Watershed Restoration Project stalled

The Auburn Citizen is reporting today that Dutch Hollow Brook Watershed Restoration Project has been stopped pending release of funds by NY state. This project is hoped to have significant effect in preventing nutrients from entering Dutch Hollow Brook and Owasco Lake. We hope our state Leaders will act quickly to complete the funding for this important project.

Read the full article here:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/dutch-hollow-watershed-restoration-project-stalled-until-state-funding-appears/article_9dfa5b28-212c-5d2c-928b-cd08d6490324.html

Link to the original project funding announcement article from April 2014:
http://auburnpub.com/blogs/eye_on_ny/seward-visits-owasco-announces-grant-for-dutch-hollow-brook-restoration/article_1d2813f3-0ef8-51e2-9841-aefa82b78fae.html

New USDA Report Shows Conservation Practices Reducing Sediment, Nitrogen and Phosphorus

A new USDA study shows that farmers using combinations of erosion-control and nutrient-management practices on cultivated cropland are reducing losses of sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous from farm fields and decreasing the movement of these materials to the Great Lakes and their associated waterways.

“The Great Lakes Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) study confirms that good conservation planning and implementation have reduced loadings of sediment and nutrients to waterways throughout the region,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said today. “The Administration appreciates the actions of every farmer who is stepping up to implement conservation practices, protect vital farmlands and strengthen local economies. At the same time, we also see opportunities for even further progress.”

OWLA supports these efforts in the Owasco Lake watershed and we hope more of these efforts can be continued in all of the FingerLakes watersheds. 

Read more at:   http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/?

Funding awarded for Owasco Flats

 The Owasco Flats restoration project became a reality yesterday. A grant of $712,500 from the Green Infrastructure Program of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation was awarded to Cayuga County. The funding will be used to stabilize the banks of the Owasco Inlet and also restore much of the wetlands in the Owasco Flats at the south end of Owasco Lake. The overall intent of the project will be to restore the filtering ability of the Owasco Flats in high water events.

This is an important project to improve Owasco Lake water quality. Congratulations to all the government agencies involved in putting together this grant application!

Link to the Auburn Citizen article: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_4f8df484-6fb2-11e0-8c10-001cc4c002e0.html

Blueprint II group works to protect Owasco Lake

A big thanks goes out to the Blueprint II students who took on a valuable project to protect Owasco Lake. The students, their families and supporters worked to install vegetative buffers in the Owasco Flats this past Saturday. Over 50 people participated in the effort to install various plantings near the Owasco Inlet. See the complete story of the students project from this Sunday's Auburn Citizen at the link below:

Link: http://www.auburnpub.com/news/local/article_dd3fc9c4-5b18-11df-b5f0-001cc4c03286.html

Managing Erosion on fire lanes/access roads

I found a great article the other day on managing roadway erosion on a Skaneateles Watershed web site. It is very well done and includes complete drawings and specifications. Over the years I have had lots of people ask about techniques and expertise in controlling roadway erosion on steep slopes. Anyone who has a dirt or gravel roadway with any significant slope has experienced erosion problems that these deflectors could help prevent. There is also some good information on watershed friendly landscaping at this web site. Take a look and see what you think.



(picture and web site link are from Cornell Cooperative Ext. of Ononondaga County)

link to the article and downlaodable brochure:
http://watershed.extendonondaga.org/Skan_Roads.htm