SOUTHERN TIER WEST REGIONAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD
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Southwestern New York State Economic Plan
About
Engagement
Background & SWOT
Action Plan
Evaluation
Conclusion
Data Visuals
Full PDF Plan

Natural Environment

Focus Group Meetings


All focus groups emphasized that southwestern New York's natural environment is its greatest strength. Strengths must be tended, invested in, and monitored, in order to remain a strength. Waterways were especially noted as a primary strength and a high priority for investment and protection.

Strengths
geography, health of environment, caring citizens, culture, fisheries and wildlife, waterways, trail efforts

Weaknesses
​lack of collaboration, failure to use a regional approach, poor follow-through and enforcement of regulations, myopic vision

Opportunities
​increased interest in rural outdoor tourism, attractive residential location for those who work remotely, increased collaboration opportunities

Threats
​increasing demand for people to buy and build on rural lands, economic collapse, sprawl, failing infrastructure

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Map indicating rare plants and animals populations (orange highlighted areas) in the vicinity of Salamanca and Allegany State Park.
NYS DEC Environmental Resource Mapper GIS tool, 2023
Objectives
  • Objective #1 Assist communities in developing best practices for water protection & management, solar siting, and environmental planning
  • Objective #2 Create regular communication across region and share efforts for mapping, planning and conserving land
  • Objective #3 Promote ecotourism and recreation economies
  • Objective #4 Mitigate the impact of invasive plants
  • Objective #5 Protect water bodies from damage due to septic systems, poorly sited development and other threats
ACTION PLAN
SOUTHERN TIER WEST
​Center for Regional Excellence
4039 Route 219, Suite 200
Salamanca, NY 14779

716-945-5301  
​Fax 716-945-5550
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LINKS
STWest YouTube Channel
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STW"s mission is to help coordinate and enhance planning and development activities in Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Counties so as to promote social, physical, and economic development in these counties. Southern Tier West seeks to improve the quality of life for the region's people and assure that the "people of the Southern Tier West region have access to adequate occupational, educational, and recreational opportunities; environment; health care services; housing; public safety; and transportation.

SOCIAL
Southern Tier West
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Committees
    • Counties We Serve
    • Affiliations >
      • STEDO
      • STERA
      • STW Angel Fund
      • STW Development Foundation
    • Designations
    • Photos
  • Funding
    • ARC Funding
    • EDA Funding
  • Programs
    • Clean Energy Communities
    • Economic Development
    • GIS
    • Food System Development
    • Local Government >
      • Resources/Archived Training
      • .gov
      • 2025 CAP Members
      • 2024 CAP Members
      • 2023 CAP Members
      • 2022 CAP Members
      • 2021 CAP Members
      • 2020 CAP Members
    • Water Source Management
  • Training
    • Local Government Conference
    • Fall Planning & Zoning Training
    • Powers & Duties of Newly Elected Officials
  • CEDS
    • CEDS About
    • CEDS Engagement
    • CEDS Background
    • CEDS Action Plan >
      • Natural Environment
      • Built Environment
      • Business & Industry
      • Human Capital
    • CEDS Data Visuals
  • Publications
  • Links