Current LEWPA Activities

LEWPA was awarded funding from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through the Environmental Protection Fund to implement water quality improvement and protection projects in the watershed, conduct watershed planning, and establish a water quality monitoring program. Cumulative results for four years of funding are shown in the graphic. You can see a map below of the projects that have been completed with those four years of funding.

View the latest annual report through the end of 2023

Find out more about past funding here

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. View the slides from a presentation on Lake Erie beach projects to the GLAA participants. Projects include:

1. Constructing green infrastructure bioswales and permeable pavement at Lake Erie Beach (Evans) and Point Gratiot Park (Dunkirk) to reduce polluted stormwater runoff at these beaches.
2. Installing an engineered wetland and floodplain benches to capture and treat stormwater runoff at Wright Park Beach and Main Street Beach (Dunkirk).
3. Implementing streambank stabilization, invasive species control, debris removal, and green infrastructure along Muddy Creek (Evans) to reduce flooding and contamination at Lake Erie Beach (Evans).

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: