Public hearing on the budget meeting on Wednesday, November 18th at 6:00 PM,

November 15, 2015

Dear Members of OWLA,

We need OWLA represented at the  on the 6th floor of the Cayuga County Office Building so we can prove to the County that there is support for Owasco Lake. County legislators are making budget decisions at that meeting. If you can not attend this meeting, please send an email or letter to your County legislator, demanding support.

The County is cutting funding to Owasco Lake through the Soil &Water Conservation District budget, Cornell Cooperative Extension budget, and Planning; Health Department budgets. These cuts will affect Owasco Lake because all four departments spend part of their budgets on helping Owasco Lake survive. It is imperative that we let legislators know the importance of funding to protect Owasco Lake.

To reach your legislator click here: Cayuga County Legislators

For additional information from a story in The Citizen, click here: Citizen article

We also remind you that the next public meeting of the Manure Management Group is on Monday, November 16th at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES, 1879 West Genesee Street, Auburn, NY, 13021, at 7:00 pm.

Thank you for your continued support.

James L Beckwith, President
Owasco Watershed Lake Association

Owasco Lake Water Quality Buoy

Photo by John Halfman - FLI

For the second year in a row Owasco Lake has had a water quality monitoring buoy recording important water quality data. If you are on the lake you can't miss the yellow platform located about half way down the lake between Burtis and Koenig points. The buoy that was placed and maintained by the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart William Smith College, provides seasonal monitoring of several key water quality parameters.

Owasco Lake has been facing more water quality impairments in recent years. The water quality buoy provides much-needed daily measurements critical to understanding the environmental processes within the lake. This information will be used to recommend best management practices and develop watershed management strategies focused on improving water quality in Owasco Lake.

Read the complete buoy story at:  https://flihappenings.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/exploration-and-education-water-quality-monitoring-goes-high-tech-on-owasco-lake/

SENATORS HERALD STATE FUNDING FOR OWASCO LAKE

ALBANY, 04/01/15:  State Senators John DeFrancisco, Mike Nozzolio and James L. Seward announced today that the new state budget includes a major win for one of Cayuga County’s key natural resources.

The senators announced that $600,000 in state funding has been awarded to the Owasco Watershed Lake Association to support ongoing and long-term efforts to improve water quality throughout the watershed.

Senator James L. Seward said, “Local officials have already embarked on a responsive path toward rejuvenating Owasco Lake and my senate colleague and I are pleased to assist in continuing the work.  This grant will further enhance the ability of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association and other stakeholders to make notable improvements to this prime source of drinking water, recreational activity, and future economic development.”

Senator Mike Nozzolio said, “As State Senator representing the Finger Lakes region, the health of our lakes has always been one of my top priorities.  Owasco Lake is one of our region’s most unique and magnificent environmental jewels and decisive action needs to be taken to prevent further pollution of the lake. I am pleased my colleagues and I were able to secure this funding to help preserve and revitalize Owasco Lake, ensuring its protection, and securing its potential, for generations to come.”

Senate Finance Chairman John A. DeFrancisco said, “The funding for Owasco Lake is one of many measures included in the state budget that reaffirms our strong commitment to protecting New York’s natural resources.  I was pleased to work with the senate team from Cayuga County to secure this vital funding and to help enrich our community.”

Water Quality Agency split on vote to enact stricter manure regulations

The Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency met this past Thursday and were split on possible changes to state regulations for big farms. The agency nearly passed a resolution to recommend language changes to the state regulation concerning Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

The resolution stems from problems in recent years with manure spread on frozen ground and the run-off in late winter early spring into Owasco Lake. This year a local farm was fined for one specific instance, but this problem has worsened in recent years with the growth of larger dairy operations around Owasco Lake.

Owasco Lake is suffering from many influences, but this is one of the more impactful threats that should be addressed quickly. If this concerns you (...and I hope it does!) - please contact one of the WQMAgency members (listed at the link below) as well as your town, county and state government leaders and demand action. 

Read more about this recent meeting at: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/cayuga-county-water-agency-split-on-possible-changes-to-regulations/article_09e61c56-f9ed-5596-862d-3214ed081f41.html

WQMA agency website link:
http://www.cayugacounty.us/DoingBusiness/WaterQualityManagementAgency.aspx

WQMA members:
http://www.cayugacounty.us/DoingBusiness/WaterQualityManagementAgency/WQMAInformation/Members.aspx

Owasco Lake Symposium - March 1st

Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Cayuga Community College

Bisgrove Auditorium

199 Franklin Street, Auburn, New York

The State of the Lake

A Scientific Symposium in Plain English

Speakers:

The Trophic Status of Owasco Lake

John Halfman, Ph.D., Finger Lakes Institute

The Trophic State

within the Context of Public Water Supply and Recreation

Clifford W. Callinan, P.E., NYS DEC Division of Water

The Trophic State

within the Context of Invasive Species and Blue Green Algae

Scott Kishbaugh, NYS DEC Division of Water

Don't forget Lake Day!

It's just a week away from Owasco Lake Day! We hope you will take time to come out to hear the interesting speakers and to see the interesting exhibits.

5th Annual

Owasco Lake Day

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Emerson Park

Resource Fair and Family Activities

Displays, Demos, Brochures, Games

3:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Speakers at the Pavilion:

5:00 pm    Opening Ceremonies:

State, County and City Officials

5:30 pm    Keynote: Frederick L. Kirschenmann, Ph.D
               Farms, The Watershed, and Owasco Lake

6:15 pm    “State of the Lake” Panel

John Halfman, Ph.D.: Status of the Lake
       Bruce Natale:  Invasive Species  Update

  • Free Admission         • Free Parking
     • Family Activities        • Children’s Games
       • Children’s Games      • Pontoon Boat Rides

Sponsors:
 Owasco Watershed Lake Association
 Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency
  Cornell Cooperative Extension Cayuga County
  IAGT at Cayuga Community College

Workshop was a success

“Owasco Lake… OWN IT” was a great success this past Saturday. Over 50 people turned out for the workshop to educate and empower citizens in the protection of Owasco Lake. Attendees learned about the present state of the lake as well as the many influences to its deteriorating water quality.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this event together and the concerned citizens who participated.

Learn more in the Auburn Citizen article at:http://auburnpub.com/news/local/lake-advocates-taking-stock/article_eb8f36b6-65a4-11e1-9b99-001871e3ce6c.html

County to seek help to protect Owasco Lake

On Tuesday night, OWLA President Joe Wasileski presented the Cayuga County Legislator with a 600 signature petition asking for help in protecting Owasco Lake. Joe detailed some of the issues that are impacting the lakes water quality. In the end, the legislator did vote to apply for a $750,000 grant to help reduce phosphorus and sediment loading in the Owasco Flats.


link to the Auburn Citizen article covering the meeting on Tuesday Nov. 23, 2010:
http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_e02333ea-f782-11df-a2fc-001cc4c03286.html

Formation of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council.

From Joe Wasileski - OWLA President:

Our OWLA December meeting will be held on Tuesday December 7th - 7pm at Emerson Park pavilion--in conjunction with the Town of Owasco, the City of Auburn and the Cayuga County Legislature's meetings. Other elected officials from surrounding townships around the Lake, will also be present. The purpose of the meeting will be the grand unvieling and ratification of the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council. This is the plan and proposal, that OWLA has spearheaded, and we have been working on for the last 12 months. I have been attending meetings, formulating the plan  on a bi-weekly basis for the last 7 months. It is a Big Deal and unprecedented to say the least. Owasco Lake has it's problems, but this is a GIANT step to aid our efforts, and at last hold others accountable for determing it's future well being!!!

Stay tuned for more information on the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council in upcoming blog posts.