waterkeeper’s intention to utilize these resources to expand our scientific knowledge on the continuing water quality impairments, and to turn that expertise into action to restore the health and resiliency of our Great Lakes community.”
-Buffalo Sewer urged to stop treating landfill wastewater
WIVB/Channel 4; May 22
From the story:
“The governments aren’t testing this,” Jedlicka said. “Nobody’s done this before, and the results were staggering. Here in Western New York, we discovered a 100% hit rate — every waterway that we tested had some form of PFOS chemical in it.”
Jedlicka said the situation has not reached a panic stage, but more action is needed.
“But these are all signals telling us that we need to act, and we need to act now, before this becomes a problem that is completely out of our control,” Jedlicka said.
-How SCOTUS decision that dealt setback to Clean Water Act could impact WNY, Great Lakes
WIVB/Channel 4; May 26
From the story
“There is absolutely a concern that this decision will negatively impact our Great Lakes and our local waterways,” Margaux Valenti, legal director for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said. “This case discounts the importance of wetlands on an ecological basis, which lay people also have trouble understanding unless you are a hydrologist or an ecologist,” Valenti said. “And it enables just what you can see with your eye to be the only thing that is protectible, and that just doesn’t make scientific sense.”
April 2023
-Buffalo naturalist lives and defines the wonder of Niagara for PBS special
Buffalo News; April 19
-Federal taxpayer money will help with Scajaquada Creek cleanup planning
WGRZ/Channel 2; April 21
From the story:
“Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Jill Jedlicka says, ‘It means that we will have the information, the roadmap to actually do the restoration project.’”
-$900K will go toward initiative to restore Scajaquada Creek
Buffalo News; April 21
-Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper embarks upon annual Earth Day ‘Spring Sweep’
Buffalo Rising; April 21
-Effort to restore Scajaquada Creek to receive hundreds of thousands in federal funding
WKBW/Channel 7; April 21
-A mixed report for Earth Day, but definitely progress
Buffalo News; April 22
From the editorial:
This is the second year for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Earth Day-timed Great Lakes Cleanup/Spring Sweep. While greenhouse gas reduction efforts could be moving at a brisker pace, there’s nothing to complain about in regard to the progress made by this hard-working environmental organization. Under BNW’s guidance, there has been continued improvement of the Buffalo River’s ability to support fish, and wildlife and the viability of its shoreline habitat, to the point where a federal “beneficial use impairment” designation is close to being removed.
Over the last two years, thanks to BNW and like-minded neighboring organizations, more than 75 tons of litter were directly removed from Great Lakes waterways. This year’s Earth Day efforts will likely remove 15-20 more tons of trash from dozens of local waterway shorelines, from Cayuga Creek in Niagara Falls to Wanakah Beach in Hamburg.
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s executive director, Jill Jedlicka, is cautiously optimistic, but cites ongoing concerns: “We have made great progress in very specific locations and waterways, but we do have a trend in the wrong direction with PFAS contamination, which is everywhere; we have a lot of stuff flowing into our waterways that shouldn’t be.” PFAS are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals.”
But on the Buffalo River, she is confident: “After 30 years of restoration, we are on track to remove the river from the EPA’s Area of Concern list entirely by 2025.”
-Waterkeeper hosts 3rd annual Spring Sweep
Buffalo State College Bengal News
-Billions of gallons of sewage still flow into Buffalo’s rivers. Can the sewer authority keep up?
Buffalo News; April 30
From the story:
“Whenever it rains or there’s a snowmelt, we know there’s an overflow. It’s pretty much a given,” said Jill Spisiak Jedlicka, executive director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, which keeps tabs on water pollution and water quality in the region.
-How are combined sewer overflows measured? It’s complicated
Buffalo News; April 30
From the story:
“But clean water advocates such as Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Spisiak Jedlicka said they want to see better data spelling out more precisely when a combined sewer overflow happens, how much sewage overflows into waterways, and the changes in those numbers over time.
“They should be able to tell you with some numbers and with some volumes, not just say, ‘Yeah, it’s getting better,’” said Jedlicka. “We have asked for that kind of information, but we get the anecdotes, we don’t get the data, we don’t get the volume. They have the numbers available to them. It’s just not packaged in a way that’s shareable to the public.
March 2023
-Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers very cool film fundraiser
Artvoice; March 3
-Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper seeks community input on master plan for Gill Creek
WNY Papers; March 7
-Bill Hilts Jr.: Inland Stream Report as April 1 Trout Opener Approaches
Buffalo News; March 25
-Town Hall: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper speaks about protecting our region’s clean water
WGRZ/Channel 2; March 21
-Canada ups commitment to Great Lakes, but some wonder: Is it too late and a loonie short?
Buffalo News; March 27
February 2023
-Island students participate in environmental summit
WNY Papers; Feb. 18
-Great Lakes Untamed
Buffalo Rising; Feb. 24
January 2023
-Study aims to protect Buffalo shorelines from major storm events
WKBW/Channel 7; Jan. 12
-Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper assesses blizzard’s impact on shoreline
Spectrum News; Jan. 13
-Planning council urges parkway for Scajaquada corridor: ‘Clear that the expressway was outdated’
Buffalo News; Jan. 17
-Toxins found in fish in Lake Erie, highest in the country
WKBW/Channel 7; Jan. 25
-Plans for Scajaquada Corridor one step closer to becoming reality
WKBW/Channel 7; Jan. 25
-Another Voice: Downgrading the Scajaquada Expressway brings multiple benefits
Buffalo News; Jan. 29
December 2022
-Federal grant boosts Centennial Park’s shoreline improvements
Buffalo News; Dec 6
-American Fundraising Foundation announces Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper as newest recipient of Golden Pear Grant
WNY Papers; Dec 12
Older Stories
DEC and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to Hold Virtual Outreach on Aug. 18 for Buffalo River AOC, August 9, 2022, NYSDEC
USACE Buffalo District Constructs Emerald Shiner Passage Structure, August 9, 2022, US ACE Army
Cayuga Creek restoration project in Town of Niagara addresses flooding, creek improvements, August 5, 2022, WNY Papers
Improvements coming to a number of Erie County parks, August 3, 2022, Spectrum News
Ralph Wilson Centennial Park Breaks Ground in Boston, August 1, 2022, Construction Review
Brick by Brick Infrastructure, July 29, 2022, Business First
Governor Hochul Announces Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy City Buffalo and Partners, July 19, 2022, Business First
The Editorial Board: Partnerships are key with the Ralph Wilson Park and Cars Sharing Main Street projects, July 28, 2022, Buffalo News
Niagara River Greenway Presents the 16th Annual Paddles Up Niagara, July 28, 2022, Buffalo Rising
Eastern spiny softshell turtle officially spotted at Ellicott Creek Park for first time in 30 years, July 26, 2022, WGRZ
Arts for Healing, July 21, 2022, WGRZ
Ralph Wilson Park, July 19, 2022, Buffalo Rising
Here’s What’s Coming To Buffalos Waterfront at 110 Million Remake of Centennial Park, July 19, 2022, Buffalo News
After years of planning, construction to start on $110 million Wilson Centennial Park project, July 19, 2022, Buffalo News
BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER AND CONGRESSMAN BRIAN HIGGINS ANNOUNCE NEW SEABIN™ TECHNOLOGY AT BUFFALO HARBOR STATE PARK WITH THE COUNCIL OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION AND NYS PARKS, July 11, 2022, Higgins
Technology to help remove trash along Buffalo’s waterfront, July 9, 2022, WGRZ
Local Kestrel Restoration Saving Farmland Raptors one nest Boz at a Time, June 16, 2022, WGRZ
The Land Conservancy Joins Community Partners to Celebrate Niagara Gorge at Gorgefest, June 14, 2022, WNY Papers
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper received $767,000 to clean up Hyde Park in Niagara Falls, June 13, 2022, WBFO
RestoreCorps Plug Planting Week June 2022, June 10, 2022, ArtVoice
Celebrate the Niagara Gorge at GorgeFest, June 7, 2022, Buffalo Rising
$525K public access project completed at Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park, June 6, 2022, WGRZ
The Newly Renovated Red Jacket Riverfront Natural Habitat Park, June 6, 2022, Buffalo Rising
Red Jacket Park, with its ‘sweeping views,’ becomes newest Buffalo Blueway, June 6, 2022, Buffalo News
DEC’s Reinstein Woods Receives $76,000 Watershed Education Grant, May 16, 2022, DEC
DEC’s Reinstein Woods receives $76,000 Watershed Education Grant, May 16, 2022, Finger Lakes 1
WATERKEEPER WEEKEND, May 11, 2022, ArtVoice
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo announces grant awards from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. legacy funds, May 10, 2022, Niagara Frontier Publications
The Editorial Board: Progress revs up on the waterfront, May 9, 2022, Buffalo News
Public asked to weigh in on Scajaquada Corridor options that would have generational impact, May 3, 2022, Buffalo News
“Buffalo’s Outer Harbor – What’s to Love?”, April 28, 2022, Buffalo Rising
The Editorial Board: Big clean-up underscores the need for further action – and attitude adjustment, April 26, 2022, Buffalo News
Buffalo Police Officers Chip In To Help Civic Groups With Spring Cleanup At Parks, April 25, 2022, Shore News
Volunteers haul away tons of debris – even a catfish – from local waterways, April 23, 2022, Hilbert College
Clean Sweep along local waterways this Earth Day weekend, April 23, 2022, WKBW
Residents to celebrate Earth Day with ‘Clean UP’ Grand Island, April 23, 2022, Niagara Frontier Publications
How the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper keeps our resources clean, April 22, 2022, WIVB
NIH grant helps teens perform genome sequencing, April 19, 2022, UB
[BN] Things To Do newsletter April 19, 2022: The Eagles, costume parties, Earth Day clean-ups, April 19, 2022, Buffalo News
Guide to Earth Day Events in Buffalo, April 13, 2022, Step Out Buffalo
Higgins, Scanlon and Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers announce riverwalk study, April 9, 2022, WIVB
Good Morning, Buffalo: Hochul eyes re-election with budget that pleases powerful interests, annoys Democrats, April 9, 2022, Buffalo News
HIGGINS, SCANLON & BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER ANNOUNCE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR BUFFALO RIVERWALK, April 8, 2022, Higgins
Feasibility study planned for proposed ‘Buffalo Riverwalk’, April 8, 2022, Buffalo News
City of Buffalo will fund $50,000 feasibility study for riverwalk project, April 8, 2022 WGRZ
Wilson grant fosters biodiversity, April 6, 2022, Niagara Gazette
UB Sustainability provides a month of sustainable activities, April 6, 2022, UB Spectrum
Study to assess effects of climate change on buffalo shoreline we are not immune here, March 31, 2022, Buffalo News
The editorial board land water projects serve the regions interests in a healthy environment, March 30, 2022, Buffalo News
Working towards restoring and protecting a critical forested wetland site along Cayuga Creek, March 28, 2022, Buffalo Rising
Good morning: Buffalo as bail debate persists data shows few rearrested in Buffalo for Violent, March 28, 2022, Buffalo News
Waterkeeper project to reduce floods protect habitat in town of Niagara, March 27, 2022, Buffalo News
More than 2 million coming to help restore Cayuga Creek, March 23, 2022, Spectrum News
Section 8 Program Re-opens 2m Cayuga Creek Project Begins, March 23, 2022, Patch
Town of Niagara Embarks Cayuga Creek Restoration Project Conservation, March 22, 2022, WGRZ
Four WNY Sites Are Named as Part of a Billion Dollar Investment To Clean Up Great Lakes Waterways, February 18, 2022, Higgins
Four WNY sites are named as part of a billion dollar investment to clean up Great Lakes waterways, February 18, 2022, WBFO
Congressman Higgins Announces Great Lakes Investments, February 18, 2022, Spectrum News
New Great Lakes Funding Puts Finish Line in Sight for Buffalo River, February 18, 2022, Spectrum News
Buffalo Creek Review to Include Flooding Solutions, February 18, 2022, WKBW
Speakers to Share Great Lakes Stories at Groups Third Virtual Event, February 22, 2022, The News Herald
Local Great Lakes Areas of Concern to beCleaned Up by 2030, February 17, 2022, Buffalo news
EPA Announces 1 Billion in Funding to Restore and Protect Great Lakes Waterways, February 17, 2022, WKBW
Birders Flock to Artpark for Event, February 11, 2022, Niagara Gazette
Crane Watch Aquarium of Niagara Looks Next Door for 45 Million Expansion, February 8, 2022, WGRZ
Letter Plans for the Outer Harbor Have Been Overly Exaggerated, January 31, 2022, Buffalo News
Another voice:Rush to Raze Grain Elevator Reflects Lessons Unlearned, January 25, 2022, Buffalo News
Top iPost story of the year, January 11, 2022, Investigative Post
