Niagara County Environmental Fund Seeks Proposals

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Niagara County Environmental Fund is seeking proposals that promote environmental education or enhance the environment from public institutions, not-for-profit corporations or individuals residing in or having business offices in Niagara County.

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

The fund provides grants that 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, and educate individuals of all ages about the county's environment.

The proposals will be evaluated by the 13-member Niagara Fund Advisory Panel.

Examples of projects considered for funding are:

• Environmental cleanup projects for clubs, schools, neighborhood groups and other organizations

• Environmental education projects, such as teacher-training programs in schools, museums and other institutions

• Projects to enhance public access to natural resources

• Projects to restore native vegetation, ecosystems and wildlife.

Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on March 2 at the UB center, 207 Jarvis Hall, North Campus; Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District, Niagara County Fairgrounds, Rt. 78; the Niagara Falls City Building, 1022 Main St., Niagara Falls, or the North Tonawanda Public Library, 505 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda.

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