Genesee River Wilds Project

Genesee River

Basic information, “Genesee River” Wikipedia article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesee_River

Maps and technical information, “Chapter 2: Basin Overview,” Genesee River Basin Action Strategy published by the Genesee/Finger Lakes Planning Council at
http://www.gflrpc.org/Publications/GenRiverActionStrategy/2_BasinOverview.pdf

Genesee River in Rochester area, Rochester Regional Group, Sierra Club, at
http://www.atlantic.sierraclub.org/rochester, and
Rochester Environment blog, at http://rochesterenvironment.com

Rochester Cycling Alliance, advocate for bicycling trails along Genesee River and supporter of plans for Rochester-Williamsport greenway system, http://www.rochestercyclingalliance.org

For collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology on Rochester-Williamsport trail system, contact Dr. Jon Schull, Associate Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology, Jon.Schull@rit.edu, http://innovation.rit.edu

Models for Genesee River Wilds Project in NY and PA

Lehigh River Gorge (PA)
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lehighgorge.aspx

Letchworth State Park (NY)
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/79/details.aspx

Pine Creek Gorge (PA)
http://www.visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html
http://www.gis.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/NorthCentral.aspx?RegID=2

Raquette River Corridor (NY)
http://www.racquetteriver.org

Susquehanna River Trail (PA)
http://www.susquehannarivertrail.org/

Tuna Valley Trail System (PA)
http://www.tunavalleytrail.com

Recreational Resources in Genesee River Wilds and Neighboring Areas

Allegany State Park (NY)
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=91

Allegheny National Forest (PA)
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/

Genesee Riverway Trail and Riverside Parks in Rochester (NY)
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589936619

Genesee Valley Greenway (NY)
http://www.fogvg.org/

Letchworth State Park (NY)
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/79/details.aspx
and less officially but with beautiful sound and images http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXgIehbWRKY For whitewater kayaking in Letchworth, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHugdqneKnk

Lyman Run State Park (PA)
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lymanrun.aspx

Pine Creek Gorge (PA)
http://www.visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html
http://www.gis.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/NorthCentral.aspx?RegID=2

State Forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Allegany County, NY,
Map for “Section III: Allegany County Open Space: New York State Land” (NY) http://www.alleganyplanning.com/maps.html

WAG Trail (Wellsville-Addison-Galeton Rail-Trail, a.k.a. “Wellsville River Trail,” along Genesee River from Wellsville to NY/PA border), Map for “Section II: Allegany County Open Space: Recreational Trailways” (NY) http://www.alleganyplanning.com/maps.html

Organizations Active in the Genesee River Wilds

Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway
http://www.fogvg.org/

Genesee Valley Conservancy
http://www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org/

Trout Unlimited, Upper Genesee Chapter
http://uppergenny.x10hosting.com/

Grants and Technical Assistance to Help Counties, Townships, Village Offices, Community Organizations, Non-Profit Groups, and Individuals Participate in Genesee River Wilds Project (Lots of Money and Help Available for ANY Relevant Group for the Asking–Not just for Committees of Leading Agencies)

American Rivers (educational literature and information on strategies and funding sources; see especially “Community Tools,” “Citizen Guides,” and “River Basics”)
http://www.americanrivers.org/

Appalachian Regional Commission (resources for both Allegany County, NY, and Potter County, PA; see especially “Community Infrastructure” page for “Water and Wastewater Infrastructure” and look at “Sources of Funding” for environmental projects and others related to Genesee River)
www.arc.gov

Federal Highway Administration (trail funding programs; e.g., can provide up to 80% of funds for greenway trail for bicycles, hiking, and other environmentally sustainable recreation)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/rectrails/fundrec.htm

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, Floodplain Management (provides financial benefits to communities that enact zoning and other policies that direct construction and development away from floodplain)
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/index.shtm

Finger Lakes-Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (logistical support and funding for projects along Genesee River in NY, usually managed by county soil and water conservation districts)
http://www.fllowpa.org

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (NEW and EXTREMELY Helpful!!!!!!!!!  $475 Million [!] federal program with MANY grants applicable to upper Genesee River, such as stream bank erosion projects, habitat restoration for brook trout and wildlife, incentives for farmers and other landowners along the river, and other grants designed to address streams and rivers that empty into Lake Ontario and other Great Lakes; recommended to contact EPA and relevant state conservation agency before applying for a grant to see how your proposal fits with other collaborating state and regional agencies):  See especially the “Interagency Funding Guide” at http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/glri

National Park Service (educational literature, strategies, and technical assistance for hiking trails, water trails, flood control, et al.)
http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (grants and collaboration in NY, both state and regional offices; e.g., Open Space funding)
http://www.dec.ny.gov/

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (grants and collaboration in NY, both state and regional offices; e.g., provides 50-75% of funds for purchase and development of land along Genesee River or tributary creek for environmentally sustainable county park or municipal park)
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (grants and collaboration in PA, both state and regional offices)
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (grants and collaboration in PA, both state and regional offices)
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/dep/site/default.asp

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (maps, technical assistance, grants, educational literature, research on economic and other implications, and other sources related to trail system along Genesee River)
http://www.railstotrails.org

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (grants and other assistance providing financial incentives to farmers and agricultural programs for nutrient reduction in river systems, limiting livestock access to streams, and other projects; e.g., EQIP shares 75-90% of costs)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/EQIP/

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (grants and assistance for preserving land and developing recreational infrastructure in PA along Genesee River, Pine Creek, and interstate trail route in between; e.g., see conservancy’s Canoe Access Development Fund)
http://paconserve.org/
(see “Land and Water” or paconserve.org/112/conserving-water

Models in Other Areas for Business Development in Genesee River Wilds

Nature Quest, Inc. (Environmental education, wildlife observation excursions, guide service for a variety of outdoor activities in Pine Creek  Gorge area for all ages)
http://www.naturequestadventures.com/