Project and Program Background & Process

Each Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) must contain 7 sections which are defined and detailed by the New York Department of State (DOS):

1. Waterfront Revitazliation Area (WRA) Boundary

2. Inventory & Analysis

3. Local Waterfront Revitalization Policies

4. Proposed Land and Water Uses

5. Techniques for Local Implementation

6. State and Federal Actions and Programs Likely to Affect Implementation

7. Local Commitment and Consultation with Other Affected Federal, State, Regional, and Local Agencies

What are the benefits of an LWRP?

There are several key benefits to a community that prepares an LWRP. They include:

• Local, state and federal actions are required to be consistent with the approved LWRP to the maximum extent practicable. This “consistency” provision is a strong tool that helps ensure all government levels work in unison to build a stronger economy and a healthier environment. This can provide peace-of-mind for property owners.

• A LWRP reflects community consensus. As such, it can significantly increase a community’s ability to attract appropriate development that will respect its unique cultural and natural characteristics.

• A LWRP establishes a long-term partnership among local government, community based organizations, and the State, providing a source of technical assistance to prepare and implement a Local Program.

• A LWRP presents a unified vision; it therefore increases a community’s chances to obtain public and private funding for projects. Funding for both the development and implementation of Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs is available through grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF LWRP), among other sources.

What's the history of the NCC LWRPs?

The Northern Chautauqua County communities have gone through several phases in developing LWRPs.

• Phase 1:

  • Started in 2012 as a joint LWRP including all 10 communities along Lake Erie in Chautauqua County

  • Completed first draft of joint LWRP in 2015

• Phase 2:

  • Started in 2017 and continued the work and progress from Phase 1

  • In 2019, the State made changes to the LWRP program requiring 8 separate LWRP documents instead of a single joint LWRP for the region

• Phase 3:

  • Started in mid-2024

  • Process now will lead to 8 separate LWRP documents

What's the timeline for this LWRP update?

The continued development of the NCC LWRPs started in spring 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in early 2025. The process for this update is shown below.

Planning Process