The Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper announced the completion of the habitat restoration project for the Buffalo River Monday morning.
Executive director Jill Jedlicka said this is one of the last steps in taking the river off the EPA’s Areas of Concern list.
“Times are changing and we’re seeing a transformation here in Buffalo,” she said.
Restoration took place at many sites along the river, including the Katherine Street Peninsula, the Buffalo Color Peninsula, and the Ohio Street Boat Launch.
The river was heavily polluted from years of industry and agricultural runoff.
“Buffalo, like many cities throughout the country, suffered from industrial waste that was allowed to be dumped right in our lakes and our rivers," said Congressman Brian Higgins, who said the river has come a long way from those days.
Other locations on the EPA’s list of Areas of Concern are Niagara River, the Maumee River and the Rochester Embayment. The Buffalo River could be delisted sometime in 2022.