One local environmental group is looking for signatures for a letter being sent to Governor Kathy Hochul about the health of New York’s waterbodies.
Save Owasco Now (SON) is asking people across the Finger Lakes to sign a coalition letter written by Toxins Targeting. The letter asks the governor to protect waterbodies across the state by implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads and clean-up plans for lakes and rivers affected by Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Specifically, it calls on Hochul to adopt, develop, and implement TMDLs for any waterbodies in the state on the 303(d) registry.
While SON is primarily concerned with the protection of Owasco Lake, the group is hoping this letter will force action on all lakes and rivers in the Finger Lakes and beyond affected by HABs. Terry Cuddy with SON told Finger Lakes News Radio they’re raising an alarm.
“Frankly, this coalition letter is not just for Owasco Lake; it’s for Cayuga Lake; it’s really for all lakes in New York State because NYS is not doing their job. They’re not following the law to protect the waterbodies of New York State, the drinking water of New York State, and this is raising the alarm,” Cuddy said.
He added they need as many signatures as possible to force New York to listen.
“The problem is that the state is not doing anything,” Cuddy added. “That’s where we are. We’ve talked to the politicians, now the people are going to start talking to the politicians and that’s what this letter is about.”
You can view and sign the letter at toxinstargeting.org.
