Abstract
The Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, in collaboration with the Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation and the United States Army Corps of Engineers, are guiding an investigation of capital improvements to the existing bridges, abutments and retaining walls spanning Scajaquada Creek within Forest Lawn Cemetery. The goals of the partnership include 1) field assessments of Scajaquada Creek sediments and water-quality parameters, 2) the evaluation of habitat and water flow conditions that affect infrastructure stability, 3) an analysis of flood occurrences within the lower Scajaquada watershed, 4) the development of a water budget for Forest Lawn Cemetery and Hoyt Lake, 5) the compilation of surface-water and groundwater flow models of the lower Scajaquada Creek watershed, and 6) the coordination of end states that are agreeable to a wide range of stakeholders in the watershed.
These focused goals also support the Niagara River Remedial Action Plan by contributing critical baseline information to address three beneficial use impairments:
- Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations,
- Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat, and
- Restrictions on Dredging Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs).
The modeling tools compiled for the first phase are instrumental in understanding the systemic hydrology, sediment transport patterns, and resulting habitat conditions within Scajaquada Creek and Forest Lawn Cemetery. They will be used to assess conceptual designs of restoration initiatives within Forest Lawn Cemetery to promote ecological resiliency within Scajaquada Creek and decrease stress on existing Cemetery infrastructure. The presentation will focus on these initial components and planned applications.
The results of this collaborative effort are intended to guide Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation in planning for a future that includes a restored and ecologically functional Scajaquada Creek as a critical Cemetery and community asset. The end product is a holistic approach to stream restoration, urban interaction, and the elimination of Scajaquada Creek as a sediment source area to the Niagara River Area of Concern (AOC).
Bios
Kerrie Gallo works as the Director of Ecological Programs for Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. She is a seasoned natural resource planner and project manager offering more than 14 years of conservation planning, site plan review, regulatory oversight, and legislative and policy development experience. Kerrie holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from William Smith College and a Master's degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Anna Jessen currently serves as a Hydraulic Engineer for the Buffalo District's Hydraulic and Hydrology Branch. Her primary responsibility is hydraulic analysis and design for flood control projects. She develops hydraulic information and analyses for engineering plans, specifications, design memoranda, real estate requirements, relocation matters, cost estimates, and budgetary matters. Anna also supports the districts Hazardous, Toxic, Radiological Waste (HTRW) design center by preparing plans and reports as well as assisting with field sampling events.
Bill Frederick has been working in the environmental field for 24 years in both the private and public sector. He started as a hydrogeologist with Dames & Moore, later URS, and now is a lead hydrogeologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bill is a Licensed Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania. He now guides groundwater and soil remediation projects for the Buffalo District and supports several remedial programs under the DOE and EPA.
