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Owasco Watershed Lake Association |
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A Group Concerned with Preserving Owasco
Lake and its Watershed
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Committee Lists |
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There is increasing evidence that Owasco Lake water quality is deteriorating. Deleterious levels of phosphorous and continuing contamination have been documented. This is not generally a human sewerage related problem but more directly related to sedimentation and run-off. The county septic testing program is reasonably successful in controlling human coliforms entering the lake. The growing issue is nutrient loading. Cayuga County's Water Quality Management Agency lists "storm water runoff, erosion and sediment loading as a critical water quality issue in Owasco Lake"!
Owasco Lake has noticeably more alge, weedbeds and developed periodic unusual smell and unpleasant taste. Lack of stormwater controls, development practices and general runoff are contributing toward degrading the lake's water quality. Trihalomethanes exist in all drinking water treated with chlorine to remove harmful bacteria however nutrient rich water like Owasco has increased the risks. Municipalities are struggling to keep drinking water quality within state standards as chlorine and abundant carbon combine to form trihalomethanes.
More people live in the watershed each year. Owasco Lake can only adsorb a limited amount of nutrients until it starts to reflect negatively and it appears we have reached that threshold. We are not applying reasonable resources to relation to the income derived, to the value of the natural resource. Even the type of fish and their reproduction is being effected. DEC in writing lists the number one problem as "nutrient loading and sedimentation".
OWLA's path for turning Owasco Lake around :
~ Focus exclusively on improving the water quality of the Owasco Lake
Watershed.
~Act as a clearinghouse and gathering point for water entire watershed water
quality data using a new OWaLis computer management system.
~ Engage experts to interpret existing data and identify need for additional
information and research. ie Finger Lakes Institute, Cornell Water Resourse
Institute, , ESF, Upstate Freshwaters Institute, IAGT, DEC.
~Coordinate the identifying of areas of environmental concern; prioritize
by impact, schedule, time line and estimate funds necessary for efficient
resolution. ie Owasco Flats
~Focus attention on high exposure locations to find resources necessary to
reduce nutrient loading. ie Village of Groton
~ Coordinate research and investigate problem areas and to insure that
responsible parties can gather the resources to clean up the issues;
~ Unify, improve and implement planning policies that measurably improve
water quality in Owasco Lake and its tributary streams. ie developing a phosphate
budget for Owasco Lake.
~ Responds to citizen complaints of water pollution and work with them to
solve the problem.
~Help municipalities acquire and apply resources and zoning efficiently to
insure that each development increases or at least maintains water quality.
ie nutrient loading modeling
~Work with the farm community to significantly accelerate measurable reduction
in nutrient loading. Help set goals, monitor successes, needs, facilitate
better communications, prioritize and focus resources on higher loading issues.
What is the Owasco Watershed
Lake Association?
The Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Inc. is a citizen-based association developed to support cooperation and leadership in the comprehensive management of land use, water quality, recreation, agriculture and a host of other issues as they pertain to Owasco lake and its watershed.
Why Is the Association important
to you?
Owasco Lake and its tributaries serves the people of Auburn, Cayuga County, and surrounding communities for their water supply, disposal of sewage effluent, recreation and wildlife habitat. Protecting Owasco Lake is essential to the maintenance of our community character, and the improvement of our economic future. It must be managed for many uses.
The Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Inc. recognizes this and has joined together to draw the publics attention to the value and importance of Owasco Lake.
Do You Support
Boat Speed, Noise, And Personal Water Craft Rules On Owasco
Lake?
Download the
State of Owasco Lake Report Draft (953K Adobe PDF file)
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TO REPORT WATER RELATED
PROBLEMS |
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Other Important Phone Numbers |
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JESSICA MILES OWASCO LAKE WATERSHED INSPECTOR (315) 252-4171 Extension 120 |
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N.Y.S. DEPT. OF
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 1-800-TIPP DEC Or To Report a Petroleum or Chemical Spill Call 1-800-457-7362 |
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The water quality of Owasco Lake and its
watershed is your responsibility!
Get involved and join OWLA
today!
Please Share Your Questions or Comments With
Us
Copyright 1999-2009 Owasco Watershed Lake Association - All Rights
Reserved
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