Niagara Watershed Alliance targets Great Lakes protection

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, June 20, 2009

Amid growing concern over the dangers presented to the Great Lakes by the continued storage and importation of hazardous and radioactive waste within the Great Lakes basin, local elected and appointed officials and environmentalists have joined forces and established the Niagara Watershed Alliance.

The Niagara Watershed Alliance is a newly formed bi-partisan coalition dedicated to the protection of one of the world’s greatest natural resources, the waters of the Great Lakes, and the elimination of the storage and disposal of radioactive and hazardous waste within the Niagara Watershed Region.

“We recognize and appreciate the efforts and achievements of the environmental groups and elected officials who have devoted countless hours and energy to resolving this issue,” said Paulette Glasgow, outreach chair. “It is our hope that an ongoing program of collaboration and education will lead to increased support and success. That through the strength that numbers bring, the Niagara Watershed Alliance will compliment our regions other environment groups.”

Area officials who have joined the alliance include: Supervisor Fred Newlin, Town of Lewiston; Mayor Neil Riordan, Village of Youngstown; Clyde Burmaster, vice chairman of the Niagara County Legislature and 13th District Niagara County legislator; Daniel Stapelton, director, Niagara County Health Department; James Devald, director, Environmental Health, Niagara County Health Department; Mayor Paul Dyster, City of Niagara Falls; Walt Garrow of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Restoration Advisory Board; Matt Patterson of the Tuscarora Nation; area residents Vincent Agnello, Bill Choboy, Bob Giannetti, Glasgow, and others.

The Niagara Watershed Alliance will be holding a public forum regarding the Niagara watershed and Great Lakes basin entitled, “What Is A Watershed? How Does It Affect Me?” The forum will be held, Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m., in St. Vincent’s Hall, fourth floor, on the Niagara University campus.

The public is welcome to attend and participate.

For more information, contact the Niagara Watershed Alliance, P.O. Box 265, Youngstown, NY 14174; or visit http://www.had-e-nuff.com.