The Buffalo River Area of Concern (AOC) is located in Western New York in the city of Buffalo. In 1987, the Buffalo River and its surrounding area was designated as an Area of Concern as part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The river discharges into Lake Erie near the head of the Niagara River in Erie County, New York.
The area surrounding the river has a history of heavy industrial and municipal activity, which led to large amounts of pollutants entering the river. Beginning in 1825, the Buffalo River served as the western terminus for the Erie Canal. Due to the ease and convenience of transporting goods and supplies through the canal, many industries were built along the river including grain elevators, iron and steel mills, meat processing plants and chemical and oil refineries. Although these industries dominated the area for decades, the 1950s saw a steep decline in manufacturing and transportation business along the river and many factories and mills were abandoned.
Sources of potential pollution that caused impairments include contaminated sediment, combined sewer overflows, inactive hazardous waste sites and other point and non-point discharges. Contaminants in the river and sediments include Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals (lead and mercury), pesticides and industrial organics. The remedial action plan (RAP) for the Buffalo River AOC is coordinated by the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper.
Remedial Action Plan Documents
Beneficial Use Impairments (BUIs) and Removal Reports
- Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
- Tainting of Fish and Wildlife Flavor (PDF) - Removed June 2020
- Degradation of Fish and Wildlife Populations
- Fish Tumors or Other Deformities
- Bird or Animal Deformities or Reproduction Problems
- Degradation of Benthos (PDF) - Removed September 2023
- Restrictions on Dredging Activities (PDF) - Removed September 2022
- Degradation of Aesthetics (PDF) - Removed August 2018
- Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat - Removed July 2023
