New Algae Bloom found in Owasco Lake

A blue-green algae bloom has been found on the west side of Owasco Lake. The bloom was confirmed on Friday (7/10/15) by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was found on the west side near Peterson Point in Fleming, which is close to the intersection of state Route 38 and Stone School Road.

Blue-green algae blooms produce toxins that could pose a health risk to people and animals. Consuming water containing high levels of blue-green algae has been associated with damaging effects to the liver and nervous system in pets, livestock and people, according to the Cayuga County Health Department.

Some guidelines from the Cayuga County Health Department for dealing with blue-green algae:

      - People should suspect that blue-green algae could be present in surface water that is visibly discolored or that has surface scums.

       - People and pets should not swim in surface water that is discolored or has surface scum. If contact does occur, wash with soap and water or rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.

         - Avoid bathing, showering or washing dishes in untreated surface water that is experiencing an algae bloom.

      -  Do not let your pet drink water experiencing blue-green algae blooms.

If you suspect a blue-green algae bloom, call the Cayuga County Environmental Health Division at (315) 253-1405.

See the entire Citizen article at: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/health-department-blue-green-algae-bloom-found-on-west-side/article_457d9cf9-8b29-5871-886a-e37e7d38eb8d.html

OWLA - July 1st meeting

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting

July 1, 2015

Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Special Meeting Agenda

Welcome Members and Guests
Call to Order


I. Roll Call Sheet

II. Approval of June 3, 2015 Minutes - Gilda Brower

III. Financial Report - Jeff Trescot

IV. Proposal for Owasco Flats / Finger Lakes Land Trust- Jim Beckwith

V. Identification of Invasive Species and Training: Guest Speaker:
Michele Wunderlich, Associate Planner,
Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development

VI. Removal of Invasive Species: Lance Robson, New York State Fish and Wildlife Management Board, Chairman

VII. Committee Reports
A. Membership Update - Norma Leone; Rosemarie Romano
1. Report on Pilot Program - Jean Cannizzo and Linda Vitale
B. Communication - Carolyn Hiza
C. Lake Day June 24, 2015 Follow-up - Rick Nelson
D. Water Testing/Monitoring- Ken Kudla; Drew Snell
VIII. 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.

Owasco Lake Day on June 24th at Emerson Park

 The Owasco Lake Watershed Association and several co-sponsors will host the 8th annual Owasco Lake Day on Wednesday, June 24th from 2- 7 PM, “rain or shine”, in and around the Pavilion at Emerson Park in Owasco, New York.

 The event will once again include free admission and parking, free guided pontoon boat rides, a variety of family activities and children’s games, and many hands-on educational exhibits. The pontoon rides will launch and recover at the Park’s boat launch area. The family and children activities will be located under-cover on the south porch of the Pavilion. They have been expanded to include pottery painting, backyard bass fishing, animal pelts, fossils, bean bag toss game with prizes, making food chain bracelets or pin-on badges to wear, and looking at the Lake’s water under a microscope, as demonstrated by several Auburn High School students.

 The Resource Fair, inside the Pavilion, has over twenty environmental and water related organizations committed to displaying detailed information about their missions.

A welcome and introductions from OWLA President Jim Beckwith will start verbal presentations at about 5 o’clock.

Following these words, our first speaker will be: Dr. John Halfman, from the Finger Lakes Institute at the Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He will present his annual analysis of the condition of Owasco Lake based on the results of the data from the 2014 sampling. He will pay particular attention to the accelerated aging of the lake (expanding weed growth and blue-green algal blooms) that are likely caused by excessive nutrients (phosphorus) from human activities throughout the watershed. Dr Halfman has been guiding the study of Owasco Lake for many years. His work is supported by the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency, the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council (OWLMC), and the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA).

more info: http://www.owla.org/composite%20lake%20day%20info.pdf

Agenda for the June OWLA Meeting

Owasco Watershed Lake Association Meeting       

June  3, 2015

Springside Inn at 7:00 PM

Agenda:

- Welcome Members and Guests

- Call to Order

 

I.        Roll Call Sheet

II.      Approval of April 1, 2015 Minutes - Gilda Brower

III.    Financial Report - Jeff Trescot

IV.    Committee Reports

            A.  Membership Update - Norma Leone; Rosemarie Romano

1. Cove Captains - Jean Cannizzo

            B.  Communication - Carolyn Hiza

            C.  Lake Day June 24, 2015- Rick Nelson

            D. OWLA Board Elections - Ann Robson

            E. Water Testing/Monitoring- Ken Kudla; Drew Snell

V.      Old Business

            A.  Dutch Hollow Project  - Charlie Greene

            B.  Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council - Jim Beckwith

            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 and Rick Nelson

G.  Manure Spreading Advisory Committee, Plans and Progress -

Mike Didio, Peter Caplan, and Ken Kudla

H.  Lake Level Regulations - Bill Phillips

I.    Status of OWLA's Enhanced Watershed Actions Program in NYS

                    2015-2016 Budget - Bob Brower

VI.    New Business

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.

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.