Public comment period opens for Greenway projects

The Niagara River Greenway Commission announced the public comment period has opened for the 42^nd round of projects, which will be considered at its meeting Jan. 20, 2015.

Projects are currently posted at www.niagaragreenway.org. Public comment will be accepted until Jan. 10. Comments may be submitted either at the website or by hard copy to the Greenway Commission at 2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island, NY 14072.

Projects in for consistency review include:

•Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy-Cazenovia Park - shoreline and trails rehabilitation project

•Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy-Riverside Park - south loop trail project

•City of Tonawanda - Tonawanda intermodal transit hub

•Old 1st Ward Community Association Inc.- Riverworks public access pedestrian wharf and docks

Once the public comment period has ended, the Greenway Commission will review projects and, on Jan. 20, vote on the consistency of the projects in relation to the award-winning Niagara River Greenway Plan. Project sponsors will then be notified in writing of the commission's findings, along with copies of the public's comments. It is then the responsibility of the project sponsor to pursue funding with entities that award support. Funding requests can be made through local, state and federal agencies, foundations and various Greenway standing committees.

To review the final Niagara River Greenway Plan and GEIS, or to learn more information about the commission, visit www.niagaragreenway.org.

The Niagara River Greenway Commission is a public benefit corporation established by Chapter 460 of the laws of 2004, and charged with the planning and development of a greenway of interconnected parks, river access points and waterfront trails along the Niagara River from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario at the site of the historic Fort Niagara.