BUFFALO, N.Y. — More help is on the way to restore Times Beach Nature Preserve.
You may remember the damage left behind by last month’s last storm, and that’s not the first time storms have battered the area.
U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins says $10 million will be invested in Times Beach. The funding will help fortify a break wall.
“Once a dumping ground for contaminated Buffalo River sludge, today Times Beach is a vibrant 55-acre home for wildlife and a destination for visitors,” Higgins said. “This funding will support work by the United States Army Corps Buffalo District to fortify the break wall at Times Beach, to help restore public access that was lost in storm damage two years ago, and to reduce the influence of that kind of damage from happening in the future. This funding builds on previous federal Great Lakes and Infrastructure investments that are transforming Buffalo’s waterfront and revitalizing the Western New York community.”
Other parts of Western New York will also receive funding, including Black Rock and Tonawanda harbors.
“Times Beach is a beautiful natural site that hosts thousands of migratory birds and other wildlife, just moments away from the downtown City core. It’s a peaceful but fragile ecosystem that is very vulnerable to bad weather due to its location, and the site has suffered extensive damage during recent winter storms,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “This funding announcement is very welcome news and I thank Congressman Higgins, the US Army Corps and the Biden administration for their focus on infrastructure projects that improve our lives and protect our natural spaces.”