Fight Continues Over Great Lakes Water
Mike Desmond

 

There's a developing fight in Washington over water from the Great Lakes. The eight-lakes states and two Canadian provinces put together a deal to protect the water, to bar diversion to other parts of the country and to other countries. Cogressman Brian Higgins says there is strong pressure against Washington approving the deal, although there are 41-other compacts that control water and waterways throughout the country. The Buffalo Democrat says supporters of the lakes have to push hard to protect the water by getting the compact ratified. "This is about competition and other regions of the nation are thirsty for the fresh water we have," Higgins said. Higgins fears other parts of the country are becoming increasingly powerful, politically, and are trying to control the issue. Higgins points to Nevada's Senator Harry Reid, the majority leader. Higgins says draining water away from Lake Erie would also start cutting the cheap hydro-electric power from the Niagara Power Project because water levels would drop.



Work Begins on Outer Harbor Parkway


After years of debate, studies and delays, construction crews have started rebuilding Fuhrmann Boulevard. Congressman Brian Higgins says the project will transform Fuhrmann Boulevard from a confusing, unsafe and underutilized road into a two-way, tree-lined parkway which delivers public access.

 

Mayor Brown says the new "Outer Harbor Parkway" is a symbol of progress. Brown says it's also the first step in removing the Skyway.

 

The $55 million project is supposed to help make Buffalo's Outer Harbor a destination and spur economic development, but it may end in Court. Buffalo Niagara Riverkeepers and Common Council members David Franczyk and Michael Kearns have filed a lawsuit arguing the Outer Harbor Parkway does not meet Niagara River Greenway Commission criteria.

 

If the lawsuit is rejected, the new Outer Harbor Parkway is expected to be open for traffic in three years.

 



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Sewage Is Released During Heavy Rain
(WBEN)

What happens when heavy rains overwhelm local sewage systems is not pretty. The recent release of raw sewage and other debris in the city's sparkling new "Commercial Slip" tourist destination, is only part of a wider problem that includes 52 city locations where wastewater and sewage often mix in local waterways during heavy rains.

State environmental officials are working on costly agreements with the Buffalo Sewer Authority to limit the overflow points where heavy rains can discharge untreated waste into the Niagara River, and the Scajacquada, Cazenovia, Buffalo Creeks and The Black Rock Channel. The number of these dumping points- called combined sewer overflows- are common in older cities that have sewer systems dating to the early 19th century. In the last 15 years, Buffalo has reduced the number of overflow points considerably, down from 64 to 52.

Daniel David, an engineer with the state DEC tells WBEN's Dave Debo that a master agreement to limit others is due within a year, and that the state is also moving against suburban systems where less frequent sewage overflows are not diluted by rainwater but can be just as damaging. David predicts that area municipalities will have to spend millions to correct the problem over the next several years.

Great Lakes Water Levels Are Falling

Water levels in the Great Lakes are falling. The "New York Times" reports Monday that water levels in all five Great Lakes are below long-term averages and are likely to stay that way until at least March. Environmental researchers say that low precipitation, mild winters and high evaporation due to a lack of heavy ice covers in the winter are depleting the lakes. Lake Ontario, for example, is about seven inches below where it was a year ago. And for every inch of water that the lakes lose, shippers say they must lighten their loads or risk running aground.

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