Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative sets sail

Spearheaded by the Center for Environmental Information (CEI), the New York state north coast community renewed their commitment to the coastal waters of Lake Ontario with the release of the Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative (LOCI) Action Agenda. The LOCI Action Agenda outlines a strategy for remediation, restoration, conservation and sustainable development in the coastal region.

New York's Lake Ontario coastal waters are a valuable resource for drinking water, recreational sports, wastewater processing and a key asset in the economic revitalization of upstate New York. However, these same waters are plagued with many persistent impairments. LOCI is a 15-year multi-million dollar program that brings together public/private, grassroots, state and federal agencies in a coordinated collaborative effort to restore New York's North Coast.

The LOCI Action Agenda calls for a strategy to secure funds and resources to: achieve scientific understanding; educate citizens; and implement locally supported priorities, programs and projects in the region. The Action Agenda includes mapped characterization of the coast, identifies key regional issues and provides recommendations for research, monitoring and outreach programs. It also provides a framework for implementation.

May 21, 2006