The state will spend $42 million to improve quality in the eastern Finger Lakes, including Otisco and Skaneateles lakes, the governor has announced.
“Clean water is critical to sustaining the health of our communities, protecting our environment, and supporting local economies in the Finger Lakes,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a release. “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.”
The goal is to address the causes of harmful algal blooms to reduce their frequency. The work by the state departments of environmental conservation, agriculture and markets and the state Soil and Water Conservation Committe, plus 11 Soil and Water Conservation districts, includes Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua lakes and their watersheds. The Eastern Finger Lakes watershed cover more than 30% of the Lake Ontario drainage basic. .
“The prevalence and pervasiveness of Harmful Algae Blooms 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,” said Assembly Member Anna Kelles (D-Freeville). “This $42 million 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.”
