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/?

Ceremony to Honor Lake Advocates

Owasco Flats Nature Reserve and Owasco Watershed Lake Association

Invite you to celebrate the lives of the late

Dr. Joseph Wasileski and Pamela Sullivan

on October 16th, 2011

1:00 pm- 2:30 pm

 

Dr. Wasileski (Dr. Joe) and Ms. Sullivan (Pamela) recently left this earth, after having devoted much of their lives as stewards of Owasco Lake.  Their stewardship efforts were instrumental in improving the water quality and educating the public and our elected officials on what was needed to be done to accomplish these goals through the Owasco Watershed Lake Association. 

Both Dr. Joe and Pamela were long time supporters of and participated in the Swim Owasco events, attended the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency meetings and supported the Owasco Flats Nature Reserve efforts to restore wetlands for water quality and wildlife habitat.  They were most successful at being our voice, our leaders in the fight to improve Owasco Lake for future generations. Their leadership will be sorely missed.

We have selected October 16, 2011 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm to celebrate the lives of these two very special people.  We will be gathering for the event at the Owasco Flats Nature Reserve, Route 38 parking area and kiosk at 1:00 pm, with the program commencing shortly thereafter. This is a rain or shine event. Cider and a snack will be available. Please bring chairs for sitting, your own cup for cider (or your own refreshments) and an umbrella to keep you dry if raining. Hope to see you there!

 

We are collecting photographs, so if you have any that you would like to share please send them to annkmoore@gmail.com

For more information contact OFNR  Chair

Sandie Doran at owascoflats@gmail.com

Owasco Lake level to be lowered to 709'

The City of Auburn will be lowering the level on Owasco Lake to 709' in an effort to kill off Asian Clams. The idea is to kill the clams by freezing the clams this winter. Plans are to begin dropping the lake as soon as the water temperature drops below 50 degrees F. It will take several months to reach the 709' level.

Though the lake has been to this lower level a few times before, residents who have water lines in the lake may want to confirm that this lower than usual level will not affect their ability to draw water from the lake.

See the Auburn Citizen article at : http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_6222445c-e987-11e0-b2e2-001cc4c03286.html

Back-to-School "Electronics Plus" Collection Event

Natural Resource Center

October 1, 2011

This fall all residents of Cayuga County and the City of Auburn are invited to participate in the Fall 2011 Back-to-School "Electronics Plus" Collection Event. The event presents an excellent opportunity to discard materials in a safe manner. Proper disposal protects human health, our community and the environment. The materials collected at this event will be recycled to the fullest extent possible by our contractors.

Saturday, October 1, 2011.

Running from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Located at the Natural Resource Center, 7413 County House Road, Auburn, next to the jail and nursing home.

We are accepting:
Televisions for FREE!
Computer monitors for FREE!
All other electronics for FREE!
Fluorescent bulbs and CFLs for FREE!
Household batteries for FREE!
Propane tanks for FREE!

Fees:

Small Freon appliance for $5 each
Acceptable Household Electronics Include:
Televisions
Computer Equipment
Computer Monitors
Fluorescent Light Bulbs and CFL bulbs
Typewriters
Video Game Systems
Universal Power Supplies
Cell Phones
Toner/Ink Cartridges
Microwaves
Small Freon Appliances for $5 each
Also accepted will be:
1 pound to 20 pound propane tanks
Hand held cylinders that contained such gases as oxygen, MAPP and helium
NO CHEMICALS ALLOWED

This is not our chemical collection event, which is on October 22, 2011. Click here for more details.

Learn more here:
http://co.cayuga.ny.us/hazwaste/electronics11fall.htm

If you have questions about whether or not a specific item will be accepted, or if you are a business and want references for electronics collection and recycling services, please call Cayuga County Cooperative Extension at 315-255-1183, or email solidwaste@cornell.edu.

This event is sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, Cayuga County Solid Waste Management Program Office, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development and hosted by the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Funding for the event is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cayuga County and Nucor Steel-Auburn.

Fall Bird Watching trip at the Owasco Flats

Birding at the Flats this Sun 9/25 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

Reminder - There will be Fall Bird Watching trip at the Flats and other local areas Sunday morning at 7:00 am.  We will spend the morning walking the Flats trail and if time permits, head to other local birding areas. Bring binoculars, drink and a snack. Meet at Route 38 pull off parking area near kiosk.  Noelle Rayman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and OFNR Volunteer.  Rain or shine.

Please contact us if you have any questions. 

Sandie Doran

OWLA Board Meeting Wed. Sept. 7th

The monthly OWLA Board of Directors meeting will be held this Wednesday September 7th - 7pm at the Springside Inn on Rt. 38 in Fleming. Members and the Public are invited. 

Happy Labor Day!

Well, it is not the nicest Labor Day morning but at least we had a nice few days leading up to it!

As our Owasco Lake summer winds down, we want to take a moment to say Thanks to all our volunteers that give of their time to help protect Owasco Lake and its watershed.

So to our volunteers who made Lake Day 2011 a success, to those who have supported our water testing program, the folks working on our asian clam response and to our Board of Directors who keep this organization running, Thank you all!

- Lakeman

UPDATE: OWASCO LAKE DAY

Owasco Lake Day will be held on Sunday, August 7, from 12 noon until 5 pm at Emerson Park and Pavilion, and an updated schedule has been announced by the co-sponsor; Owasco Watershed Lake Association.

            Opening ceremonies will be held in the Pavilion at 12:30 pm and will feature remarks from New York State senator Mike Nozzolio and County and City officials.

            The free pontoon boat rides will begin at 1 pm and continue until 5 pm. The Sheriff’s boat will be on display and offering boating safety information from 3 to 4 pm,  and fire and rescue boats and fire trucks from Owasco, Fleming and Auburn are expected to be on display during the afternoon. Poppy’s ice cream and Chobani’s yogurt will be available, in addition to picnic foods.

            New to the speakers agenda is a talk at 3:30 pm on Asian clams in Owasco Lake, given by environmental engineer Bruce Natale, Chair, Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency.

            A Resource Fair will include information, displays and demonstrations related to Owasco Lake, the environment and the community. Participants include the Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector program and Cornell Cooperative Extension, who will have a watershed model that displays how runoff from storm events affects the Lake, and brochures and information from the Owasco Flats Nature Reserve, American Farmland Trust, Swim Owasco, several Cayuga County Water Quality Managements programs, and  others.

            Owasco Lake Day is free and open to the public. Parking at Emerson Park is free for those attending the event by notifying the park attendant at the entrance.

For more information: Norma Leone 585-385-1269 or 585-749-8784

                                                Carolyn Hiza 315-283-8419

Owasco Lake Day - August 7th

4th Annual - Owasco Lake Day

Sunday August 7, 2011

Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Emerson Park

"A Family Day at the Park"

Sponsors:
Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency
Owasco Watershed Lake Association

Free Admission
Free Parking*
Free Pontoon Boat Rides (at the boat launch)
Free Swimming
Fire/ Rescue Boat Demos - 2-3pm (in front of the main bathing beach)
Sheriff's Boat display - 3-4pm (at the boat launch)
Picnic Food Available** (on the porch)

Tentative Schedule of Programs at the Pavilion:
12:30 pm Opening Ceremonies:
NY State, Cayuga County and City of Auburn Officials - opening words by NY State Senator Mike Nozzolio
1:30 pm Judy Wright, American Farmland Trust
2:30 pm John D. Halfman, Ph.D.
Finger Lakes Institute
3:30 pm TBA

Resource Fair (displays by various local groups and agencies):
Noon - 5:00 p.m.

* Free parking if attending Lake Day, but you must notify person at the park gate that you are attending the Lake Day celebration.

** The Springside Inn will serve picnic food on the porch of the Pavilion.

The menu will include hot dogs, hamburgs, sausage with peppers and onions, salt potatoes, macaroni salad, baked beans, and bottled water.

Contact us with questions at: owlanews@gmail.com