Thursday, December 1, 2016

OWLA Meeting - 12/7/16

 Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting

December 7, 2016
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM
Draft Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests
 
Call to Order:
 
7:00PM Presentation: Andy Zepp; Executive Director
                              Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT)
 
Andy will provide an overview of FLLT's Conservation Strategy for the Finger Lakes. The report proposes $100 million in funding recommendations to address the "Top 10" water quality issues faced by all of the Finger Lakes. Andy also hopes to collect additional information from OWLA members.
 
 
7:30PM
I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of October, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV      President's Report  (Strategic Planning for 2017; The Sluiceway at Emerson Park; SON)
 
7:50PM
V.    Committee Reports
A. OWLA's Testing for 2016 - Ken Kudla
B. Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
C. Fox Toyota Watershed Projects - Rick Nelson
 
8:20PM          
VI.      Old Business
            D.  Communications - Carolyn Hiza
            E.  Membership - Rosemarie Romano
F. CAFO Permit Update Dana Hall
 
VII.    New Business  
8:30 PM Adjourn
 
We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

OWLA meeting on Wednesday 11/2

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting        
Wednesday November 2, 2016 
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM
Draft Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order:

I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of October, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV      President's Report

V.    Committee Reports

A. OWLA's Testing for 2016 - Ken Kudla
B. Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
C. Fox Toyota Watershed Projects - Rick Nelson
           
VI.      Old Business

            D.  The Sluiceway at Emerson Park
            E.  Communications - Carolyn Hiza
            F.  Membership - Rosemarie Romano
G. CAFO Permit Update - Dana Hall

VII.    New Business
 
8:30 PM Adjourn



We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Discuss Owasco Water Quality on TV


On Tuesday, October 18th the guests on "Inside Government with Guy Cosentino" will be the City of Auburn's Director of Municipal Utilities, Seth Jensen and the Owasco Watershed Lake Association's current President, Robert Brower and immediate past president, James Beckwith who will discuss the recent issue of Blue Algae in Owasco Lake and its impact on the Lake and local drinking water supplies.

The show airs at 7 PM on Time Warner 12 on Tuesday and at 8 PM on Thursday the 20th and will replay on Time Warner's 12 & 98 and FIOS Verizon Channel 31 on Saturday October 22nd and Sunday October 23rd at 5:00 PM from the Auburn Regional Media Access (ARMA).

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Drinking water tests improving!


The Auburn citizen is reporting today that the latest results from Thursday, Oct. 6 samples of water from the town of Owasco and city of Auburn's treatment plant showed no detectable levels of blue-green algae toxins. This is very good news after several days of rising levels of toxins found in testing.

Read more at:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/auburn-owasco-thursday-water-samples-detect-no-algal-toxins/article_287fd88e-45e4-5881-b94e-5f8074b3e49b.html

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Detectable Toxin levels continue......

Cayuga County Health Department is reporting that treated drinking water for the town of Owasco and the city of Auburn showed detectable levels of blue-green algae toxins in the latest round of tests — Owasco seeing the highest levels to date.

From AuburnPub.com:
"Owasco water tests show highest algae toxins yet, Auburn levels still detectable" Link:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/owasco-water-tests-show-highest-algae-toxins-yet-auburn-levels/article_ef90bb02-e335-505e-868e-fd39830b3f3b.html#utm_source=auburnpub.com&utm_campaign=%2Femail-updates%2Feedition%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A7ABE91B4AB87725FEC03F56B65C6C326743857B




Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Algae Bloom update


Good Morning Everyone, 10/3/2016

Last week, we had very few blooms of significant size. Unfortunately, the cyanobacteria cells were still present in the water column, but the weather conditions were not ideal for a bloom to develop at the surface. With the ability for the bacteria to migrate up and down in the water column, the toxin producing organism made their way into water intakes for the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco and eventually into the treated drinking water. Luckily, the toxins are at low enough levels that they are not a major health concern to children, pregnant women, or adult; but nevertheless, it is still a major concern for the water quality of Owasco Lake. The most recent results for the State Health Department have shown no detectable toxins in the drinking water for the City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco. We will continue to monitor the situation along with the County Health Department.

Today marks the last day of the year for weekly surveillance of your zone.
I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to help us better understand the frequency and severity of blooms in Owasco Lake. In the next few weeks/months, the inspection Program, OWLA, Health Department, and the DEC will meet to discuss the next step and hopefully come up with a plan to help minimize the impact Cyanobacteria on Owasco Lake. I think we exceeded our expectations for the first installment of the “Owasco Lake HAB Program” and it was not possible without the help of our 24 zone volunteers. 

As always, if you have any questions or would like to report a water quality concern, please feel free to contact me at anytime.

Sincerely,

Tim Schneider

Watershed Inspector
Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program
7413 County House Road
Auburn, NY 13021
Violations, & Technical Assistance:
ph(o): 315.252.4171 x-120

ph(c): 315.237.2066





Friday, September 30, 2016

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting       
October 5, 2016
  
Owasco Yacht Club at 7:00 pm
  
DRAFT Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests
  
Call to Order:
  
PROGRAM FOCUS:  Watershed Restoration Projects:
  
7 PM:  Dutch Hollow Brook, Jason Cuddeback, CC Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
  
Jason will review the nine projects in the Dutch Hollow Brook Sub-basin designed to reduce nutrient loading or sedimentation. This collaborative $200,000 program is being implemented by the SWCD as a result of NYS funds captured by OWLA in 2013.
  
7:30 PM the Fox Toyota Dealer Match Program, Rick Nelson, OWLA
  
Director Rick Nelson will summarize projects that have been proposed by the SWCD and the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program (OLWIP) with the goal of starting implementation in the fall of 2016. The projects proposed for this collaborative $20,000 program will be implemented by the proponents as a result of an award to OWLA in the summer of 2016, made possible by the generosity of Fox Toyota of Auburn, NY and the Toyota Corporation.
  
7:45 PM the Enhanced Watershed Action Program, Bob Brower, OWLA 
  
Bob Brower will review the status of this complex and collaborative program, focused on the Sucker Brook and Veness Brook Sub-basins designed to reduce nutrient loading or sedimentation. This collaborative $600,000 program is being implemented mostly by the SWCD as a result of NYS funds captured by OWLA in 2014.
         
  
  
8:00 PM 
  
I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of Sept, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV.    Committee Reports
A.  Lake Level Committee-Jim Beckwith
            B.  Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
             
V.      Old Business 
  
            D.  The Sluiceway at Emerson Park
            E.  Communications - Carolyn Hiza
            F.  Membership - Rosemarie Romano
 
VI.    New Business
G. Amend and Re-Confirm the Fox/Toyota Award Process and
H. Establish the Fox/Toyota Award Committee   
8:30 PM Adjourn

We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Blue-green algae found at Adams Point

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said test results on a water sample at Adams Point on Owasco Lake showed high toxin levels associated with blue-green algae, according to the Cayuga County Health Department on Friday.

Full story: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/health-department-blue-green-algae-found-at-adams-point-on/article_891ad1ca-cb9d-5219-9c8e-13e8fbd5902b.html#utm_source=auburnpub.com&utm_campaign=%2Femail-updates%2Fbreaking%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A7ABE91B4AB87725FEC03F56B65C6C326743857B

Friday, September 2, 2016

Owasco Lake Water Quality Notification Program - 8/29/16

Owasco Lake- Week 8 (August 29th) Summary

Hello Everyone,

As we enter into September, the life cycle of cyanobacteria that cause Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) starts to peak and blooms can become more frequent.

On Saturday August 27th, we received a number of reports about a potential HAB developing. Blooms were seen on the East side of the lake at Burtis Point, Adams Point (Wide Waters Lane) and Seward Point (Firelane 24 East); and on the West side of the lake at Cascade (Firelane 1-4 West) and near Firelane 26 West. A sample was Collected at Adams Point and Laboratory results indicated that the bloom did contain high cyanobacteria levels (281ug/L, above the WHO/DEC Threshold of 25-30ug/L), and toxins results have not yet been completed. Luckily the wind picked up on Sunday August 28th and the blooms have dissipated. Additional information can be found at owascoinspection.org regarding current conditions of the lake and any supplemental information.

Reports from weekly surveillance have indicated no evidence of a bloom this week. As always, if you suspect a bloom, please feel free to call me at 315-237-2066 or Drew Snell at 315-427-5188.

Best,

 Tim Schneider
Watershed Inspector

Owasco Lake Watershed Inspection Program
7413 County House Road
Auburn, NY 13021
www.owascoinspection.org

Violations, & Technical Assistance:
ph(o):   315.252.4171  x-120
ph(c):   315.237.2066

Thursday, September 1, 2016

OWLA meeting - Sept. 7th

  Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting       
September 7, 2016
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM
Draft Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests
  
Call to Order
  
I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of August 25, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
  
IV.    Committee Report
  
            A.  OWLA's Testing for 2016 - Ken Kudla
            B.  Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
            C.  Cove Captains Update - Linda Vitale, Jean Cannizzo
            D.  Communications - Carolyn Hiza
            E.  Membership - Rosemarie Romano

V.      Updates
  
              A.  Update HAB Program - Tim Schneider
              B.  The ASK - Bob Brower
              C.  Toyota/Fox Grant - Bob Brower                                             
             
VI.      Old Business 
  
                Summary of Progress of OWLA 
  
VII.    New Business
VIII.  Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)
             
Adjourn
We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.


Sunday, August 21, 2016

Special Meeting on Thursday August 25th

Owasco Watershed Lake Association
Special Meeting        
Thursday - August 25, 2016 
Auburn Public Theater at 8 Exchange Street
From 7:00- 8:30 PM
Agenda:

Welcome Members and Guests
Call to Order
 
Focused Meeting on Harmful Algae Blooms (HAB)
Telecommunications Conference with Dr. Rebecca Gorney of NYSDEC
 
A. Dr. Gorney (NYSDEC) will present a state-wide overview of the HAB issue, participating from Albany. Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector Tim Schneider will be attending and will offer a local perspective on the HAB circumstances in Owasco Lake, based on this year's sampling results.
 
B. Ad Hoc Notification Group Update-Peter Rogers will describe the current efforts to enhance presentation of information about HAB's in Owasco Lake. This focus is a part of the group's efforts to improve notification of all troubling issues identified through monitoring of the lake and watershed.
 
C. The Stream Identification/Information Program - Watershed Specialist Drew Snell, OLWIP will make an exciting announcement about the status of this new program.
 
There will be no OWLA business meeting at this special focus session. August minutes and financial reports will be approved at the regular September 7th OWLA meeting.
 
Adjourn


Monday, August 1, 2016

NEW DATE AND LOCATION August meeting

The OWLA August meeting will be held on Thursday, August 25, from 7 to 8:30 at the Auburn Public Theater at 8 Exchange Street, Auburn, New York 13021.

The August 25 meeting will include a focus on the Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) issue, with Dr. Rebecca Gorney of NYSDEC.  Dr. Gorney will teleconference in to the meeting from Albany. Owasco Lake Inspector Tim Schneider  will also be attending and will offer a local perspective on the HAB circumstances in Owasco Lake. A short business meeting will also occur, time permitting.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

OWLA Meeting May 4, 2016

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting
May 4, 2016
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

DRAFT Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests
 
Call to Order
 
I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of April 6, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
 
IV.    Committee Report
            A.  OWLA's Testing for 2016 - Ken Kudla
            B.  Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
            C.  Cove Captains Update - Linda Vitale, Jean Cannizzo
            D.  Communications - Carolyn Hiza
                    1. Newspaper Articles - Nancy Hart
            E.  Report on Strategic Planning - Bob Brower, Kerry McElroy
            F.  Membership - Rosemarie Romano

V.      Updates
              A.  HAB Testing with DEC Scott Kishbaugh - Bob Brower
              B.  Lake Day- June 22, 2016 - Rick Nelson
              C.  The ASK - Bob Brower
              D.  Owasco Lake Management Plan Report Card - Jim Beckwith
                    1. Health Department Notification - Jim Beckwith
 
VI.      Old Business 
                  Lake Levels - Jim Beckwith
 
VII.    New Business
                  Report on NYSFOLA Conference -             
VIII.  Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)
Adjourn

We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

OWLA meeting Wednesday April 6th - 7pm

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting
April 6, 2016 
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM
Draft Agenda

Welcome Members and Guests
Call to Order

Topic: The Land Value Landscape 2015
Introduction: Community Mapping Program Bob Brower, CEO, I.A.G.T. and
RACNE, and David Carr, Principal, Resource Interpretations
Introduction and Background of Ashleigh's Project
Presenter:  Ashleigh Grossos, Intern at I.A.G.T.

I.      Roll Call Sheet
II.    Approval of March 2, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot

IV.    Committee Report

            A.  Ad Hock Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
                  1. Cove Captains Update - Peter Rogers
            B. Communications - Carolyn Hiza
                  1. News Paper Articles - Nancy Hart
            C.  Report on Strategic Planning - Bob Brower
         
V.      Updates

              A.  Summary of March to Lake Day 2016 - Rick Nelson
              B.  Lake Day- June 22, 2016 - Rick Nelson
              C.  Nominating Committee Report - Ann Robson

VI.      Old Business
   
VII.    New Business
              A. Report from Consultant - Kerry McElroy, Jim Beckwith            
VIII.  Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)

Adjourn

We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

OWLA Meeting - Wed. March 2nd, 7pm

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting
March 2, 2016 
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Draft Agenda

Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order

Topic: The Land Value Landscape 2015 
Introduction: Community Mapping Program Bob Brower, CEO of I.A.G.T. and David Carr, Principal, Resource Interpretations, Introduction and Background of Ashleigh's Project
Presenter: Ashleigh Grossos, Student Intern at I.A.G.T.

I. Roll Call Sheet
II. Approval of February 3, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III. Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV. Committee Report
A. Ad Hoc Notification Group Update - Peter Rogers
1. HAB Brochure - Peter Rogers
B. Draft CAFO Permit Update - Rick Nelson
1. Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance - Bob Brower
C. Communications - Carolyn Hiza
1. OWLA Social Media Update - Crystina Brooks
2. Newspaper articles - Nancy Hart
D. Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council - Jim Beckwith
E. Water Testing/Monitoring - Ken Kudla; Drew Snell
F. Membership Update - Rosemarie Romano
G. Water Quality Management Group - Bob Brower
H. Strategic Planning Update- Bob Brower
I. Report on Fundraiser - Jim Beckwith
V. Updates
A. March to Lake Day 2016 - Rick Nelson
B. Lake Day - Rick Nelson
C. The ASK - Bob Brower, Dana Hall, Rick Nelson,
Peter Rogers, Ken Kudla
VI. Old Business
VII. New Business
VIII. Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)
Adjourn

PLEASE NOTE: Two upcoming OWLA events:

MARCH TO LAKE DAY: Saturday, March 5, from 9 am - 12 Noon
Information at: www.owla.org

STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION: 
Saturday, February 27, at 9 am at Springside Inn

Saturday, January 30, 2016

OWLA meeting, February 3rd - 7pm

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting 
February 3, 2016 
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM
Draft Agenda
Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order
I. Roll Call Sheet
II. Approval of January 6, 2016 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III. Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV. Committee Reports
A. Draft CAFO permit (Released on 12/23/15 comment only until
February 7, 2016) - Rick Nelson
1. Letter from OWLA to DEC
2. Letter in response from NYSFOLA (New York State Federation
of Lake Associations (250 groups mostly in eastern NYS)
3. WQMA's Resolution to the Cayuga County Legislators Passed
- Bob Brower
4. City of Auburn Resolution - Rick Nelson, Jim Beckwith
B. Ad Hoc Notification Group - Peter Rogers, Jean Canizzo,
Linda Vitale, Bill Phillips, Kerry McElroy, Tim Schneider Drew Snell,
Ken Kudla, Dave Carr, John Bisgrove
C. Communications - Carolyn Hiza
D. Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council - Ken Kudla
1. Owasco Lake Management Plan - Jim Beckwith
E. Water Testing/Monitoring - Ken Kudla; Drew Snell
F. Strategic Planning Update- Bob Brower
G. Membership Update - Rosemarie Romano
1. Cove Captains; Watershed Kit - Jean Canizzo; Linda Vitale
H. Water Quality Management Agency- Bob Brower
I. Finger Lakes Region Watershed Alliance Bob Brower

V. Old Business
A. March to Lake Day 2016 - Rick Nelson
B. Lake Day - Rick Nelson
VI. New Business
VII. Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)

Adjourn

We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings

Sunday, January 3, 2016

OWLA Meeting Wednesday Jan. 6th - 7pm

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

DRAFT Agenda

Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order

Topic: Countywide Forum on Manure Runoff in our Watersheds

Introduction: Mike Didio, Forum Cofounder, with Keith Batman; both County Legislators

Presenter: Nick Colas, an analyst from the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development and the reports editor and facilitator for this important project.

I. Roll Call Sheet
II. Approval of December 2, 2015, Minutes - Gilda Brower
III. Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV. Committee Report
A. Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council - Jim Beckwith
1. Owasco Lake Management Plan - Jim Beckwith
B. Water Testing/Monitoring - Ken Kudla, Drew Snell
C. Strategic Planning Update- Bob Brower
D. Membership Update - Rosemarie Romano
1. Cove Captains; Watershed Kit - Jean Canizzo; Linda Vitale
E. Notification Group - Jean Canizzo, Bob Brower, Linda Vitale
Notification Committee/ Troubling Lake Level notification
F. Water Quality Management Group - Bob Brower
V. Old Business
A. March to Lake Day 2016 - Rick Nelson
B. Lake Day - Rick Nelson
C. Todd Walters- Survey Update
VI. New Business
A. Harmful Blue-Green Algal Blooms Brochure
B. Other
VII. Wrap-up (next meeting; assignments; agenda planning items)

Adjourn

We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.