The Buffalo Sewer Authority agrees to pay a $20,000 penalty and invest $100,000 in Roosevelt Park improvements following environmental violations.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sewer Authority has reached a settlement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation over past violations, agreeing to pay a $20,000 penalty and invest at least $100,000 in improvements at Roosevelt Park in Buffalo.
The upgrades at the park will include new playground equipment and educational displays highlighting the park’s environmental history. The agreement also imposes stiff penalties for any future violations.
In a statement, the Buffalo Sewer Authority said, “We welcome this agreement to ensure that we have a clear path forward in achieving the water quality goals that we committed to in 2014 through our Queen City Clean Waters initiative.”
The settlement represents a continued effort by the city and state agencies to improve water quality and maintain public spaces while holding organizations accountable for environmental standards.
The DEC also issued a statement, with Commissioner Amanda Lefton vowing to improve water quality along the Niagara River and its tributaries.
“Protecting the Niagara River’s water quality is essential to preserving vital habitats and Western New York communities,” Lefton said in the statement, issued Friday afternoon.
“Thanks to our partnership with Attorney General (Letitia) James and the Buffalo Sewer Authority leadership, this landmark commitment provides an environmentally sustainable path forward for Buffalo’s wastewater management. These robust actions will ensure cleaner water, address the infrastructure needs of the region’s residents, and provide the public with a seat at the table as Buffalo’s complex aging facilities are modernized.”
James called the agreement “a major step forward in protecting the health of Western New York families and preserving the Niagara River for generations to come.”