Elections for OWLA Board Member seats

At the Wednesday, June 3, 2015 OWLA General Membership meeting, elections for Board Member seats will take place. All OWLA members are encouraged to attend and place your vote.

We meet at 7pm at the Springside Inn, Rte. 38.

The OWLA Nominating Committee presents the 2015 Slate of Nominees for OWLA Board Member positions. The term is June 2015 – 2018.

Following is information on each nominee. For additional information on OWLA visit www.owla.org.

- Bob Brower seeks the opportunity to continue work on the restoration and protection of Owasco Lake, as is the mission of OWLA. “I see this as a way of serving an additional commitment to the Finger Lakes Region, a purpose that differs only in scale from OWLA’s mission. If I am to return to the OWLA Board, I expect that the three year period of service will include exciting progress on membership, funding, new organizational partnerships, and additional administrative capacity. The point of all this of course is to put this organizational progress in service to the mission. As the current Vice-President I am given the amazing opportunity to work with OWLA’s multiple programs and dedicated volunteers. All of this helps link the organizational aspects to the mission and brings me great personal satisfaction. "

- Terry Lattimore seeks reelection to the board. He has 30 years experience working in the Environmental field dealing with Fortune 100 companies in all aspects of reducing their exposure to environmental liabilities by setting up many waste minimization programs that utilized recycling and alternative manufacturing practices.

- Ken Post has always been awed by the beauty of our environment in its pristine state and saddened by what can happen to it as a result of unregulated development. The condition of our lake is a reflection and constant reminder of what is happening in our society. People who seem to be uncaring about environmental issues are often unaware of the effects of their own actions or the cumulative environmental impact of communities without adequate safeguards for that environment. He became a member of OWLA primarily to educate himself and has become more aware of the issues concerning the lake. He has learned quite a lot and also sees the need to raise the level of community awareness concerning our environment.

- Lance Robson is the current Chairman of the NYS Fish and Wildlife Management Board. This board advises the State of New York and landowners on matters of fish, wildlife and habitat management and sporting access. He is a member of the working group developing and implementing the Adirondack Regional Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program and a member of the Great Lakes Climate Change Scenario Planning working group. He is involved in several other habitat and water quality initiatives, invasive species introduction and spread prevention efforts.

- Keith Welch writes; Dear OWLA members. Thanks for your consideration in the upcoming election of your Board. I would like to remain on the slate for the following reasons: my positions of Deputy Supervisor in the Town of Scipio, Scipio representative to the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council, Chair of the Cayuga County Planning Board and a Cayuga County Legislature appointment to the five county consortium, Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, ensures that I am at the table with many players in the quest to save our lake. These opportunities for advocacy are not something to take lightly and Owasco Lake is always at the base of any discussion.

OWLA monthly meeting - May 6th, 7pm

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Agenda:

Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order

Presentations
1.  School Recognition Award
2.  Scott Kishbaugh, New York State DEC
      "Blue Green-Algae Monitoring Plan"

I.        Roll Call Sheet
II.      Approval of April 1, 2015 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescott
IV.    Committee Reports
            A.  Membership Update:  Norma Leone; Rosemarie Romano
            B.  Communication: Carolyn Hiza
            C.  Lake Day June 24, 2015: Rick Nelson
            D. Nominating Committee Report: Ann Robson
            E. Water Testing/Monitoring: Ken Kudla; Drew Snell
V.      Old Business
            A.  Organizational Reports
            B.  Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council: Charlie Green
C.  Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance Meeting: Bob Brower
            D.  Water Quality Management Association Update: Bob Brower
            E.  OWLA's Strategic Plan Status: Kathy Cappella
            F.  Whole Farm Best Practices Partnership: Ken Kudla, Rick Nelson
G.  Manure Spreading advisory Committee Plans and Progress: Mike
        Didio, Peter Caplan,  Ken Kudla
VI.    New Business
              A.  Status of OWLA's Enhanced Watershed Actions Program in NYS
                    2015-2016 Budget: Bob Brower
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

Updates at www.owla.org

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.”

OWLA April Meeting Wednesday April 1st

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting 

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Agenda

Welcome Members and Guests

Call to Order

I.    Roll Call Sheet
II.    Approval, March 2015 Minutes - Gilda Brower
III.  Financial Report - Jeff Trescot
IV.  Committee Reports
A. Membership: Rosemarie Romano, Norma Leone
B. Communication - Carolyn Hiza
C. March to Lake Day, March 7, 2015: Bob Brower
          Pledge to staff, Moravia Central School District
D. Lake Day Committee, June 24, 2015: Rick Nelson
E. Nominating Committee: Ann Robson
F. Water Testing/Monitoring: Ken Kudla, Drew Snell
V.      Old Business
Organizational Reports:
- Owasco Lake Watershed Mgt Council: Jim Beckwith
- Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance: Bob Brower
- WQMA Update: Bob Brower
- OWLA Strategic Plan Status: Kathy Cappella
- IGNITE and OWLA: A pending collaboration: Ken Kudla
- Whole Farm Best Practices Partnership:
Ken Kudla and Rick Nelson
- Manure Spreading Advisory Committee, Plans and Progress:
Mike Didio, Peter Caplan or Ken Kudla
VI.    New Business
A. The Status of the OWLA Enhanced Watershed Actions Program in the NYS 2015-16 Budget
B. The Proposed NYSDEC Harmful Algae Bloom (HABS) Pilot Monitoring Program
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.
Updates at www.owla.org

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:

www.owla.org  www.owascolake.org.

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

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting, Wednesday February 4th

OWLA Monthly Meeting at the Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Agenda:
Welcome Members and Guests

Committee Reports:
Communications: Carolyn Hiza
Membership: Rosemarie Romano, Norma Leone
March to Lake Day - March 7, 2015:  Bob Brower
Lake Day - June 25, 2015:  Rick Nelson
 
Old Business:
Water Testing: Ken Kudla, Drew Snell
Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council: Jim Beckwith
Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance Meeting: Bob Brower
Water Quality Management Association Update: Bob Brower
Strategic Plan: Kathryn Cappella, Bob Brower, Jim Beckwith
Updates on Voted Actions: Jim Beckwith, Bob Brower
 
New Business:
Meeting with Cayuga  County Chairman, Michael Chapman
 
We value your opinions and ideas regarding OWLA
and encourage you to participate in OWLA meetings.

OWLA Meeting Wednesday January 7th, 2015

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting      
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Agenda:
Welcome Members and Guests

Business Meeting:
Committee Reports:
Communications:   Carolyn Hiza
Membership:  Rosemarie Romano, Norma Leone
Report on Watershed Section/packets: Bob Brower
Water Testing:   Dick Coalson, Charlie Greene, Ken Kudla
Strategic Plan: Kathryn Cappella, Bob Brower
March to Lake Day and Lake Day:   Rick Nelson, Bob Brower
Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council:  Jim Beckwith
Cayuga Co. Water Quality Management Agency:  Bob Brower

Old Business:
Finger Lakes Land Trust Open House followup: Jim Beckwith
Update on William Cooke OWLA visit/letter/proposal to Governor Como: Funding Request for Critical Watershed and Restoration Actions of OWLA: Bob Brower , Jim Beckwith
Report on Sewer District 3 (passed):  Jim Beckwith
Petition: No Manure on Frozen Ground:  Rosemarie Romano

New Business:
Waterkeeper Alliance Conference: Peter Caplan, Bob Brower

Guest Speaker:
Doug Young, Spruce Haven Farm - “Working with Farmers to Accelerate
Lake Restoration”

Sign our petition to Prohibit the application of liquid manure

New York State DEC: Prohibit the application of liquid manure on frozen and/or snow-covered soils.

Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) petitions the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to make the following modifications to the General Permit for CAFO operations, currently under review.

Prohibit the application of liquid manure:

On frozen and/or snow-covered soils,

When soils are saturated from rainfall or snowmelt, or

When a check of the 48-hour weather forecast predicts snowmelt or runoff conditions.

Below is a link to the OWLA petition website: "Joseph Martens: New York State DEC:  Prohibit the application of liquid manure on frozen and/or snow-covered soils."  Please help by signing the petition and by passing it on to your contacts.

  

The petition has been approved by the OWLA board. Our goal is to reach 1000 signatures, and we need your support. You can read and sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/p/joseph-martens-new-york-state-dec-prohibit-the-application-of-liquid-manure-on-frozen-and-or-snow-covered-soils?recruiter=169926899&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive