Text · page 1 of 3
West Seneca Environmental Commission (WSEC) West Seneca Environmental Commission Mission Statement Our mission is to protect and improve the environment as a valuable resource and asset for the people and the Town of West Seneca. We strive to advise the Town Board and make recommendations that will promote a clean, healthy, and well protected environment supporting a sustainable society and economy. The committee shall also provide community outreach and education to achieve these goals. Environmental Issues for current action and long-term planning purposes: Priority Levels 1 = High priority is something that currently affects the quality of the environment in West Seneca, is something WSEC historically has been working on, or can be irreversible or have a strong potential for getting worse (such as stream erosion) and is cheaper or easier to remediate earlier than later (such as invasive species). 2 = Medium priority is something that can or may soon have an effect the quality of the environment in West Seneca, and resources (grants, etc.) are known to be available to address it. 3 = Low priority is something that needs to be better understood and needs research and benchmarking to learn more about it and methods to address it. M=Actions have been implemented and is now in Maintenance status. Category Priority Details Actions Team Members Status / Comments Water Quality Buffalo Niagara River - keeper 1 Assisting with National Fish and Evelyn Hicks Attended several meetings in 2023. Public hearings to be scheduled. In Wildlife Foundation Grant for phase 2. Recommend a sub - committee. Town board support and implementation of flood control public input. Phase 2 is currently on hold for access to homeowner methods along the Buffalo properties, Creek. Storm Water Coalition 3 Leane Schultz Pesticide / Herbicide Use 1 Community Outreach and Bob Amadon Scott discuss with town officials as far as town usage. Erie county dept. Education of env. and planning has information. Limitations of Sanitary 3 Need more information from Issues may not be in new subdivisions it is limitations of older Sewers. Being overloaded experts infrastructure. and overflow into waterways. Storm Drain Medallions M Was a past major 1. Purchase replacement Bob Amadon DEC marking requirements? Scott is expecting information from Brian project for WSEC. A medallions. Determine how and Adams tomorrow. June commission mtg.agenda. Decision made in recent study when to replace. 2. Idea: March 2025 to continue having the Highway Dept. manage installing (sampling) determined What can be done to have the medallions. about 46% are now developers install these on missing from where storm drains in new placed. developments? Update town codes for new subdivisions? Trees Tree Inventory Grant 1 NYSDEC UCF Round 16 Grant awarded to the Commission to focus is on implementation of public Bob Amadon is key contact for grant Formal letter of partnership provided to grant writer in June 2023 and town in Dec. 2023. outreach and education to meet grant requirements. implementation team. included with grantapplication. WSEC is a partner with the All / other commission members as town for the grant activities with focus on public outreach and education Quarterly summaries are required to be sent to NYSDEC. required. during grant implementation. The commission held tree planting event on Nov. 1, 2025 Pending contract to be signed by Town Supervisor with DEC May 2024. and details included on 4th quarter summary to Delay caused by new DEC system and NYS Comptroller. Project team NYSDEC. to be formed and represented by commission members.Contract was finally signed in December 2024. As of June 2025. Grant Kick-off Quarterly summaries provided for quarters ending in meeting held in August 2025. Refer to meeting minutes for team June 2025. September 2025, December 2025, March members and actions. 2026, The Superintendent of Highways has sent out an RFP for bids. Bids received and reviewed. Business awarded to Davey Resource Group. Kick-off meeting held on 8/5/2025. Tree inventory began 8/11/2025. Scheduled to be complete (Phase 1) by November 2025. Refer to kick-off meeting notes for additional action items. Tree inventory along town right of way along town owned streets began late August 2025. Inventory continued through December. Grant team to determine next steps in order to complete grant requirements by 12/31/2026 deadline for completion in order to receive grant funds from NYS DEC. Urban Forestry 1 Subsequent to See above. See above. See above Management Plan completion of tree inventory above. 2nd part of the grant.