December OWLA Meeting notice from Joe Wasileski

Hi Owls!!

We will have our December Meeting at the Springside Inn on Wednesday December 2nd at 6:00 pm not 7:00 pm. We should be through by 8:00pm. That way people from Rochester can get home a little earlier. Some Owls will get there early at 5PM for dinner. Committee heads, be prepared to give a committee update, and outlooks and GOALS for 2010! Send a report via email to me, if unable to attend.

Norma and Kathy will be focusing our attention on Owasco Lake Day 2010, in a planning discussion. I will lead a discussion on our 2009 successes, as well as our anticipated goals for 2010. This should be an IMPORTANT meeting from an organizational standpoint. So PLEASE try to come and add your input!! We thought about a Saturday meeting, but most of you voted for next Wednesday, so be there.

We will meet again in January, and probably take a month off in February, at least that is the game plan. Keep an eye out for last month's meeting minutes along with a compilation of your responses as to the important accomplishments of OWLA in 2010. These will be emailed to you shortly. - Joe W.

Interesting Guide to Weed Management

An interesting guide to weed management was written last summer by a group of Finger Lakes Agencies involved in protecting Water Quality. The guide; "Aquatic Weeds: Nuisance and Necessity; Managing Waterweeds in Cayuga, Owasco and Seneca Lakes" is a must read for Fingerlakes shoreline owners and users. The 28 page PDF guide was published by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. It does a nice job of explaining the life cycle of weeds, as well as many options available to combat them.

Here is an excerpt from the Introduction and a link to the full PDF document:

"Lakeshore property owners have concerns that most other landowners do not face. Mighty waves erode the shoreline, fluctuating water levels threaten drinking water wells, activities in the yard can have an immediate effect on water quality – and excessive water weeds can ruin the enjoyment of the property. An overabundance of aquatic plants can prevent swimming, foul boat propellers, stink as they rot along shorelines and reduce property values. Lakeshore residents expect reasonable access to, and use of, the lake. For many this includes the need for weed management, used here to mean activities intended to reduce the abundance or species of aquatic plants in a specific area.

Weed management requires knowledge, time, patience and money. There is no magic bullet that will eliminate excess weeds without continued effort and without harmful side affects. Some management attempts can even make the problem worse. A lake, after all, is not a swimming pool but a dynamic, complex system and expectations should be realistic.

The goal of this booklet is to support weed management in Seneca, Cayuga and
Owasco Lakes that takes into account all of the lake's users, emphasizing a watershed approach."

Link to the WQMA web site and PDF guide:http://co.cayuga.ny.us/wqma/projects/Aquatic_Weeds_Nuisance_and_Necessity.pdf

Take a look and tell us what you think!

- Lakeman

Senator Valeski to speak at OWLA meeting

Message from OWLA President Joe Wasileski:

Hello OWLS!!

Greeting from Joe!!!

We are having an OWLA meeting this Wednesday November 4th at 7 PM at The Springside Inn.

Our guest will be Senator David Valesky. He is coming specifically to hear our concerns about the water quality of Owasco Lake, and what he might do to help OWLA and it's Mission. Please come to meet him and also weigh in on your concerns and solutions. Senator Valesky wants very much to help us, and wants to be known as a Finger Lakes advocate! We have been working on putting together specific propositions that he might choose to HELP us achieve. Please come, and bring your friends, to meet him and see if we can move forward to achieve our goals. A strong turn out, will definitely help our cause. This is not a political event, but merely one additional effort to try to help OWASCO LAKE!

Thanks Joe

Home Electronics Recycling Event

Celebrating America Recycles Day!

Date, Time, Place:
Saturday, November 14, 2009.
Running from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 am.
Located at the City of Auburn Landfill, 311 North Division St. Auburn, NY.

Acceptable Household Electronics Include:
Computer equipment

Computer monitors and Televisions - $5 each (limit 2 per household)
VCR's
DVD players
Printers
Desktop and Tabletop Copiers
Stereo systems
Telephones
Video Game systems (for example Nintendo or Sega systems)
Cell phones

If you have questions, please call CCE at 315-255-1183, or email solidwaste@cornell.edu.

This event is sponsored by Cayuga County Solid Waste Management Program Office, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development, and the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District. Funding is provided by the NUCOR Steel of Auburn, Inc., Cayuga County and the NYS DEC.

Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale of Upstate NY

We had a very interesting discussion at this month's OWLA meeting on the potential water quality issues related to proposed gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region of NY which crosses the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes. Hillary Lambert, the Lake Steward for the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network gave us some background on the issue and her organizations interest and position on this important regional water quality issue.


A draft Environmental Imapct Statement on proposed regulations was released by the NYSDEC on Sept. 30th for public comment. The comment period runs through the month of October. Link: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html


We encourage you to take a look this potential water quality issue. Much of the land in the Owasco Lake Watershed already has exploration leases in place, signed between land owners and various drilling companies. If the price of natural gas becomes favorable and the proposed regulation structure moves forward, we may start to see this type of drilling in the watersheds of the Fingerlakes. It's your surface water and aquifers which may become affected; you may want to learn more about these proposed activities.

Links to a couple of web sites with more information:

Shaleshock http://www.shaleshock.org/

NYS DEC http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/47554.html

Sullivan County Drilling task force report http://www.co.sullivan.ny.us/index.asp?orgid=610&storyTypeID=&sid=&


There is also an informational session for landowners coming up later this month:


Gas Drilling: Legal Issues for Landowners (with or without a lease)
October 29, 2009
7:00 pm
to
9:30 pm
Gas Drilling: Legal Issues for Landowners (with or without a lease)A free educational forum, open to all.
With increased natural gas development in the Southern Tier will come new and complex legal issues that affect both landowners and communities. Please join us on Thursday, October 29, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm to hear presentations by legal experts, followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
The forum will be held at Cornell Vet School’s James Law Auditorium on Tower Road, just a block from Rt. 366.
Topics will include lease terms and considerations “force majeure” lease extensions
intricacies of lease extension/expiration compulsory integration (the legal extraction of gas from under unleased lands) liability issues protection of rights and property

All are encouraged to attend this unique event sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) South Central NY Agricultural Team, together with Shaleshock Citizens Action Coalition, Community Science Institute, Finger Lakes Bioneers, Interfaith Action for Healing Earth, NYS Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, Sustainable Tompkins, and Tompkins County Farm Bureau.
For more information, please contact Schuyler CCE at 607-535-7161, or Tompkins CCE at 272-2292, or by email at: cab377@cornell.edu. More details will soon be posted to the CCE Natural Gas Development Resource Center website: http://gasleasing.cce.cornell.edu/ .





http://www.shaleshock.org/gas-drilling-legal-issues-for-landowners-with-or-without-a-lease/

Conference on Phosphorus

The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network is sponsoring a half day conference in Ithaca on October 24th at the Ithaca Unitarian Church Annex (208 E. Buffalo Street). The program sounds very interesting, you may want to take this opportunity to learn about how Cayuga Lake is responding to phosphorus issues in their watershed.

Press release from the CLWN:

A FREE fall conference will be held October 24 in Ithaca, 9am - noon. Entitled Phosphorus Inputs into Cayuga Lake, speakers include Roxy Johnson, Doug Haith, Steve Penningroth, and Todd Walter. A panel discussion will include the above speakers, as well as Jose Lozano and Bob Johnson.

The south end of Cayuga Lake has been listed as impaired by the DEC in part because of excess phosphorous inputs. Rectifying this situation requires a better understanding of what are the main inputs of phosphorous to the south end of the lake and what can be done to reduce them. The lake source cooling scheme of Cornell has been targeted as a significant contributor, but is it?
This public seminar has been organized by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization to address these issues. Ithaca Unitarian Church Annex (208 E. Buffalo Street).

Program:
9 – 9.30 “Phosphorous and sediment monitoring results from three Cayuga Lake creeks,” Roxy Johnson, City of Ithaca.
9.30 – 9.45 “Volunteer monitors, certified lab tests and USGS flow data: a solid basis for estimating nutrient and sediment loading from tributary streams to southern Cayuga Lake,” Steve Penningroth, Community Science Institute.
9.45 – 10.30 “Estimating nutrient and sediment loads to Cayuga Lake,” Professor Doug Haith, Cornell University.
10.30 -10.45 Refreshments
10.45 – 11.15 “Do agricultural best management practices work? Combining monitoring and modeling to find answers,” Professor Todd Walter, Cornell University.
11.15 – 12.00 Panel discussion with authors and additional guests including Jose Lozano of the City of Ithaca and Bob Johnson of Cornell University

One-on-one lawn care guidance from CCE

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County will be offering one-on-one lawn care question and answer sessions for residents of the Owasco and Cayuga Lake Watersheds. Lawn care practices and there effects on water quality will be discussed, as well as soil testing and fertilizer use.

The 15 minutes sessions will take place on Moday Oct. 5th, and Wednesdays Oct. 7th and 14th from 11:30am to 4:30pm at the CCE offices at 248 Grant Ave. in Auburn.

Registration is required by Oct. 1st by calling CCE at 255-1183.

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

Protect our Lake!

Here is a list of the Top 5 DO NOT'S to help protect the water quality of Owasco Lake.


1. DO NOT wash your dog, boat, hoist, or dock (or anything!) in the
lake. When soap detergents, and cleaners enter the lake, chemicals
and phosphorus are released into the water. The best place to wash
vehicles is at a car wash where the used water can be treated properly.
At home, instead of washing on the driveway, choose a piece of lawn
away from the lake – the grass can help absorb and filter some of the
dirt and suds.

2. DO NOT dump leaves, grass clippings, or yard debris into the lake.
Plant material releases excess nutrients into the water as they
decompose. Too much nutrients can lead to algae blooms, fish kills,
and excessive aquatic plant growth. Leaving your grass clippings on
the lawn, or mulching your leaves can provide natural fertilizer. If
you must rake, bag your leaves in paper sacks until they can be
picked up or composted. Remember that storm drains and ditches
can also carry leaves to nearby waters!

3. DO NOT expose soil without protecting it from erosion. When
eroded sediment is washed into the lake it can smother fish habitat
and promote the growth of various weeds. Sediment is a big threat
because it can muddy the water and increase turbidity. Construction
sites, and other exposed soils, should have the proper erosion control
devices.

4. DO NOT dispose of household hazardous wastes in the lake, on the
ground, or down storm drains and ditches. Household chemicals like
antifreeze, paint, motor oil, cleaning detergents, degreasers, pesticides,
and fertilizers are harmful to your health and the health of the lake.
Remember the land in the watershed all drains to the lake! Never
dump anything you wouldn’t want to drink!! To learn how to dispose
of these substances properly, contact Cornell Coperative Extension
of Cayuga County.

5. DO NOT neglect your septic system. One of the most common
watershed violations is failing septic systems! When out-dated or
abused septic systems fail, bacteria-ridden wastewater can pollute
the lake and contaminate backyards, groundwater, wells, and
swimming areas. Take proper care of your septic system by having
it inspected regularly. The average system requires a pumping every
3-5 years. The average lifespan of a well-maintained septic system
is 30-40 years. If you suspect your system is in need of repair or
replacement, fit the necessary costs into your budget. A new system
may come with a price tag, but you will be investing in the value of
your home, as well as your family’s health and the well-being of the
lake. Remember to obtain the necessary permits before you do any
work on your septic system.

(adapted from Skanaeteles Watershed Guidance - CCE)