2. Our Mission Protect water quality and quantity for present and future
generations while connecting people to water
Celebrating 26 Years

3. Our Mission Great Lakes Basin 40 million people
95% N. America’s fresh water
Worlds largest freshwater system
4th largest global economy
1.5 million jobs
$62 Billion in wages
Riverkeeper’s story
25 yrs
Founded by UB professions and community organizers
5th largest waterkeeper
Our Mission

4. Riverkeeper’s story
25 yrs
Founded by UB professions and community organizers
5th largest waterkeeper

5. "The Buffalo River is a repulsive holding basin for industrial and municipal wastes, it is devoid of oxygen and almost sterile..."
Riverkeeper’s story
25 yrs
Founded by UB professions and community organizers
5th largest waterkeeper
Our Mission

6. Riverkeeper’s story
25 yrs
Founded by UB professions and community organizers
5th largest waterkeeper
Our Mission
Protect water quality and quantity for present and future generations while connecting people to water

7. Cleaning Up Our Industrial Past Buffalo River Restoration Partnership

8. Primary Contributors to Water Quality Impairment
Combined Sewer Overflows
Sanitary Sewer Overflows
MS4s (Stormwater Run-off)
Agricultural Operations
Historic Contamination (Brownfields)
Thermal Increases
Erosion & Sedimentation
Invasive Species
Emerging Contaminants & Unknowns

9. High # of stream segments are classified as Impaired
Key Finding #1
High # of stream segments are classified as Impaired
56% of Priority Waterbodies List are Impaired (NYS DEC)
Not supporting intended uses
Most impaired sub-watersheds:
Niagara River
Ellicott Creek
Lower & Upper Tonawanda
Takeaway from geography is that that there is no consistent pattern-no one cause. The sub-basin listed span urban to rural gradients and exhibit a host of problems.

10. Lack of sufficient regional Living Infrastructure Network/Protections
Key Finding #3
Lack of sufficient regional Living Infrastructure Network/Protections
…an interconnected network of waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other natural areas of significance.
Components/Functions:
Riparian Buffers/Filtration
Wetlands/Filtration & Storage
Floodplains/Connectivity & Flood Mitigation
Natural Springs/Recharge
Headwater Forests/Drinking Water
Wildlife Corridors/Biodiversity
Significant losses in coastal wetland since pre-industrialization: estimates of >65%, Only 33% of existing wetlands afforded any type of regulations; lack of sufficient regulatory mechanisms to protect what is left; lack on incentives and funding to help.
Critical functions provided by living infrastructure that results in replacement with gray infrastructure

11. Key Finding #9
Sprawl/significant rate of development despite significant population losses.
Between the watershed:
Added 14,707 acres of “urbanized land”
Added miles of new roads
Added 21,407 new residential structures
*Lost 37,450 people

13. “Rust to Blue” Blue Economy Guiding Principles
1) Healthy water drives economic revitalization.
2) Public access and open space protection is prioritized.
3) Natural systems are designed into community redevelopment.
4) The NR Greenway is a catalyst for waterfront revitalization and connections.
5) Public, private and non-profit partnerships.

14. Blue Economy Innovation and Leadership in the Great Lakes
Ripple Effect
$1.3M USEPA investment in Riverkeeper ( )
= $75M for Buffalo River remediation
= $231M for aggregated for
revitalization and restoration
= 807 induced jobs
Name the players in public private partnership and how unique they are

16. WNY is a place that is lifting itself, is rooted in community experiences and is not for sale…

17. Chesapeake Bay Program, 2004
Market Our Resources -Embrace innovative campaigns to educate citizens and speak to what they love!
Chesapeake Bay Program, 2004
SPRING RAINS WASH
EXCESS FERTILIZER FROM OUR AREA TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, WHERE BLUE CRABS HAVE BEEN RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING.
SO SKIP THE LAWN FERTILIZER UNTIL FALL. THE LUNCH YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN.

18. It’s ok to be a little edgy…

20. Kerrie Gallo, Deputy Executive Director 716.852.7483 ext. 30
Name the players in public private partnership and how unique they are