1. Niagara River Area of Concern
Status Update
November 3, 2016

2. Beneficial Use Impairments
Current Target Removal Year 1
Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
2022 3
Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations 4
Fish Tumors or Other Deformities
Removed 5
Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems 6
Degradation of Benthos
2021 7
Restrictions on Dredging Activities
2018 14
Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat

3. Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
BUI removal will be possible when upper Niagara River fish consumption advisories are identical to those for Lake Erie
Periodic sampling and analysis of fish is needed
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
2018
$550,000
Assessment of Contaminant Residues in Fish; USGS
2021

4. Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations
Various studies and monitoring efforts are ongoing
BUI removal will depend on implementation of habitat projects and continued reductions in contaminant levels
Next steps may include consideration of changes to removal criteria, primarily the criterion calling for improving trends in the community structure of native mollusk populations
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
2018
$100,000
Mollusk community structure study; lead to be determined

5. Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems
Recent data (mink study) indicates that this impairment continues to exist
BUI removal will depend on continued reductions in contaminant levels
Next steps may include comparing the contributions of AOC vs. non-AOC sources to levels of contaminants associated with deformities
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
2020
$100,000
Re-evaluation of mink; NYSDEC

6. Summary of Fish and Wildlife Assessments
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
Related BUI
2018
$550,000
Assessment of Contaminant Residues in Fish; USGS
Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
$100,000
Mollusk community structure study; lead to be determined
Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations
2020
Re-evaluation of mink; NYSDEC
Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproductive Problems
2021

7. Sediment – Recent Progress
Sampling for the tributary screening assessment occurred in June
USGS and NYSDEC report on toxicity of sediment in the AOC and tributaries. Sediment in Scajaquada and Two Mile Creeks showed toxicity.
NYSDEC, EPA, USGS and USACE are working to develop a sediment evaluation strategy
Updates are expected to removal criteria for sediment- related BUIs

8. Sediment – Next Steps
In general, continue to advance sediment characterization and remediation.
Complete the analysis of macroinvertebrate community data from the 2014 and 2015 sampling.
NYSDEC will prepare a report on the sediment screening assessment in Niagara River tributaries.
USACE may conduct probing this year to identify areas of soft sediment for later sampling. USACE may also collect surface sediment samples in limited areas as a pilot project to assist in developing a comprehensive sediment evaluation strategy.

9. Sediment – Funding Needs
Funding of sediment evaluation is a high priority. Continuing funding is needed to meet target removal dates for multiple BUIs.
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
2018
$1,500,000
Coordinated evaluation of sediment chemistry and benthos; USEPA/USACE/NYSDEC/USGS
2019
Coordinated evaluation of sediment chemistry and benthos (continued); USEPA/USACE/NYSDEC/USGS
2020

10. Habitat – Recent Progress
Initial feasibility studies completed for seven potential Habitat Plan projects
Six “no regrets” projects selected for the Habitat Plan – located around Grand Island, projects will protect and expand coastal wetland habitat
EPA has funded designs for five of the six projects
USACE is beginning initial feasibility studies for eight additional potential Habitat Plan projects

11. Habitat – Funding Needs
Year funding will be requested
Estimated amount of funding
Project name and expected technical lead organization
2018
$1,500,000
Design of remaining Habitat Plan projects; lead to be determined
$1,000,000
Spicer Creek construction; lead to be determined
Grass Island construction; lead to be determined
$3,500,000
Buckhorn Island State Park construction; lead to be determined
2018 or 2019
East River Marsh Extension construction; lead to be determined
$1,100,000
Burnt Ship Creek construction; lead to be determined
2019 – 2020
$6,000,000
Construction of remaining Habitat Plan projects; lead to be determined