Niagara County Environmental Fund invites proposals

The Niagara County Environmental Fund is seeking proposals for its 1999 funding cycle.

Established as part of the Love Canal settlement between New York State and Occidental Chemical Corp., the $2.5 million fund is being administered by the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management at UB.

The fund was established to provide grants to encourage, inspire and facilitate activities by volunteers, seasonal employees, organizations and educational institutions to enhance, restore, maintain, care for and provide access to Niagara County's environment and ecology, as well as educate people of all ages about the county's environment.

Examples of the types of projects that will be considered for funding include:

- Environmental clean-up projects for clubs, schools, neighborhood groups and other organizations

- Environmental education projects, including teacher-training programs in schools, museums and other institutions

- Projects that enhance public access to natural resources

- Projects to restore native vegetation, ecosystems and wildlife

"Through education projects, clean-up projects and other types of projects, this funding will ultimately enhance Niagara County in general," said Joann Hale, chair of the fund's advisory panel.

Proposals will be evaluated by the members of the advisory panel, all of whom have an interest or expertise in Love Canal and Niagara County.

Public institutions, organizations or not-for-profit corporations located in Niagara County or individuals residing or having a business office in Niagara County are eligible to apply.

Proposals must be received by the UB center or the Love Canal Area Revitalization Agency by 5 p.m. on March 8. For applications and information, call A. Scott Weber, executive director of the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management, at 645-3446; fax at 645-3667, or email at hazwastes@acsu.buffalo.edu.