Nowakowski Joins Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper to ‘Open’ WNY Water Season and Announce Expanded Jurisdiction to Pennsylvania Border on 35th Anniversary

New Lake Erie and Niagara River watershed boundaries. (Images provided by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper)

Monday May 20, 2024 4:05 p.m.

Press release and images from Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper (BNW) was joined Monday by Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski to recognize the opening of Western New York’s water season while announcing an expansion major milestone in the geographical jurisdiction of the BNW on the occasion of its 35th anniversary.

The new jurisdictional area in which the organization will expand its impact includes the entire eastern shore of Lake Erie and many communities located in the expanded watershed up to the Pennsylvania border.

In describing the decision to officially expand the geography, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said, “This action allows us to better integrate and engage the many diverse voices of Western Brunswick. New York, so our region can be better coordinated around clean water. Western New Yorkers are all residents of the Great Lakes who share these resources and share the same future challenges. We are excited to collaborate with more WNY residents through advocacy, volunteer events, idea sharing, and implementing projects to benefit our freshwater and ecosystems.

Nowakowski said, “Today marks an important milestone for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and our community, as their expanded jurisdiction signifies a bold step toward more comprehensive water management in Western New York. As we celebrate their 35th anniversary, I am proud to stand alongside and support an organization that exemplifies environmental leadership and dedication, and I am excited to see continued progress in preserving our water resources for generations future.

While Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is known for its leadership role in restoring the Buffalo River and improving ecosystems in Western New York over the past 35 years, Jedlicka outlined the top 10 challenges ongoing and the work that the organization and the community must prioritize over the years to:

√ Protect our Great Lakes by building community capacity and implementing coastal resilience projects

√ Continuous water quality monitoring to detect PFAS, emerging contaminants and other threats

√ Advocate for local, state and federal resources for investments in water infrastructure such as sewers, shorelines and living ecosystems

√ Collect data and advocate for solutions to eliminate plastic pollution

√ Educate the next generation to become local stewards of our Great Lakes and local waterways

√ Restore fish and wildlife habitat, open spaces and create green connections between our community and the natural environment,

√ Mitigate the harmful impacts of stormwater and nutrient runoff on our waterways

√ Clean up existing pollution and prevent contamination of our shorelines and waterways

√ Implement water protection and restoration strategies with municipalities across our new watershed.

√ Create equitable access to our waterways for all members of our WNY community

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper invites the entire community to join these efforts through volunteer programs, training and education. To learn more about how to get involved, visit our website at bnwaterkeeper.org/volunteer or social media on all major platforms: @bnwaterkeeper. More information about the Watershed Jurisdiction Expansion and Action Plan can be found at https://bnwaterkeeper.org/actionplan/.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper celebrates its 35th anniversary in operation with an evening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum on Tuesday, May 21. The evening will include food, drinks, music by Vibrant Strings and awards for outstanding water advocates, including a lifetime achievement award. given to former Congressman Brian Higgins. Sponsors of the celebratory event include Gross Shuman PC, The Johnston Family Foundation, Labatt USA, Lawley, M&T Bank, Rich Products, The David & Joan Rogers Foundation, Scott Lawn Yard and UBS Financial Services Inc.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is a community-based, non-profit organization that protects and restores our waters and surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. For more than 35 years, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been Western New York’s freshwater steward, protecting clean water, restoring healthy ecosystems, connecting people to water, and inspiring sustainable economic growth and community engagement. For more information about the Spring Sweep, visit www.bnwaterkeeper.org/cleanup.

Boundaries of the watershed of the ancient Niagara River. (Images provided by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper)

New Lake Erie and Niagara River watershed boundaries. (Images provided by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper)