EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant Program |
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| Current Situation | |
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The eleven Finger Lakes overlap fourteen counties in central/western NY, and collectively form the southern headwaters of Lake Ontario. Approximately 1.2 million people reside in the Finger Lakes region. The lakes are a critical natural resource – providing 200 million gallons of freshwater per day, drinking water for major communities (Auburn, Rochester and Syracuse). Preliminary analysis indicates that Owasco Lake ranks last in water quality, based on historic data collected by FLI for seven of the Finger Lakes. |
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Degradation of Owasco Lake water quality has evolved to an alarming level. Historic data has documented high levels of phosphorus, resulting in an increased presence of near shore plants and algal outbreaks. The source of the phosphorus load has been attributed to point and non-point sources, including: agriculture, waterfowl, wastewater treatment, home landscaping, development, and naturally occurring sources. |
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Owasco Lake permitting, monitoring, outreach and cleanup efforts over the past several years are apparently insufficient and under-funded, based upon the downward trend in water quality indicators. |
| What is Needed | |
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Aggressive, action-based Owasco Watershed stewardship initiative which addresses the total watershed, and targets priority point and non-point sources of pollution. |
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Focused water quantity and quality modeling which reveals point and non-point run-off contributions and the basis for “what-if” analysis and decision making. Cause-effect relationships need to be understood, substantiated, and remedial actions conducted. |
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Coordinated water quality data collection, monitoring and synthesis of findings and trends. |
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Inform stakeholders and the public with factual information and encourage them to take control of the future (destiny) of Owasco Lake and the regional environment. |
| What is Proposed | |
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Establishment of an operational Owasco Watershed Land Information System (OWLIS) which supports coordinated planning, monitoring of point and non-point sources of pollution, review of current and planned permits, and prioritization of remedial activities. |
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Development of a comprehensive GIS-based watershed database system, based largely on existing data sources, which will support OWLIS users, stakeholders and public outreach, including the establishment of “Owasco Watch” public hot line, email, and web tools for reporting and tracking of potential contamination sources. |
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Assessment and development of water quantity/quality models, and water quality data collection and monitoring (FLI collaborative project). |
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Collaborative initiative which leverages existing GIS and water quality data assets, scientific and technical expertise, and local experience of stakeholders. [Project Team Affiliates: Cayuga SWCD, PAR Government, FLI, IAGT, OWLA, WQMA] |
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The proposed project leverages prior and on-going investments, including: State/EPA sponsored NYC Watershed Land Information System (WaLIS), NYSDEC/FEMA sponsored Cayuga Flood Mapping (Hydrology run-off model and Watershed Database), and the NYS sponsored Owasco Water Quality Monitoring Project being performed by FLI. |
| Project Schedule, Funding and Cost Share | |
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Schedule: 36 months (2 years Development/Fielding, 1 year Monitoring/Operational Support) |
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Total project funding: $800K ($600K EPA Grant, $200K Cost Share NYS/County). |
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Cost Share: $125K FLI (NYS/Nozzolio) and $75K (Watershed Inspector via County/Soil and Water). |
| Future Directions | |
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The Owasco Watershed project will provide a model for development of similar watershed protection projects in other priority Finger Lakes, as well as other watersheds in NY State and elsewhere. |
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