Thursday, February 26, 2015

March to Lake Day

March to Lake Day
Saturday, March 7, 2015, 9 am-12:30 pm
 
Symposium and Workshop
The Bisgrove Theatre
Cayuga Community College
197 Franklin Street
Auburn NY, 13021
 
Dr. John Halfman of the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges will present a description of the condition of Owasco Lake, based on new data collected in 2014, and compare its condition to the other Finger Lakes.

Dr. Greg Boyer, Director Great Lakes Research Consortium, Professor of Biochemistry and Chair, Department of Chemistry SUNY- College of Environmental Science and Forestry will present an overview of the relationship between phosphorus levels and algae blooms, including attention to cyanobacteria.

Dr. Elizabeth Moran of EcoLogic will present an overview of her current efforts to update the Owasco Lake Management Plan (2000). She and colleagues will also help Interactive breakout groups discuss and provide input to this work.
 
Update on Enhanced Watershed Action Program "The Ask"
(letter writing campaign to NYS Representatives)

Free and open to the public.
Additional information:

Monday, February 9, 2015

Please help us help Owasco Lake!

Dear OWLA Members,

Under the leadership of the OWLA Board of Directors and OWLA Members, we have an opportunity to obtain state funding for Owasco Lake in the 2015 NYS budget.  The funding, if included in the budget, will address the need to decrease phosphates, blue green algae and invasive species in the Lake. We need your support by sending letters to our state representatives as rapidly as possible, within the next 10 days.

It is important for our state representatives to understand and support the funding request made by OWLA members for the 2015 NYS budget (The Ask).

As an OWLA member and (or just a) person concerned with the cleanliness and health of Owasco Lake, we need you and anyone else who cares about Owasco Lake to write a letter (long or short) to the representatives listed. The letter should state how important our budget funding request is for the survival and health of Owasco Lake, as the monies will assist and help in the cleanup of the Lake.

The most effective method to get the state representatives' attention is a personal letter (hand written, typed, word processed).  It is important that letters be written for the survival of the Lake as we know it, for it is not only used for recreation, but it is our drinking water.

Please! Help to save Owasco Lake by sending your letter within the next two weeks.

The letter is to request the inclusion of the Owasco Lake funding in the 2015 NYS budget.
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An example of a letter would be:

I write this letter to request the inclusion of Owasco Lake funding in the 2015 NYS budget.  Immediate action for funding would assist in addressing the degradation of the lake in its impaired state (phosphates, blue green algae, and invasive species).

It is important that action needs to be taken to help provide monies in the 2015 NYS budget to address the phosphorus runoff, phosphorus in the Lake, blue green algae blooms, and related invasive species for Owasco Lake's health.

Thank you for your support of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) efforts to restore Owasco Lake and immediately begin to reverse its degradation on behalf of all of us in the Central New York Region.

Cordially,
(please be sure to sign your name)
A list of representatives is at the end of this email
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Please let us know that you have done this so we can keep track by copying your letter of support to me.

Thank you in advance for taking the time from your busy schedule to make this both your priority and our accomplishment.

We have a real opportunity for funding to help us address the health of Owasco Lake. Your help and the communities help can make it happen.

Cordially,

James L. Beckwith, President
OWLA

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OWLA State Representatives: district and Albany offices:

Senator Michael F. Nozzolio
119 Fall St
Seneca Falls,NY 13148
(315) 946-4948

Albany Office
188 State Street, Room 503, Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2366
Fax: (518) 426-6953

Senator John A. DeFrancisco
333 E. Washington St.
800 State Office Building
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 428-7632

Albany Office
416 Capitol
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-3511

Senator James L. Seward
235 N. Prospect St.
Herkimer, NY 13350
 607) 758-9005

Albany Office
172 State Street Room 430, Capitol
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-3131

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch
69 South St.
Auburn, NY 13021
315-255-3045

Albany Office
LOB 448
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5878

Assemblyman Bob Oaks
10 Leach Rd.
Lyons, NY 14489
315-946-5166

Albany Office:
Capitol 444
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5655