Federal Interest Determination to protect Old Fort Niagara approved

Published March 21, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has determined that there is a federal interest in pursuing a project to mitigate erosion that is threatening the seawall and historic structures at Old Fort Niagara Park, Youngstown, NY under Section 14 of the 1946 Flood Control Act.

The seawall along the north shoreline, where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario, has been eroding over the years, and this project would investigate methods to protect the “French Castle” built in 1726 and the North Redoubt, built in 1771.

“With this federal interest determination, our project delivery team will now continue with the plan formulation process and coordinate with our local sponsor, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, to execute a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement,” said CPT Henry Harpen, USACE Buffalo District Project Manager.  “The Feasibility Phase of the project, funds permitting, can produce a detailed project report in as quickly as 24 months, and the engineering and design work can begin immediately thereafter.”

Across the Nation our infrastructure is need of repair. The repair work at Old Fort Niagara will have to compete against other federal CAP Section 14 needs across the Nation, for limited funds, to continue moving forward.     

"The preservation of Old Fort Niagara is imperative for the economy and history of our Western New York community,” said Congressman Chris Collins, NY 27th District. "We will work with the Army Corps to get the appropriate funding for this project."

“We are absolutely honored to contribute to the preservation of this important piece of American military history,” said CPT Harpen.  “The U.S. Army officially deactivated Fort Niagara in 1963, but today we have the opportunity to protect it as a national historic landmark in concert with our partners at the Old Fort Niagara Association and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.”

Under the CAP Section 14, Emergency Streambank and Shoreline Protection, alternatives will be looked at to protect Old Fort Niagara from Lake Ontario wave action.

More information on the CAP Section 14 program:

https://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Overview/Continuing-Authorities-Program/


Contact
Andrew Kornacki
716-879-4349
716-352-8669 (cell)
andrew.a.kornacki@usace.army.mil

Release no. UNRELEASED