Grisanti delivers $200,000 for Orchard Park

Funding will help address environmental concerns at Green Lake Dam in Yates Park

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti, who serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, has announced that, after working with town officials in Orchard Park, he has been able to secure $200,000 to help replace Green Lake Dam.

Green Lake Dam was recently reclassified by the state Department of Environmental Conservation from an intermediate hazard to a high hazard, which drew concerns from many residents and community stakeholders in Orchard Park.

"The re-classification of Green Lake Dam is troubling for the residents of Orchard Park," Grisanti said. "Green Lake Dam needs to be reconstructed immediately. The funds I was able to secure from the Environmental Protection Fund will help do just that."

Orchard Park Council Member Eugene Majchrzak and Town Engineer Wayne Bieler recently traveled to Albany to meet with Grisanti regarding the problems at Green Lake Dam.

"We need to start this project now," Majchrzak said. "The longer we wait, the greater the risk and the higher the cost. It is the right thing to do and we are grateful for Sen. Grisanti's help."

"Councilmember Majchrzak brought to my attention the issues with Green Lake Dam and how it was impacting the community here in Orchard Park," Grisanti said. "I was happy to work together with him and other town officials to ensure this problem is addressed."

If the Green Lake Dam in Orchard Park was to fail, it could result in "widespread or serious damage to the area, meaning possible loss of human life or widespread substantial economic loss is likely," said the DEC's changed designation.