The Chautauqua Lake Partnership (Partnership) has depended on grassroots community support and municipality leadership for its efforts. This has been most apparent in 2017 and 2018 invasive weed management efforts involving herbicides. Overwhelming public support, unwavering leadership by the Town of Ellery as SEIS Lead Agency and supportive SEIS Findings and permit applications by the Towns of Ellery, Ellicott, Busti and North Harmony and the Village of Celoron complemented significant funding from individuals, businesses and three local foundations in support of 2017 and 2018 Partnership initiatives.
The Partnership’s support and the Town of Ellery’s leadership was successful in returning herbicides to the Chautauqua Lake weed management toolkit after a 25-year absence. 2018 herbicide treatments, although limited by arbitrary DEC permit limitations and lack of adequate funding, were successful. The Partnership has received an overwhelmingly positive response from individuals in those areas which were treated along with pleas for help from areas which did not receive treatment.
For your convenience we have made available a document entitled “Interested in Voicing Your Concern About Lake Water Conditions??” which provides guidance and informational resources to facilitate your individual action and voice with Town, Village, County, State and DEC representatives. To be clear, to get the necessary support for continuation of herbicide-based weed management in Chautauqua Lake you all must begin immediately, before summer is over and many leave for the season…
- Call or visit and voice your support to your Town, Village, County and State representatives (contact information is included in the attachment)
- Gather your neighbors or go individually and speak in support at meetings of Town and Village Boards and the County Legislature (contact information is included in the attachment)
- Write letters in support to Town, Village, County, State and DEC representatives (sample letters are included in the attachment)
You’ll have an opportunity to voice your concerns and requests at the County’s Chautauqua Lake Rally at The Village Casino in Bemus Point on August 18, 2018, 9:00 am – noon.
And, most importantly, we need you to participate in the Partnership’s Labor Day Rally at The Village Casino in Bemus Point on Saturday, September 1, 9:00 – 11:00 am. A portion of the Rally will be dedicated to reporting out on your efforts. If possible, attend the Rally with members of your community as a group. More information on the Partnership Rally will be coming.
Chautauqua Lake Partnership, Inc.
E-Mail: [email protected]g
USPS: PO Box 337, Bemus Point, NY 14712
Website: www.chqlake.org