Environmental Services

The Division of Environmental Compliance Services develops and implements programs in partnership with a variety of stakeholders to address the pressing environmental needs and concerns of the region. The Division leads and supports the following programs and initiatives:

Changed

05/06/2022 - 10:10 am

Brownfield & Urban Redevelopment

The OED brownfield services offers technical assistance and financing tools to encourage redevelopment of brownfield sites.

Climate Action & Sustainability

Erie County is pursuing sustainability initiatives focusing on energy reduction and resource conservation projects that will decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prevent pollution, reduce waste, and save money throughout the County’s daily operations.

Environmental Management Council

A group of volunteers appointed by the County Executive to advise county government regarding environmental issues impacting Erie County and its residents. Volunteers represent local municipalities, as well as other public and private agencies & organizations operating within the county dedicated to protecting our natural environment and resources.

Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board

The Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board consists of 12 members, residents of the County of Erie, including representatives of sports and recreational fishing and various fields of marine and aquatic sciences. The board advises the department on matters concerning protection, development, access to fisheries, and related issues. Visit the Erie and Niagara Counties Fishing Guide for the WNY Hot Spot Fishing Map and more information about the Fisheries Advisory Board.

Erie County Water Quality Committee

The Erie County Water Quality Committee's (ECWQC) mission is to protect and improve the quality of both surface and groundwater for their intended uses, primarily through the reduction of nonpoint source pollution and by focusing on Erie County water-related issues. For more information, please visit the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District's ECWQC website. For meeting information, please visit the upcoming meetings webpage.

Habitat Restoration

Erie County's natural habitat "pocket parks" are situated along the Buffalo River, which is designated as a toxic water body, or “Area of Concern” (AOC). The river has undergone extensive cleanup over the last several years. As part of the recovery effort, US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has invested millions of dollars in shoreline and habitat restoration to revive a healthy ecosystem.

Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites

The Division provides planning and technical support for the County's inactive hazardous waste sites and participates in a number of coalitions organized to address these sites including the Coalition Against Nuclear Materials in Tonawanda and the West Valley Citizen's Task Force. For more information, please visit the West Valley Citizen's Task Force website.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis)

Invasive Species

Non-native invasive species have long impacted Western New York. Click the link for more information about some of the newest invasive species in the area area.

Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance

The mission of the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance (LEWPA) is to foster collaboration and partnerships within the watershed to address regional water quality and quantity concerns and in doing so, protect and enhance our Lake Erie resource. The Alliance includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie counties and is currently working on developing a regional Niagara River Lake Erie Watershed Management Plan.

Public Outreach

The Division of Environmental Compliance staff are available to provide presentations to community groups and organizations on pertinent environmental subjects.

Rain Barrel Painting Contest

The Rain Barrel Painting Contest for schools and student-based community groups in Erie and Niagara counties is held annually in honor of Earth Day! All are encouraged to enter as a team, either through a class or an after-school program, to design and paint a rain barrel provided by the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo, Inc. All participating schools will receive their final painted rain barrels to use, donate or raffle as desired.

Single-Use Bag Pollution

Find out why the Erie County Environmental Management Council (EMC) is concerned about pollution created by this ongoing problem.

Waste Management

Erie County provides municipalities, businesses, school districts, and residents with assistance for solid waste management, disposal, recycling and reporting. They target problematic and priority waste streams such as household hazardous waste, waste electronics, and pharmaceutical waste.

Western New York Stormwater Coalition

The Western New York Stormwater Coalition (WNYSC) is a forum for regulated communities to share resources and work in partnership toward compliance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Phase II Stormwater requirements including outreach and education. Find out how you can prevent stormwater pollution.

Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable

The WNY Sustainable Business Roundtable (WNYSBR) is a “business-driven:” members are businesses and organizations that have signed a pledge to create and implement a sustainability plan. Almost 75 businesses in the region are members.

Erie County supports the WNYSBR in two distinct ways: Erie County has received US Environmental Protection Agency grants that helped to establish and continue to support the Roundtable, and Erie County serves on the WNYSBR’s Board of Directors. The County has also signed the WNYSBR pledge and, thus, is a member.

The WNYSBR holds monthly events, such as meetings, workshops, and expos, to assist its members with their “sustainability journey.”