Consultant hired to map, survey wetlands - The Buffalo News

"Consultant hired to map, survey wetlands" from the Friday, March 31, 2000 issue of The Buffalo News  

By Kathy Kellogg, Cattaraugus Correspondent

NAPOLI – A consultant has been hired to map wetlands, and survey plant and wildlife species, as part of a community group’s effort to establish a “forever wild” nature preserve at the former 1,100-acre Enchanted Lake subdivision. The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. on Wednesday announced plans to apply for a conservation easement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wetlands Reserve Program. The group also seeks to establish the James A. Zaepfel nature Center, in honor of the Williamsville man who donated the land last fall. In January, the development agency raised money to help pay an overdue county tax bill by selling off 540 building lots and 35 acres to a group of subdivision homeowners. Rick White, executive director of the Pfeiffer Nature Center in Portville, was hired by the development agency to conduct the three-season ecological assessment and a wetland delineation for 500 acres. Under an old private-development plan dating to the 1970’s, Cold Springs Creek was to be dammed, flooding those wetlands to create a 350-acre lake ringed with homes. “Once our application for the Wetland Reserve Program is approved, the region will have a new ‘forever wild’ nature preserve for future generations to enjoy,” said development agency Director Rick LeFeber. After the wetlands are identified for inclusion in the conservation easement, the development agency may use another section of the property for recreational, residential or commercial development.

Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. Hires Specialist for Environmental Study - The Post-Journal

"Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. Hires Specialist for Environmental Study" from the Thursday, March 30, 2000 issue of the The Post-Journal

By Sharon Turano

NAPOLI – Rick White of the Pfeiffer Nature Center in Portville will conduct an assessment to establish the James A. Zaepfel Nature Center on 1,100 acres of land owned by the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp.

White, who has degrees in forestry, ornithology, plant material and management, will do an ecological assessment and wetland delineation on the former Enchanted Lake Development.

He will determine if any species listed on the federal and state endangered list, threatened species list or of special concern inhabit the property.

Plant species inhabiting the property will also be surveyed in spring, summer and late fall.

White will establish wetland areas and their borders in order to work with the Agriculture Department's Natural Resources Conservation Services so the wetlands can be placed into the Federal Wetlands Reserve Program.

"We intend to establish the James A. Zaepfel Nature Center on this property," said Rick LeFeber, CLDC executive director.

"Once our application for the Wetlands Reserve Program is approved, the region will have a new 'forever wild' nature preserve for future generations to enjoy."

Zaepfel, who is from Williamsville, recently gave the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp.. 829 parcels of land around the Enchanted Lake.

Search for endangered species is on - The Times Herald

"Search for endangered species is on" Wednesday, March 29, 2000 - The Times Herald

Developer hires expert to explore future nature center site in Napoli

The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. has hired a wildlife expert from Portville to catalog rare and endangered plants and animals at the former Enchanted Lake Development.

Rick LeFeber, the Local Development Corp.'s executive director, said Rick White of the Pfeiffer Nature Center in Portville was hired to do the study on some of the 1,100 acres of the defunct Enchanted Lake project in Napoli. Mr. White will see if any plants or animals there are listed on the federal or New York endangered or special concerns list.

Mr. White will also survey the wetlands on the property. The wildlife and wetlands assessments will be done over three periods during the spring, summer and fall. Besides working as executive director of the nature center, Mr. White's credentials include degrees in forestry, ornithology (the study of birds), and plant material and management.

His work is part of the Local Development Corp.'s plans to protect between 500 to 700 acres under the federal Wetlands Reserve Program. The organization, which is not for profit and is dedicated to community and economic development, has to submit its application to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural resources Conservation Services.

"Once our application for the Wetlands Reserve Program is approved, the region will have a new forever wild nature preserve for future generations to enjoy," Mr. LeFeber said.

The organization intends to name the protected land the James A. Zaepfel Nature Center. Mr. Zaepfel, a Williamsville developer who bought the abandoned project with plans to develop it, donated the property to the Local Development Corp. About $50,000 in back taxes was owned on the property. When the development was originally proposed a quarter-century ago, about 14 landowners bought property and moved there. After plans to develop the property twice fell through, the landowners remained landlocked on quarter acre lots.

Once the Local Development Corp. Took ownership, about 200 acres was conveyed to the property owners, allowing them to expand their lots to meet town laws regulating septic systems. As part of the land transfer, the property owners paid for the back taxes on the land they received, which amounted to about $37,000.

CLDC takes steps for wetland preserve in Napoli - The Salamanca Press

"CLDC takes steps for wetland preserve in Napoli" from the Wednesday, March 29, 2000 issue of The Salamanca Press
By Laura Howard - City Editor

NAPOLI – The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. (CLDC) has hired a consultant to aid the process of turning a portion of the former Enchanted Lake Development site into a wetlands preserve.

In November 1999, CLDC received a gift of 829 parcels, totaling 1,100 acres, from former owner James A. Zaepfel of Williamsville. CLDC agreed to sell 35 acres to the Napoli Development Corp., a group of property owners in the defunct development. The deal included 540 separate parcels, each about 1.4 acres in size, to homeowners wanting to expand their parcels. CLDC is looking to create a nature center as well.

Rick White, executive director of the Pfeiffer Nature Center is Portville will perform an ecological assessment and wetland delineation of the property. White holds degrees in forestry, ornithology and plant material and management.

White's assessment and survey work will determine if any species listed on the Federal and New York State Endangered, Threatened, and Species of Special Concerns list inhabit the property.

"In order to survey the plant and wildlife species inhabiting this property, surveys will be required in the late spring, summer and late fall. This is necessary in order to identify ephemeral plant species and migratory wildlife," explained White.

The wetland delineation will establish the wetland areas and their borders within the CLDC property. Based on this information, the non-profit development organization will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service on placing wetlands and habitat into the Federal Wetlands Reserve Program.

"We intend to establish the James A. Zaepfel Nature Center on this property. These activities by Mr. White and the Department of Agriculture will result in determining the exact boundaries and size for the wetlands. Once our application for the Wetlands Reserve Program is approved, the region will have a new 'forever wild' nature preserve for future generations to enjoy," said CLDC Executive Director Rick LeFeber.

Rail Line Sale is Approved by Cattaraugus IDA - The Post-Journal

"Rail Line Sale is Approved by Cattaraugus IDA" from the March 17th, 2000 issue of The Post-Journal

By Sharon Turano

ELLICOTTVILLE - Cattaraugus County's Industrial Development Agency on Tuesday approved sale of 12 miles of abandoned rail line for a rails-to-trails project.

The IDA board formally approved the transfer of the line between Salamanca and Cattaraugus that it had owned but from which track was removed in previous years.

The IDA sought ideas last year on what to do with the property, with the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp.'s hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobile and horseback riding trail being chosen as the best use for the land.

The IDA held public meetings on the issue but was waiting for the Department of Transportation and other local governments to decline rights to the rail section before approving the final transaction.

On Tuesday, the IDA finally was able to approve the sale, with IDA Chairman Norm Potter stating, "I think it's a great thing."

IDA Executive Director Norm Leyh said the property will be deeded to the group for a "nominal" price but did not comment further on what the actual price would be.

"I can't thank them enough," said Richard LeFeber, Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. head.

A group he has worked with has been developing plans for the project he said he hopes can be completed by 2001

He said the group has already received a $59,500 grant from the state Parks and Recreation Department which will be used to build two gazebos and picnic benches in Little Valley at the trail head. The money also will be used to help rehabilitate a caboose for the trail entry area and to buy golf carts so handicapped people can use the trail. Maintenance equipment will be purchased, too.

LeFeber said he is awaiting word on a $1.3 million state grant.

Whether the money is awarded to the project, he said, engineering studies will be undertaken on what needs to be done to the trail.

In the meantime, he said, there has been a "cooperative spirit" by all involved to get the trail going.