RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT

RECREATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT

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Prepared for: New York Power Authority

Prepared by: Kleinschmidt Associates

August 2005

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) is engaged in the relicensing of the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, New York. As part of relicensing preparation, NYPA conducted this Recreation Needs Assessment for the Project. The Recreation Needs Assessment is designed to provide information on the supply of, and demand for, recreation in and around the Niagara Power Project. This information will aid in the development of a license application for the Project, including development of a report on recreational resources in accordance with FERC regulations.

There is a wide diversity of recreation opportunity available at the Niagara Power Project and its surrounding area. These opportunities are well supported by the existing supply of recreation facilities, There are a total of 33 developed recreation sites located along approximately 5 miles of the Niagara River. Ten of these sites are located either wholly or partially within the Niagara Power Project Federal energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary. Many of the sites are connected through a fairly well developed trail network, as well as major roadways. Public access and facilities are particularly well developed along the Upper Niagara River and at Niagara Falls itself. Existing public access and facilities are more limited along the Niagara River Gorge (due in part to the Gorge's steep topography) and the Lower Niagara River (due in part to private land ownership).

On an annual basis, recreation sites located along the Niagara River from the Peace Bridge in the City of Buffalo downstream to Lake Ontario