BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is getting $250,000 in New York State funds to help in the efforts to clean and protect the quality of Western New York waterways.
State leaders say pollution has impacted the health of waterways such as Lake Erie and the Buffalo River over the years, and this funding will give the group a better idea of what work needs to be done to improve the water quality.
With better resources for collecting data and spreading awareness, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper hopes to build on the work they've done in the past.
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper executive director Jill Jedlicka said more must be done to protect waterways.
"Though we have made progress on addressing legacy contamination, we continue to try to stay ahead of current and emerging pollution such as E. Coli from sewer overflows, P Foss, microplastics and nutrients," she said. "In addition, the wild card of climate change and the increasing risks and impacts we are already seeing on our aging infrastructure and shorelines is a call to action for our community to become more resilient."
In addition, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper wants to better plan for and respond to extreme weather events.
New York State senators Tim Kennedy and Sean Ryan and Buffalo Common Council member Jon Rivera were on hand Friday for the announcement of the state funding.
"We know that focusing resources toward improving our waterways is a winning formula for Western New York’s economy," Ryan said. "Reversing years of pollution and disinvestment has been a monumental task, but thankfully we have had Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper leading the way."
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