Help is on its way for the Finger Lakes to enhance water quality and combat harmful algae blooms. Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced $42 million to protect and enhance water quality in the eastern Finger Lakes region.
According to her office, this investment fulfills the Governor’s 2024 State of the State commitment to develop on-the-ground actions necessary to address the root causes of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and significantly reduce their prevalence while supporting projects that help prevent runoff into lakes and improve climate resiliency.
The Eastern Finger Lakes watershed covers more than 30 percent of the Lake Ontario drainage basin and contains seven of New York’s Finger Lakes and their watersheds: Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco lakes. The region recently reported a greater frequency of HABs, which threaten public health, recreation, and the local economy.
“Clean water is critical to sustaining the health of our communities, protecting our environment, and supporting local economies in the Finger Lakes,” Governor Hochul said. “New York continues to use every tool available as we build on local conservation efforts and assist our farmers and communities to improve resiliency, prevent pollution that can contribute to harmful algal blooms, and take great strides to achieving our climate goals.”
This new $42 million investment, supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act and other capital resources, will directly support communities in designing and implementing innovative agricultural and resilience projects both on and off farms. Projects like these have been identified in clean water plans, local Soil and Water Conservation District strategic plans and other pollution prevention plans to further drive down nutrient and sediment runoff in the Eastern Finger Lakes watersheds.
Key initiatives include:
- Expanding the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program to help farmers reduce water pollution from agricultural activities.
- Enhancing flood resiliency by stabilizing and protecting vulnerable streams, reducing sediment erosion, and upgrading culverts to minimize runoff.
- Bolstering cover crop adoption to improve soil health and water quality.
- Supporting nutrient reduction strategies outlined in watershed-based plans.
State Senator Rachel May said, “Our region’s freshwater resources are truly unique and precious. However, these valuable resources are now under threat, particularly from harmful algal blooms that have been impacting our lakes. This year, we made significant strides in safeguarding our freshwater by securing millions of dollars in funding for the Eastern Finger Lakes. Protecting the biodiversity of our lake ecosystems and ensuring the quality of our water are some of my top priorities. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for supporting this effort, ensuring that Central New York’s lakes contribute to our region’s beauty, recreation, and economy.
State Senator Pam Helming said, “Our lakes and watersheds are essential to public health and safe drinking water, to our tourism and recreation economy, our agricultural economy, and to supporting new business investment and jobs. This investment in protecting water quality and combating HABs is especially important in the Finger Lakes. We are fortunate to have so many dedicated watershed organizations doing this critical work in our local communities, and I thank the state DEC for its partnership in these efforts.”
Assemblymember John Lemondes said, “As one of only 3 commercial farmers in the NYS Legislature, I understand first-hand the importance of legitimate conservation practices that ensure water quality and food viability for generations to come. Infrastructure improvements and upgrades are a necessary building block to maintaining clean water, cleaner wastewater discharge and a viable food supply. Without constant monitoring and upgrading of all three of these pillars, the replacement costs can get out of hand quickly. This funding helps reduce total long-term life cycle costs.”
Assemblymember Philip Palmesano said, “This funding will help provide critically necessary resources to address the increased presence of HABs in the Finger Lakes Region. This investment will help preserve the precious and pristine waters of the beautiful Finger Lakes as well as encourage local farmers to implement best practices that will improve the condition of the water and soil they depend on to provide us with food for our families. Thank you, Governor Hochul, DEC Commissioner Mahar, Commissioner Ball and the all Soil and Water Conservation Districts for committing the resources and working to protect our communities and precious resources.”
Assemblymember Anna Kelles said, “The prevalence and pervasiveness of Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) in our lakes and waterways negatively affects human health, wildlife, the integrity of water ecosystems, and ultimately the lifeblood of our economy here in the Finger Lakes. Despite a vigorous statewide monitoring system, the overall incidence of HABs in the Finger Lakes region of New York State has been increasing. This $42 million dollar investment to protect and enhance water quality in the region and both enhance comprehensive monitoring as well as address the underlying causes of HABs outbreaks could not be more timely. It represents a statewide commitment to comprehensive solutions and multi-stakeholder engagement that is the only way we will curb this troubling and environmentally damaging trend. I am honored to celebrate this critical funding to protect the Finger Lakes for generations to come.”
Cayuga SWCD Executive Director Doug Kierst said, “Funding for the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition, through the continued support of NYS, will strengthen and enhance the eleven local Soil and Water Conservation Districts ability to protect the valuable natural resources throughout the Eastern Finger Lakes Region. SWCDs will continue to address local water quality concerns and needs through locally led conservation programs and initiatives, resulting in an increase in the implementation of Best Management Practices that have proven to be effective in nutrient and sediment reduction.”
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