State Office of Parks and New York Power Authority Announce Funding for Niagara River Greenway Commission

Contacts:
Eileen Larrabee (OPRHP)
518-486-1868

Connie Cullen (NYPA)
914-390-8196
connie.cullen@nypa.gov

August 7, 2007   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash and New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Kelley, today announced that each agency will provide $80,000 to the Niagara River Greenway Commission for a total of $160,000.   

“State Parks continues to value the Commission’s vital role in advancing the development of the Niagara River Greenway.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Commission and our state agency partners in fulfilling the important goals of the Niagara Greenway Commission,” Ash said. 

“The Niagara River Greenway Commission has a challenging, yet exciting, job ahead and the Power Authority is pleased to provide this initial funding so the Commission has the resources to get the best possible start with the many, diverse tasks involved,” said Roger Kelley, president and chief executive officer, NYPA.  

The Niagara River Greenway Commission was established by legislation in 2004 to aid in the planning and development of the Niagara River Greenway.  The 14 member commission was appointed to begin planning for the creation of a new Niagara River Greenway stretching from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.  The purpose of the commission is to develop a trail system, balance economic growth that compliments the natural and scenic environment, preservation, and enhancement of natural resources, and the celebration of the region’s cultural and industrial heritage. 

Earlier this spring, Commissioner Ash approved the plan for the Niagara River Greenway to link parks, recreation areas and trails in communities located along the Niagara River in Erie and Niagara Counties.  She noted that the Niagara River Greenway is a significant ecological and cultural resource, and said that the Commission’s plan “will protect many of the many natural treasures along the waterfront, and allow local communities to enhance the recreational, education and cultural opportunities to be found along the Greenway.” 

In 2004, NYPA provided $200,000 to aid in the planning and development of the Greenway.  The Power Authority is also committed to provide $9 million annually to Greenway projects in Niagara and Erie Counties for the term of a new 50-year license for the Niagara Power Project, issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last March.     

The boundary of the Niagara River Greenway follows municipal lines and encompasses 13 municipalities, including Porter, Youngstown, Lewiston (Town and Village), Niagara, Niagara Falls, Wheatfield, North Tonawanda, Grand Island, Tonawanda (City and Town), Kenmore and Buffalo.

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