OGDENSBURG -- The City of Ogdensburg has been awarded $50,000 for tree plantings and waterfront development through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Officials will use the recently completed tree inventory and management plan, to increase tree plantings, mitigate stormwater runoff, and improve water quality at two waterfront sites on the Oswegatchie River.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) task force includes 11 federal agencies working to clean toxins, combat invasive species, and promote ecosystem health by mitigating polluted run-off and restoring wetlands and other habitats.

“Clean water comes from abundant tree cover,” said Tony Ferguson, director, U.S. Forest Service Northeastern Area. “These grants put people to work restoring shoreland ecosystems, barren streets and polluted industrial sites.”

Through this round of funding the U.S. Forest Service will help improve urban forests, tree canopy and water quality in six Great Lakes states, through nearly $2.5 million in grants.

The City of Ogdensburg and the City of Syracuse are the only two New York State communities to receive funds through this award.

“Grassroots efforts create sustainable communities and ensure the health of the Great Lakes,” said Ferguson. “I’m excited to see these grants go to so many new partners.”

Andrea L. Smith, director of planning and development is happy to be one of these new partners.

“The Marina District is the focus of ongoing waterfront redevelopment, and is the centerpiece of the city’s recreational trail system, which now includes a pedestrian bridge and soon to be completed open space amenities.”

Specifically, funds provided through the GLRI will be used to increase tree plantings, and design and construct bio-retention areas on the western bank of the Oswegatchie that will improve infiltration, thereby reducing stormwater runoff.

According to the U.S. Forest Service “Stormwater runoff is the number one cause of stream impairment in urban areas”, but is still manageable.

“Trees not only help slow down and store runoff which can promote infiltration and lessen risk of erosion, but certain tree species can even reduce levels of pollutants entering our streams and rivers” said Smith.

Planning for this project is slated to begin this winter, with tree plantings as early as spring 2014.