CHEEKTOWAGA Residents vent about quarry, wildlife issues

[cheeky043]

CHEEKTOWAGA Residents vent about quarry, wildlife issues
By BARBARA O'BRIEN
News Southtowns Bureau
3/22/2005

Cheektowaga residents gave the Town Board grief Monday night about the expansion of mining at a stone quarry and the reduction of deer and geese populations.
Buffalo Crushed Stone wants to mine an additional 39 acres within the Bellevue quarry, and the board Monday night asked the state to consider the town as an involved agency for the environmental review. Board members also approved a population-reduction program for geese.

Town Supervisor Dennis H. Gabryszak came under fire for not acting on a letter from the state Department of Environmental Conservation he received last October. The letter sought town input on the proposed amendment to Buffalo Crushed Stone's mining permit.

The quarry wants to expand its mining to the area where its rock-crushing and asphalt plants stand, which would extend the life span of the mine by 20 years.

"It's a little late. It's like six months too late," said Jane Wiercioch, president of the Depew/Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association. She said the group's consultant thinks that the period for public comment has likely expired. "This is not like anything this community has ever seen before."

"I think you made a very big mistake by not answering the letter," said Donna Kaczmarek Hosmer of the Cheektowaga Citizens Coalition. "Why weren't the people told?"

Town officials said that by taking action Monday night, the town has preserved its rights. The town wants to be involved in the scheduling of a public meeting on the impact of the mining expansion. In addition, it wants the DEC to notify the town of any actions and provide the town with copies of all pertinent documents.

"We'll convey any comments to the DEC," Councilman Thomas M. Johnson Jr. said.

The town would not want to be the lead agency in the review because it is in litigation with Buffalo Crushed Stone over an earlier proposal to expand mining beyond the existing quarry, Town Attorney Michael J. Stachowski said.

Town officials said that even if the DEC eventually grants the mining permit, the town still must approve a zoning change to allow the asphalt plant to move.

The Town Board also approved an agreement to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture administer its Canada geese-management program for the town at a cost not to exceed $20,000. The three-phase program involves shaking the eggs or spraying them with oil so they do not hatch, harassing the geese with low-grade pyrotechnics, and rounding up some geese during their molting season and euthanizing them.

"You can't keep killing everything," said Anita Depczynski, who has been convicted of feeding the deer in Stiglmeier Park.

Depczynski and others also said they have come across bloodstains in the park from deer killed in the bait-and-shoot program for reducing the number of deer.

"A little boy and his dad walked in the blood. You guys did a terrible job," said Kelly Robinson of Depew.

"You never made any accommodation for wildlife in Stiglmeier Park," Depczynski said.

"We appreciate wildlife as much as anyone else," Council Member James J. Jankowiak said. "We're trying to find a middle ground."

The supervisor said the town is continuing to look into nonlethal methods of dealing with the deer and geese problems.


e-mail: bobrien@buffnews.coments

[ichingtheory]

CHEEKTOWAGA Residents vent about quarry, wildlife issues
By BARBARA O'BRIEN
News Southtowns Bureau
3/22/2005

Cheektowaga residents gave the Town Board grief Monday night about the expansion of mining at a stone quarry and the reduction of deer and geese populations.
Buffalo Crushed Stone wants to mine an additional 39 acres within the Bellevue quarry, and the board Monday night asked the state to consider the town as an involved agency for the environmental review. Board members also approved a population-reduction program for geese.

Town Supervisor Dennis H. Gabryszak came under fire for not acting on a letter from the state Department of Environmental Conservation he received last October. The letter sought town input on the proposed amendment to Buffalo Crushed Stone's mining permit.

The quarry wants to expand its mining to the area where its rock-crushing and asphalt plants stand, which would extend the life span of the mine by 20 years.

"It's a little late. It's like six months too late," said Jane Wiercioch, president of the Depew/Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association. She said the group's consultant thinks that the period for public comment has likely expired. "This is not like anything this community has ever seen before."

"I think you made a very big mistake by not answering the letter," said Donna Kaczmarek Hosmer of the Cheektowaga Citizens Coalition. "Why weren't the people told?"

Town officials said that by taking action Monday night, the town has preserved its rights. The town wants to be involved in the scheduling of a public meeting on the impact of the mining expansion. In addition, it wants the DEC to notify the town of any actions and provide the town with copies of all pertinent documents.

"We'll convey any comments to the DEC," Councilman Thomas M. Johnson Jr. said.

The town would not want to be the lead agency in the review because it is in litigation with Buffalo Crushed Stone over an earlier proposal to expand mining beyond the existing quarry, Town Attorney Michael J. Stachowski said.

Town officials said that even if the DEC eventually grants the mining permit, the town still must approve a zoning change to allow the asphalt plant to move.

The Town Board also approved an agreement to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture administer its Canada geese-management program for the town at a cost not to exceed $20,000. The three-phase program involves shaking the eggs or spraying them with oil so they do not hatch, harassing the geese with low-grade pyrotechnics, and rounding up some geese during their molting season and euthanizing them.

"You can't keep killing everything," said Anita Depczynski, who has been convicted of feeding the deer in Stiglmeier Park.

Depczynski and others also said they have come across bloodstains in the park from deer killed in the bait-and-shoot program for reducing the number of deer.

"A little boy and his dad walked in the blood. You guys did a terrible job," said Kelly Robinson of Depew.

"You never made any accommodation for wildlife in Stiglmeier Park," Depczynski said.

"We appreciate wildlife as much as anyone else," Council Member James J. Jankowiak said. "We're trying to find a middle ground."

The supervisor said the town is continuing to look into nonlethal methods of dealing with the deer and geese problems.


e-mail: bobrien@buffnews.coments

Just when I thought Town of Lancaster was the worst town.. How horrible for the wild life. Just a suggestion, someone should get PETA involved . Believe me, they will help you out in regards to wildlife issue.

[knowsitall]

The original post was from 2005.....

[cheekman]

the town continues to use the bait and shot program to kill deer at losson park. just go for a walk on the trails you won't see much. it's a money...... gab meaning OT call your elected officials see what they do.

[nogods]

Instead of wasting the deer population the town should open the park to bow hunting. towns around Rochester do it and it works out very well.

the Deer Lady should go back to jail. Her concept of "wildlife" is a pet.

[Save Us]

I often enjoy listening to Amherstites expounding on their love of nature, deer, cute little bunnies,,except when they eat their flowers..


Its tough to have it both ways.

I am sure that Cheektowaga is different though

[cheekman]

Instead of wasting the deer population the town should open the park to bow hunting. towns around Rochester do it and it works out very well.

the Deer Lady should go back to jail. Her concept of "wildlife" is a pet.

nogods great idea go to the next town board meeting and suggest it. one big problem no one would get over-time if they would go that way.