"Western New York has a long and proud heritage of boating and outdoor recreation, and these grants will help municipalities in the region revitalize their waterfronts and create even more opportunities for residents and tourists," Governor Pataki said. "The creation of new waterfront parks and additional investments in our waterfront areas will allow local officials to utilize their magnificent resources and improve the quality of life in communities throughout the region."

Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels, who oversees the Department of State's (DOS) Division of Coastal Resources, was joined by State and local officials at press conferences in Chautauqua and Ontario counties today to highlight the grants, which include a $210,000 grant to the City of Jamestown (Chautauqua County) to make improvements at Panzarella Island Park. Also included is a $65,000 grant to the City of Canandaigua (Ontario County) for efforts to restore water quality in Sucker Brook.

Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue said, "Through Governor Pataki's Quality Communities Task Force and Working Group, which I chair, New York State has laid the foundation for dynamic partnerships between local and state governments that foster economic and community development while protecting the environment and promoting home rule. Today's grant announcements highlight effective water development, preservation and rehabilitation. They are another great example of New York State's commitment to assisting local governments to implement land and water use plans that best meet their own local needs."

Secretary Daniels said, "Governor Pataki has created a strong partnership between the State and local communities to advance projects that will have long-term economic, environmental and cultural benefits, and these grants further illustrate the success of this effort. We look forward to continuing to build upon these partnerships by helping municipalities develop exciting visions for their waterfronts and providing assistance that will allow them to transform these areas into vibrant community assets."

The grant to the City of Jamestown will be used for improvements to Panzarella Island Park, including the installation of a pedestrian bridge over the Chadakoin River and construction of a Riverwalk pathway. In addition, the city will complete its draft Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) to reflect community visioning and planning developed as part of a New York State Quality Communities demonstration project.

The City of Canandaigua was awarded $65,000 to remediate nutrient, sediment and bacteria loadings in Sucker Brook. The project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, will include construction of a 1.7 acre stormwater pond and stream restoration to remediate bank erosion in Sucker Brook at 19 locations between Pearl Street and Parrish Street.

Senator Dale M. Volker, said, "New York has been blessed to have some of the most pristine natural resources in the entire country. That is why we must never lose our focus in protecting, preserving, and enhancing our natural resources. Governor Pataki has understood from the very beginning that State and local partnerships are essential if we are to use our programmatic and financial resources in a cost-effective and efficient way to protect our taxpayers in addition to our natural resources. The Governor has been innovative and effective in this approach, and the main reason why New York State is the country's leader in protecting and preseving our natural resources, as well as a model for other states to emulate."

Senator Pat McGee said, "These waterfront projects are vital to the growth of western New York. Governor Pataki should be commended for taking the lead on such an important economic revitalization effort. The Governor knows that by improving and restoring our most treasured resources, we improve the quality of life for everyone."

Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb, "As we continue to see economic improvement and development throughout Ontario County and the city of Canandaigua, this grant and the subsequent remediation of Sucker Brook will be essential to our resurgence. The construction of the stormwater pond and the stream restoration will have continued positive environmental impacts for years to come. I am very grateful to Governor Pataki for his support of the work of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council for all they have done and continue to do for our community."

Additional grants announced today include:

A $50,000 EPF grant to the Town of Carlton in Orleans County to construct a 200-linear foot transient docking facility at Orleans County Marine Park in the hamlet of Point Breeze on Oak Orchard River and Lake Ontario. The project, which is being undertaken in partnership with the county, will relieve congestion at the boat launch site and provide linkages to land-based businesses;

An EPF award of $17,000 to the Village of Spencerport in Monroe County to complete a Southside Waterfront Revitalization Plan that will address physical and visual access to the Erie Canal, congestion and vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns, stormwater management, and underused publicly-owned property. The project will result in a conceptual site plan and recommendations for improvements; and;

A $10,000 EPF grant to the Town of Perinton, also in Monroe County, to conduct community visioning and prepare a conceptual design and action plan for the Erie Canal waterfront in the hamlet of Bushnell's Basin. The plan will address the lack of boater access to the commercial district, the redevelopment of vacant canal-side parcels, the potential relocation of Crescent Trail, and pedestrian circulation in the hamlet.

All four grants are being provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). The Department of State's Division of Coastal Resources administers EPF matching grants to local governments for the preparation and implementation of LWRPs and inter-municipal water body management plans, development of coastal education programs, creation of blueway trails and urban waterfront redevelopment.

Since 1995, more than $68 million has been awarded through more than 680 LWRP grants to fund waterfront projects throughout New York State.