LEWPA was awarded funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to implement water quality improvement and protection projects in the watershed. Check out the latest annual report from 2024. Below is a graphic showing the results of projects recently completed in the first year under the second contract between NYSDEC and LEWPA.
Find out more about past funding here through the EPF.
LEWPA also participates in statewide Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) efforts, as well as bi-national Lake Erie efforts in order to create a cohesive approach to water quality issues and ensure efficient use of resources. LEWPA coordinates funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for nearshore health projects in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed. Projects include:
- Constructed green infrastructure bioswales and permeable pavement at Lake Erie Beach and Point Gratiot Park to reduce polluted stormwater runoff at these beaches.
- Installing an engineered wetland and floodplain benches to capture and treat stormwater runoff at Wright Park Beach and Main Street Beach (Dunkirk).
- Implementing streambank stabilization, invasive species control, debris removal, and green infrastructure along Muddy Creek (Evans) to reduce flooding and contamination at Lake Erie Beach.
- Engineering and implementation of streambank stabilization and preventing agricultural runoff in the Cattaraugus Creek watershed.
Phase 3 of a Watershed Management Planning endeavor funded by the NYS Department of State is underway to complete a nine-element watershed management plan (9E Plan) for the region.
The LEWPA Water Resource Board includes members from Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie counties and meets quarterly (February, May, August, November) to discuss water-related issues.
For more information, contact your county's Soil and Water Conservation District:
Cattaraugus County | Jake Kelly - (716) 350-4010 8 Martha Street Ellicottville, NY 14731 |
Chautauqua County | Dave Spann - (716) 664-2351 3542 Turner Road Jamestown, NY 14701 |
Erie County | Mark Gaston - (716) 652-8480 50 Commerce Way East Aurora, NY 14052 |