Environmental Fund Established As Part of Love Canal Settlement Invites Proposals

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Niagara County Environmental Fund is seeking proposals for its 1998 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 the University at Buffalo.

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.

"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 Niagara Fund Advisory Panel, all of whom have an interest or expertise in Love Canal and Niagara County. The members are Patricia Brown, former Love Canal resident; Timothy Demler, supervisor, Town of Wheatfield; Samuel M. Ferraro, director of planning, Niagara County; James C. Galie, mayor, City of Niagara Falls; Joann Hale, former Love Canal resident; Thomas L. Jennings, vice president, corporate environmental affairs, Occidental Chemical Corp.; state Sen. George D. Maziarz.

Also, Gerald Mikol, regional director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Matthew Murphy, Niagara County district attorney; Sen. Anthony R. Nanula; Erin M. Peradotto, assistant attorney general in charge; Assemblyman Joseph T. Pillittere, and Assemblyman David E. Seaman.

Public institutions or 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 6, 1998.

For applications and information, contact A. Scott Weber, executive director of the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management, at 716- 645-3446, or via fax at 716-645-3667, or via e mail at hazwastes@acsu.buffalo.edu