With harmful algal blooms becoming more frequent across the Finger Lakes, one group is continuing to call on the governor to step in and help save the 11 lakes.
Save Owasco Now will hold a meeting next week to discuss the next steps in its fight to protect Owasco Lake.
The group is also seeking to build partnerships with lake organizations across the Finger Lakes to ensure that all the waterbodies are protected. By increasing the number of groups working together and individuals pressuring state officials, it is hoped that meaningful action will be taken to protect the lakes.
The meeting will take place at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES at 7:00p on Wednesday, October 9.
2024 has seen the Finger Lakes plagued by blooms. For example, the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association reported last week the lake experienced 14 consecutive days of cyanoHABs in September, the largest documented stretch of HAB activity since monitoring began in 2015.
At its September 26 city council meeting, Auburn City Councilors discussed the possibility of extending the intake pipe at Owasco Lake that the city uses to provide drinking water to approximately 45,000 people throughout Cayuga County. It’s hoped that extending the pipe will avoid HAB contamination.
The City of Auburn, Town of Owasco, and environmental advocates have been fighting with the state over how to best protect Owasco Lake. The city, town, and Owasco Watershed Lake Association have sued the state, alleging the Department of Health (DOH) has violated residents’ rights under the state constitution to clean water.
In July, the DOH announced it would not amend the Owasco Watershed Rules & Regulations for the city and town, leading to an outcry from local officials.
The Department of Environmental Conservation has also excluded Owasco Lake from the 303(d) list of impaired waterbodies that are to receive a Total Maximum Daily Load clean-up plan.
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