The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, July 25, to receive public comments about the Cattaraugus Creek Integrated Watershed Action Plan (IWAP).   

DEC worked with local partners and stakeholders to develop the plan in support of New York State’s Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA). The IWAP process brings together diverse stakeholders and fosters collaboration among stakeholders and communities to develop a shared understanding of the ecosystem structure, function, and processes. The planning process also identifies actions, including management strategies and projects, that support ecosystem goals that benefit people, the environment, and local economies.  

WHAT:            IWAP virtual meeting for Cattaraugus Creek Watershed   

WHEN:            4 to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 25    

WHERE:         Registration link via Zoom 

The Cattaraugus Creek watershed is in Western New York and drains to Lake Erie. The watershed spans 560 square miles and includes the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Territory along with the towns of Arcade, Ashford, Brant, Centerville, Collins, Concord, Dayton, Eagle, East Otto, Ellicottville, Farmersville, Freedom, Hanover, Java, Machias, Mansfield, New Albion, North Collins, Otto, Perrysburg, Persia, Rushford, Sardinia, Wethersfield, and Yorkshire as well as the villages of Arcade, Cattaraugus, Delevan, Gowanda, and Springville.   

Ecosystem goals for the Cattaraugus Creek watershed aim to maintain, protect, and restore water quality, floodplains and riparian areas, forests, streams, invasive species management, sustainable working lands, and heritage within the ecosystem.   

For more information about the Cattaraugus Creek IWAP, visit the StoryMap website. Please contact the project team with any questions at: greatlakes@dec.ny.gov.