The Urban Design Project is conducting research on the context of the environmental issues, organizations and capacity in the region in collaboration with the WNY Environmental Alliance as part of the work toward creating a regional agenda for the environment in our community. The following documents represent the preliminary inventory and analysis information to help us understand the regional context.

Agency inventory

A preliminary review and catalogue of agencies and authorities that have jurisdiction in our region in WNY that have resources and technical assistance as well as regulatory and/or jurisdictional oversight regarding the environment. The list in this report is by no means comprehensive.  Additional agencies are likely to be added as the WNY Alliance identifies key issues they wish to address. A brief summary of the 34 agencies is presented in the Summary Analysis including data source, mission, type of authority, geographic target area and whether or not they have any grants programs.

Agency Inventory Document

Mapping Inventory

These maps, highlighting Erie and Niagara Counties, are meant to give an overview of the environmental characteristics of Western New York. As part of the Great Lakes eco-region,the condition of the environment is influenced by this geographic context. The maps include the larger regional and international context by including parts of surrounding counties, Lakes Erie and Ontario, and the Canadian Province of Ontario to demonstrate the region: abundant natural resources and natural wonders, the extent ofurbanization, some of the legacy of past industrialization, and some mitigation strategies underway.

Mapping Inventory Document

Organization Inventory

The Urban Design Project is working to generate a map of environmental organizations in Erie and Niagara County. The organizational data presented here was gathered through an online survey distributed as a part of the inventory work for the project. Approximately 170 environmental groups have been identified in Western New York. Forty-five of these organizations responded to the online survey; their responses have been included. Information from each organization was compiled and analyzed in order to summarize organizational roles, capacity and opportunities for the group as a whole.

We encourage all groups that have not yet responded to do so; learning about our interests and capacities increases our effectiveness as a broad environmental constituency. The survey will remain open online through December 31, 2008, at which point all data will be compiled again and another analysis will be conducted.

Organization Inventory Document

Plan Inventory

A quick overview of some of the plans related to the environment that affect the policy and physical landscape of WNY. In no way is this a comprehensive overview of plans nor does it include municipal level plans, most of which address land use and other environmental issues.

For each plan, we analyzed for certain characteristics:

• Scale - International to local municipality
• Sponsor of Plan that includes governance (agency, non-profit, municipality)
• Scope of plan the content covered ranging from natural resources such as air and water, to issues of vacant properties and brownfields to transportations. The categories are listed on the Summary

Plan Inventory Document

Analysis

Many other plans could be included in this listing, especially if they are relevant to the key issues that emerge from the WNY Environmental Alliance Task Groups. This listing will be expanded and/or modified as key issues emerge that warrant a broader or more in depth resource.