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.