Contrasts of Two Local Lakes!

Many folks turned out at the Auburn Public Theatre this past Wednesday for the OWLA and IGAT presentation of "Beauty and the Beast - A Tale Of Two Lakes" a documentary produced by Peter Cramer. The film contrasts Ononondaga and Skaneateles Lakes and the story of how one was neglected and the other protected.

A crowd of over 50 people attended the showing to show support for the protection of Owasco Lake and to learn more how how they might get involved. OWLA has even talked about helping to produce a documenatry to highlight the present environmental concerns on Owasco Lake. We hope if you were not able to attend, that you might show your support and consider a donation or better yet, by joining OWLA to help continue the efforts to protect Owasco Lake.

See the complete story from the Auburn Citizen: http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2008/12/04/local_news/news05.txt

Come out for an evening to Protect Owasco Lake and its Watershed

OWLA and IAGT cordially invite you to

"Protecting Owasco Lake

- Let‘s Get Motivated!"

Movie, Discussion and Entertainment at the
Auburn Public Theater
December 3, 2008– 7:00 PM

7:00-7:30 PM
"The Beauty and the Beast – A Tale of Two Lakes"
An award winning film created by Pete Cramer and Caleb Kerlin, graduates of Cayuga Community College.
A fascinating history of two local lakes demonstrating the importance of proper lake management.

7:30-8:00 PM
Owasco Lake Projects and Initiatives
Become a member of OWLA !!
The Owasco Watershed Network Project
Sign up for Owasco Watershed Viewer Training

8:00-??
Open "Café Style" Discussion and Entertainment
Meet Pete Cramer and share your thoughts on the movie.
Relax and discuss the protection of Owasco Lake while enjoying some light refreshments and live music.

Auburn Public Theater
108 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021 (315) 253-6669
Entrance at Exchange Street Mall

** Donations are Appreciated **

RSVP to ensure a seat in the new Auburn Public Theater Cinema – (315) 252-8669

Compromise proposed on Truck Plan in the Fingerlakes

The NYS DOT is reporting a possible compromise in the proposed ban on Heavy truck traffic in the Fingerlakes. The popular "short-cuts" for big rigs would become illegal and would only be allowed if these trucks have pickups/drop offs on the route. The ban would cover Routes 38, 41, 41A, 89, 90, 96 and 96A. This would also indirectly cover Rt. 38A by the Rt. 38 and Rt. 41A ban.

Truck traffic has increased steadily in last ten years over these routes as rising fuel prices have moved truckers to look for short-cuts between Rt 81 and The NYS Thruway. At the same time increased traffic has raised pollution risks to the Fingerlakes watersheds. I personally have witnessed two NYC garbage haulers overturned on Rt. 41A in the last 5 years. One of those landed in a tributary to Skaneateles Lake less than a mile upstream of the lake. Citizens have also complained of the speed and noise of the trucks in residential areas.

Thanks to our local leaders and state representatives who have finally got this problem on the track to resolution. Thanks specifically to Town of Owasco leaders Barb Clary and John Klink who have helped lead the efforts to resolve this complicated situation.

I've got an even better idea for the garbage going to Seneca Meadows - lets haul it from NYC to Seneca Meadows by railroad and save fuel and our roads. Existing railroad tracks exist within one mile of the landfill. What do you think?


see associated article in the Auburn Citizen: http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2008/11/08/local_news/news01.txt

Steamboat at south end of Owasco Lake

Its been a while, but as I promised we will try to from time to time share some history of Owasco Lake.

Here is an interesting post card from the early 1900's showing a Steamboat at possibly Cascade?
There were many steamboats that plyed the waters of Owasco back at that time. We are not sure which one is pictured in this scene. Maybe we will get a short article written over the winter about steamboats on Owasco Lake .

OWLA BOD meeting - Wed. Nov. 5th

From our President Joe Wasileski:

OWLA's next board meeting will be Wed. Nov. 5th at 7pm at the Springside Inn in Fleming.

There will be a business meeting followed by a presentation on Owasco Flats with Sandie Duran; Owasco Flats Reserve and Andy Zepp from the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

The December meeting will be a special event probably held at the new Auburn Theater. It will be a fund raiser, with the showing and discussion of The Tale of Two Lakes. We will need HELP to pull this off.

A few of us are going to the Land use seminar at Belle hurst Castle on Oct 30th. Please email me if you need a ride. This will be a eye opener of a meeting. Try to make it. A complete agenda for our Nov. meeting will follow soon.

Thanks - Joe

Home Electronics Recycling - Sat. Nov. 15th

Home Electonics Collection - City of Auburn Landfill, 311 North Division Street, Auburn

Sat. Nov. 15th from 8am -1pm

Get rid of your old Televisions, Computer equipment, cell phones, radios, video games, etc.


Call CCE at 315.255.1183 for more Information


Sponsored by:

Cornell Coop. Extension of Cayuga County

City of Auburn

Cayuga County Planning Dept.

Cayuga County Office of Waste Management

Seminar: Land Use in the Finger Lakes: Oct. 30th

Land Use in the Finger Lakes: Making the Right Decisions to Sustain Economic Viability and Water Quality,

Sponsored by the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Water quality in the Finger Lakes is related to land use. Local decision making related to comprehensive planning, zoning, and protection legislation by communities surrounding the Finger Lakes will be critical to the future protection of the lakes and continued economic viability. The Finger Lakes Institute will sponsor a full-day symposium featuring a training workshop on land use decision-making by the Pace University Land Use Law Center, a panel discussion on regional approaches to land use and a demonstration of how geospatial technology can be applied in local settings to effect sound land use decisions presented by the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology (IAGT) in Auburn. Registration deadline, Tuesday, October 21. Registration Fee: $25.00 includes refreshments, lunch, and program materials. Register by calling (315) 781-4382 or email fli@hws.edu

Date/Time: October 30, 8:30am - 4:30pm;
Location: Bellhurst Castle, Geneva
web-site: http://fli.hws.edu/land_use_in_finger_lakes.asp

Watershed Workshop - Nov. 7th, 2008

FL-LOWPA's Watershed Workshop 2008

Friday, November 7th, 2008 at the Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club

Topics:
- Rural Stormwater Challenges
- Aquatic Invasice Species Volunteer Programs
- Phosphorus report from Cayuga Lake
- Interatcive Mapping - IAGT
- Government partnerships
- much more!

This event is open to the public!

Contact Kristy LaManche at FL-LOWPA for more infromation.
(315-673-7148)

http://www.fllowpa.org/index.html

Owasco Flats - Annual Meeting - Nov. 12th

The Annual Owasco Flats Nature Reserve Meeting

will be held at 6:30 PM, Wed. November 12, 2008

at the Moravia Fire Hall.

We look forward to seeing you there.