Overview of the Peter Cooper Site:
The Peter Cooper Gowanda (PCG) Superfund Site is a twenty-six acre parcel of property that once housed a large glue factory, reported at one time to be the biggest in the world. The factory played an important role in the history of the Village of Gowanda, New York as it was one of the area’s largest industrial employers for the better part of the 20th century (1904 –1985) and helped establish the Village as the commercial and residential hub of the primarily rural region of central-western New York. The factory, however, also left a legacy of environmental contamination that the community is struggling to resolve. Beginning in 1971 the site became a concern to environmental regulatory agencies, culminating in its inclusion on the National Priorities List (Federal Superfund) in 1998.
In July 2001 the Village of Gowanda commissioned the University at Buffalo Center for Integrated Waste Management to carry out this Reuse Assessment and Concept Plan for the PCG site. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has provided financial support for the project through its Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) program.
“What does the future hold for the Peter Cooper Gowanda Superfund Site". This is an important question in the Superfund remediation process as assumptions about future use of the site, referred to as the "reasonably anticipated future land use" by the USEPA, weigh heavily in decisions that may have long-term impact on the neighborhoods and communities that surround Superfund sites. The "reasonably anticipated future land use" at Superfund sites is used at the risk assessment stage and subsequently in the final decision on the extent of remediation that will take place on the site.
The USEPA has noted that: “Current land use is critical in determining whether there is a current risk associated with a Superfund site, and future land use is important in estimating potential future threats.” The Village identified several goals and objectives it hoped to accomplish with the resources made available through the SRI program, including:
Recreation along the Cattaraugus:
The Peter Cooper Gowanda Site sits in a unique and strategic location unlike any other property in the Village or region. The site is located directly on Cattaraugus Creek at the mouth of the Zoar Valley - the two defining natural resources of the region. Cattaraugus Creek, once considered a prime source of power to run the early industries in Gowanda, is now a popular destination for whitewater rafting and trout/salmon fishing enthusiasts. Right in front of the site are several well-known fishing spots, as well as a whitewater rapid known as the “Grand Finale”.
Access to Cattaraugus Creek and Zoar Valley is very limited due to the steep topography of the valley and the amount of property along the creek that is under private ownership. The PCG site, therefore, offers one of the few undeveloped access points (at-grade or near-grade) to the Creek in the Village or surrounding areas. Cattaraugus Creek has been identified as a Priority Project in the New York State Open Space Plan.
CATTARAUGUS CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES – This stream system is the single most important Lake Erie tributary for the salmonid fishery within New York State. The spring and fall migrations of steelhead trout (rainbow) attract thousands of anglers to the creek each year and access has become a premium. The system also provides access to Lake Erie by the boating user. The creek has habitat and is currently utilized by the steelhead for spawning/nursery areas and this natural propagation of the primary sport species is critical in supplementing the overall trout fishery in the Lake Erie system.
Cattaraugus Creek is one of the most often visited water bodies by fishermen in New York State according to the last two statewide angler surveys. [2] Fishermen are often seen in several areas alongside the PCG site. In addition, representatives of the Seneca Nation of Indians who were contacted as part of this project spoke of the difficulty they were having in keeping enough fishing licenses on hand with the upturn in demand that they have witnessed over the last several years. Included with this report, is the Map and Guide for Steelhead Fishing in Cattaraugus Creek published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which provides detailed information about the fishing opportunities in Cattaraugus Creek.
Whitewater paddling (including kayaking, canoeing, rafting) is another popular use of Cattaraugus Creek. The Village of Gowanda is now home to two whitewater companies: Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting Company and Adventure Calls. There is also a very active Zoar Valley Paddler’s Club. Near the PCG site is a water depth gauge, whose information is available to Creek users 24-hours per day through both an automated phone service and the Internet. The growing popularity of Cattaraugus Creek as a whitewater enthusiasts’ destination is reflected in a recent article, “Whitewater Rush" that appeared in the newspaper of a large community eighty-five miles from Gowanda. Excerpts from that article appear below.
When the Club representative was asked what whitewater paddlers need to enjoy their Cattaraugus Creek/Zoar Valley experience more, two things were mentioned: an area next to the Creek to camp for those taking multiple day trips; and access to food and supplies.
Another locational advantage that the PCG site enjoys is being across the Creek from a scenic bluff, as pictured below.
The Peter Cooper Gowanda (PCG) Superfund Site is a twenty-six acre parcel of property that once housed a large glue factory, reported at one time to be the biggest in the world. The factory played an important role in the history of the Village of Gowanda, New York as it was one of the area’s largest industrial employers for the better part of the 20th century (1904 –1985) and helped establish the Village as the commercial and residential hub of the primarily rural region of central-western New York. The factory, however, also left a legacy of environmental contamination that the community is struggling to resolve. Beginning in 1971 the site became a concern to environmental regulatory agencies, culminating in its inclusion on the National Priorities List (Federal Superfund) in 1998.
In July 2001 the Village of Gowanda commissioned the University at Buffalo Center for Integrated Waste Management to carry out this Reuse Assessment and Concept Plan for the PCG site. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has provided financial support for the project through its Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) program.
“What does the future hold for the Peter Cooper Gowanda Superfund Site". This is an important question in the Superfund remediation process as assumptions about future use of the site, referred to as the "reasonably anticipated future land use" by the USEPA, weigh heavily in decisions that may have long-term impact on the neighborhoods and communities that surround Superfund sites. The "reasonably anticipated future land use" at Superfund sites is used at the risk assessment stage and subsequently in the final decision on the extent of remediation that will take place on the site.
The USEPA has noted that: “Current land use is critical in determining whether there is a current risk associated with a Superfund site, and future land use is important in estimating potential future threats.” The Village identified several goals and objectives it hoped to accomplish with the resources made available through the SRI program, including:
- Development of a reuse plan that fits both long and short-range community needs;
- • To increase the opportunity for public involvement and consensus building;
- • Enhance development of adjacent property; and Insure that the form of remediation is compatible with the future use needs of the community.
Recreation along the Cattaraugus:
The Peter Cooper Gowanda Site sits in a unique and strategic location unlike any other property in the Village or region. The site is located directly on Cattaraugus Creek at the mouth of the Zoar Valley - the two defining natural resources of the region. Cattaraugus Creek, once considered a prime source of power to run the early industries in Gowanda, is now a popular destination for whitewater rafting and trout/salmon fishing enthusiasts. Right in front of the site are several well-known fishing spots, as well as a whitewater rapid known as the “Grand Finale”.
Access to Cattaraugus Creek and Zoar Valley is very limited due to the steep topography of the valley and the amount of property along the creek that is under private ownership. The PCG site, therefore, offers one of the few undeveloped access points (at-grade or near-grade) to the Creek in the Village or surrounding areas. Cattaraugus Creek has been identified as a Priority Project in the New York State Open Space Plan.
CATTARAUGUS CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES – This stream system is the single most important Lake Erie tributary for the salmonid fishery within New York State. The spring and fall migrations of steelhead trout (rainbow) attract thousands of anglers to the creek each year and access has become a premium. The system also provides access to Lake Erie by the boating user. The creek has habitat and is currently utilized by the steelhead for spawning/nursery areas and this natural propagation of the primary sport species is critical in supplementing the overall trout fishery in the Lake Erie system.
Cattaraugus Creek is one of the most often visited water bodies by fishermen in New York State according to the last two statewide angler surveys. [2] Fishermen are often seen in several areas alongside the PCG site. In addition, representatives of the Seneca Nation of Indians who were contacted as part of this project spoke of the difficulty they were having in keeping enough fishing licenses on hand with the upturn in demand that they have witnessed over the last several years. Included with this report, is the Map and Guide for Steelhead Fishing in Cattaraugus Creek published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which provides detailed information about the fishing opportunities in Cattaraugus Creek.
Whitewater paddling (including kayaking, canoeing, rafting) is another popular use of Cattaraugus Creek. The Village of Gowanda is now home to two whitewater companies: Zoar Valley Canoe & Rafting Company and Adventure Calls. There is also a very active Zoar Valley Paddler’s Club. Near the PCG site is a water depth gauge, whose information is available to Creek users 24-hours per day through both an automated phone service and the Internet. The growing popularity of Cattaraugus Creek as a whitewater enthusiasts’ destination is reflected in a recent article, “Whitewater Rush" that appeared in the newspaper of a large community eighty-five miles from Gowanda. Excerpts from that article appear below.
- “The Cattaraugus ‘is one of the best kept secrets’ around … but serious paddlers have located this area. When the water is high, kayakers come from all over.”
- “The second half of the rafting trip along the Main Branch of the Cattaraugus is where most of the rapids are found, from Curly, Larry & Moe to Cruncher (a stretch that used to have a reputation as a guide ejector) to the Tannery to Slot to the Grand Finale (a true Class III: high, irregular waves capable of swamping an open boat).”
- Multiple-day trips from the first available upstream “put-in” at the Scoby Dam to the Creek’s outlet into Lake Erie;
- One day trips on a popular run from the NYSDEC access point in the Town of North Otto – through the Zoar Valley – ending in the Village of Gowanda; and
- Part-day trip beginning in Gowanda and ending in Versailles - a trip that is marked by less volatile rapids than the previous leg through the Zoar.
When the Club representative was asked what whitewater paddlers need to enjoy their Cattaraugus Creek/Zoar Valley experience more, two things were mentioned: an area next to the Creek to camp for those taking multiple day trips; and access to food and supplies.
Another locational advantage that the PCG site enjoys is being across the Creek from a scenic bluff, as pictured below.
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