"Catt. Co. To Created Wildlife Sanctuary" from the
Saturday, September 16th, 2000 issue of The Post-Journal
By Sharon Turano
NAPOLI – The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. has begun the process of placing a large portion of the former Enchanted Lake Development into a federal Wetland Reserve Program.
About 600 acres of wetlands and habitat will be designated "forever wild," creating a wildlife sanctuary to protect animals and promote public enjoyment.
The land will be available to schools, colleges, nature groups and wildlife agencies.
Rick White, director of the Pfeiffer Nature Center in Portville, will work with the Local Development Corp. and biologists, conservationist and technical personnel to determine wetland boundaries and habitat.
He will also take an inventory of animal and plant life species.
"I expect that we will identify over 200 varieties of birds by the time my inventory is complete," White said. "this past week we observed both an osprey and bald eagle on the site."
In the last weeks, federal biologist saw two varieties of endangered orchids at the site.
Two black bear cubs have also been spotted in the area during recent weeks.
A USDA biologist expressed enthusiasm for the geographic size of the wetland project and for the variety of species occupying the land.
A management plan is being developed by White under which timber reserves and wildlife can be managed.
A design for paths and observation points is also being developed.
"We feel extremely fortunate to have someone with the talents and knowledge of Rick White representing our interests and working with the Department of Agriculture," said Rick LeFeber, CLDC executive director.
LeFeber said the construction of a lodge that will act as a gateway and information center is also being considered.
On the other side of the wetland, permits are being obtained for the building of six residential homes.
Saturday, September 16, 2000
Thursday, September 14, 2000
Recreation trail set in Cattaraugus County - The Buffalo News
"Recreation trail set in Cattaraugus County" from the
Thursday, September 14, 2000 issue of The Buffalo News
By Kathy Kellogg- Cattaraugus Correspondent
ELLICOTTVILLE- All the red tape that for most of this year snarled development of a recreation trail between Salamanca and Cattaraugus has been cut, and work is proceeding on building a recreation trail along an abandoned railroad.
The Cattaraugus county Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors learned Tuesday at its monthly board meeting that 12-mile section of its abandoned railroad line was transferred two weeks ago to the new owners, the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp.
Agency Director Norman Leyh said the deal was held up several months after Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. mistakenly cut down trees along the rail bed before obtaining a lease for a rights-of-way.
Niagara will pay the CCIDA a $14,500 lump sum, which includes the first lease payment damages for the trees and other compensation. Niagara Mohawk will also pay the local development corporation $1,750 a year during the 30-year term of the lease. The monthly lease payments will be dedicated to remediation of the clear cutting and annual trail maintenance. The lease will be re-evaluated every 10 years and adjusted to stay in line with inflation.
“Niagara Mohawk is working out to be a good partner,” said CLDC Director Rick LeFeber. “It’s a win-win situation.”
LeFeber said the trail could be open by December 2001.
By Kathy Kellogg- Cattaraugus Correspondent
ELLICOTTVILLE- All the red tape that for most of this year snarled development of a recreation trail between Salamanca and Cattaraugus has been cut, and work is proceeding on building a recreation trail along an abandoned railroad.
The Cattaraugus county Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors learned Tuesday at its monthly board meeting that 12-mile section of its abandoned railroad line was transferred two weeks ago to the new owners, the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp.
Agency Director Norman Leyh said the deal was held up several months after Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. mistakenly cut down trees along the rail bed before obtaining a lease for a rights-of-way.
Niagara will pay the CCIDA a $14,500 lump sum, which includes the first lease payment damages for the trees and other compensation. Niagara Mohawk will also pay the local development corporation $1,750 a year during the 30-year term of the lease. The monthly lease payments will be dedicated to remediation of the clear cutting and annual trail maintenance. The lease will be re-evaluated every 10 years and adjusted to stay in line with inflation.
“Niagara Mohawk is working out to be a good partner,” said CLDC Director Rick LeFeber. “It’s a win-win situation.”
LeFeber said the trail could be open by December 2001.
Wednesday, September 13, 2000
Rails to Trails moving full speed ahead - The Times Herald
"Rails to Trails moving full speed ahead" from the Wednesday, September 13, 2000 issue of The Times Herald
Development Corp. takes title to 12-mile rail bed that will be converted into a trail between Salamanca and Cattaraugus
By Rick Miler
ELLICOTTVILLE- It’s full speed ahead for the Rails to Trails project between Salamanca and Cattaraugus.
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. has taken title to the 12-mile rail bed of the former New York & Lake Erie rail line from the Cattaraugus County Industrial Developmental Agency.
For helping negotiate a right-of-way lease with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., the IDA will release damages plus the first year’s lease, IDA executive director Norman Leyh told IDA members Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Niagara Mohawk began cutting timber along the rail bed near its power line, even though it did not have a lease. Niagara Mohawk will pay the IDA damages amounting to $14,500 plus the first year’s lease of $1,750.
Mr. LeFeber who has led volunteers’ efforts to convert the abandoned rail bed into a multi-purpose trail, said the power company’s 30-year lease will provide money for much needed annual maintenance of the trail.
The Cattaraugus Local Development corp. has lined up a $1.4 million state Department of Transportation grant that will be used for construction costs.
On Thursday, Mr. LeFeber will sign a $59,000 contract with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to begin work on the Little Valley trail head.
“It’s late in the (construction) season, so we won’t get as much done this year as we had hoped,” Mr. LeFeber said today. “We’re very excited about going forward on this project.”
Activity this year is likely to be limited to cleaning up the area in Little Valley where the trail crosses Main Street, said Mr. LeFeber.
Plans call for a cleanup of the area by volunteers. Next year, a 40-foot Friendship Arch will be built across the trail, with a pavilion, gazebos, benches and picnic tables.
Also next year, the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. plans to grade the trail, pave the Little Valley section and redeck the bridges.
To celebrate the trail’s opening, Mr. LeFeber said on New Year’s Eve 2001, snowmobilers will start from Salamanca and Cattaraugus, meeting at Little Valley at midnight for a party that will include fireworks.
Mr. LeFeber said the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. hopes to acquire the rail section between Cattaraugus and Dayton when the IDA eventually decides to abandon that section. That would connect Allegany State Park with Zoar Valley.
Development Corp. takes title to 12-mile rail bed that will be converted into a trail between Salamanca and Cattaraugus
By Rick Miler
ELLICOTTVILLE- It’s full speed ahead for the Rails to Trails project between Salamanca and Cattaraugus.
The Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. has taken title to the 12-mile rail bed of the former New York & Lake Erie rail line from the Cattaraugus County Industrial Developmental Agency.
For helping negotiate a right-of-way lease with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp., the IDA will release damages plus the first year’s lease, IDA executive director Norman Leyh told IDA members Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Niagara Mohawk began cutting timber along the rail bed near its power line, even though it did not have a lease. Niagara Mohawk will pay the IDA damages amounting to $14,500 plus the first year’s lease of $1,750.
Mr. LeFeber who has led volunteers’ efforts to convert the abandoned rail bed into a multi-purpose trail, said the power company’s 30-year lease will provide money for much needed annual maintenance of the trail.
The Cattaraugus Local Development corp. has lined up a $1.4 million state Department of Transportation grant that will be used for construction costs.
On Thursday, Mr. LeFeber will sign a $59,000 contract with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to begin work on the Little Valley trail head.
“It’s late in the (construction) season, so we won’t get as much done this year as we had hoped,” Mr. LeFeber said today. “We’re very excited about going forward on this project.”
Activity this year is likely to be limited to cleaning up the area in Little Valley where the trail crosses Main Street, said Mr. LeFeber.
Plans call for a cleanup of the area by volunteers. Next year, a 40-foot Friendship Arch will be built across the trail, with a pavilion, gazebos, benches and picnic tables.
Also next year, the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. plans to grade the trail, pave the Little Valley section and redeck the bridges.
To celebrate the trail’s opening, Mr. LeFeber said on New Year’s Eve 2001, snowmobilers will start from Salamanca and Cattaraugus, meeting at Little Valley at midnight for a party that will include fireworks.
Mr. LeFeber said the Cattaraugus Local Development Corp. hopes to acquire the rail section between Cattaraugus and Dayton when the IDA eventually decides to abandon that section. That would connect Allegany State Park with Zoar Valley.
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