Niagara County Environmental Fund Invites Proposals

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Niagara County Environmental Fund is seeking proposals for its 2003 funding cycle.

The maximum funding level for any one project is $5,000. A minimum of $25,000 is available for all projects funded in this last cycle.

The 2003 funding cycle will be the last funding cycle for the Niagara County Environmental Fund, established as part of the Love Canal settlement between New York State and Occidental Chemical Corp. The fund is 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.

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

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

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

o Projects that enhance public access to natural resources

o Projects to restore native vegetation, ecosystems and wildlife

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 State Sen. Byron Brown; Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte; Timothy Demler, supervisor, Town of Wheatfield; Irene Elia, mayor, City of Niagara Falls; Samuel M. Ferraro, commissioner, Niagara County Department of Planning, Development and Tourism; Joann Hale, former Love Canal resident; Thomas L. Jennings, Occidental Chemical Corp.; Barbra Kavanaugh, assistant attorney general in charge; State Sen. George D. Maziarz; Gerald Mikol, regional director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Matthew Murphy, Niagara County district attorney, and Anne Smith, former Love Canal resident. Public institutions or organizations, not-for-profit corporations located in Niagara County and individuals residing or having a business office in Niagara County are eligible to apply.

Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. on May 2 at the UB center, 207 Jarvis Hall on UB's North (Amherst) Campus; the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District, 4787 Lake Avenue (Niagara County Fairgrounds, Rt. 78) in Lockport; the Niagara Falls City Building (Carnegie Building) at 1022 Main St., or the North Tonawanda Public Library at 505 Meadow Drive.

For applications and information, contact A. Scott Weber, executive director of the New York State Center for Hazardous Waste Management, at 888-201-4998, 716-645-3446 or via fax at 716-645-3667 or via email at hazwastes@acsu.buffalo.edu.