Porter declares itself lead agency on state LWRP

15 projects now under consideration

Staff Reports

The Town of Porter took further steps this week toward working as part of the state’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program in Niagara County by declaring itself as a lead agency for the project.

In a meeting Monday with Supervisor John “Duffy” Johnston and Porter Town Board members, Wendy Salvati of WWS Planning of Clarence reviewed a number of land and water uses under consideration, as well as the proposed projects contained in the town’s LWRP footprint under Section IV. Under the proposed Water Revitalization Area, the Porter LWRP includes the Lake Ontario shoreline and certain land areas from the Porter-Town of Wilson boundary west to Fort Niagara State Park, and waterfront areas south along the Niagara River, exclusive of the Village of Youngstown, to the Lewiston town line.

In her discussion on Section IV, Salvati outlined 15 projects now under consideration as part of the town’s LWRP. Highlights include:

•Further work on the design, construction and improvements to the Lower River Road pedestrian trail extending from Lewiston along the lower river out to the lakeshore.

•Feasibility studies toward developing a multiuse trail between New York State Parks in the area – notably Fort Niagara State Park and Four Mile Creek State Park.

•Feasibility studies toward establishing access between Four Mile Creek State Park and Porter on the Lake Town Park to the east.

•Improvements to Porter on the Lake Town Park.

•Improved public use of Four Mile Creek State Park.

•Community gateways and improved Great Lakes Seaway Trail recognition measures.

•Evaluation of Six Mile Creek as a state-designated significant coastal and fish wildlife habitat.

•Creek and stream corridor protection along the lakeshore areas.

•An evaluation of the total maximum daily load for Lake Ontario and the Niagara River, to be conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

•An evaluation study of the erosion risk and protection measures along the Lake Ontario shore areas, also to be conducted by DEC.

•Erosion protection at Fort Niagara Beach, portions of which are in the process of being addressed by the town.

•A stormwater inflow and infiltration study involving the town and the Village of Youngstown working with the Town of Village of Lewiston.

•Future environmental protection workshops.

With the WWS Planning report now complete, Salvati said that, as lead agency, Porter Town Board members would pursue the document toward approval and initiate various measures under the State Environmental Quality Review process over the next 60 days.

Town Grant Writer Bernie Rotella indicated Monday the town would move toward finalizing the measure next month.

“After the Town Board review, we will request a resolution to adopt this plan in March,” he said.

 A public hearing would follow.

“If all goes as planned it can hopefully be wrapped up by June 2020,” Salvati said.