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Advocate - Write to Officials

The CLP (Chautauqua Lake Partnership) urges you to submit your comments to the DEC and other key stakeholders to
  1. Object strongly to future classification of any additional parts of Chautauqua Lake as regulated wetland
  2. Support use of aquatic herbicides to manage invasive species

Your message should be customized based on the subject and recipient group you select from the list below.  

It does not have to be lengthy or take a lot of time to write, but should include the following:

  • Who you are as a stakeholder, for example, home owner, recreational user, business owner, etc.
  • What is at stake for you if the lake condition deteriorates
  • Why you are writing     (see example messaging points below)
  • Reference your LOCAL Chautauqua Lake address 

Call-to-Action Forms for towns that do not currently sponsor herbicides

Please direct messages to the town or village of your residence only. For example, if you live in the Town of Chautauqua and do not pay Village tax, direct your letter only to the Town.  If you live in the Village, you may direct yours to the Town, the Village, or both.

Send a message to the Governor using her contact form:

Governor Kathy Hochul    

1-518-474-8390

The Honorable Kathy Hochul Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224

Reference list for DEC, state and local officals

State Level DEC Leadership

DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Maharsean.mahar@dec.ny.gov 

Head, Habitat Protection Section, JR Jacobson  roy.jacobson@dec.ny.gov 

DEC DEC – Division of Fish and Wildlife WetlandRegulatoryComments@dec.ny.gov

 

DEC Region 9 Leadership

Director Julie Barrett-O’Neill  julie.barrett-oneill@dec.ny.gov  and region9@dec.ny.gov

Assistant Director Chad Staniszewski chad.staniszewski@dec.ny.gov

Pesticides (Herbicide Permitting)  Robert Freese  robert.freese@dec.ny.gov and deppermitting@dec.ny.gov 

EcoSystem Health (Wetlands)  R9BEH@dec.ny.gov

NY State Representatives

State Senator George Borello  borello@nysenate.gov  

Assemblyman District #150 Andy Goodell goodella@nyassembly.gov

US Congressman Nick Langworthy replangworthy@mail.house.gov

Chautauqua County Representatives

County Executive PJ Wendel  wendelp@CHQgov.com 

Legislator, District 8 Pierre Chagnon ChagnonP@CHQgov.com 

Legislator, District 10 Jamie Gustafson  jamie.gustafson@CHQgov.com 

Legislator, District 15 Lisa Vanstrom lisa.vanstrom@CHQgov.com 

Legislator, District 17 Travis Heiser travis.heiser@CHQgov.com 

Legislator, District 18 Martin Proctor  marty.proctor@CHQgov.com

Town /Village Representatives

Bemus Point Village Mayor Jeffry Molnar villageofbemuspoint@gmail.com 

Busti Town Supervisor Jesse Robbins  JRobbins@townofbusti.com 

Celoron Village Mayor Scott Schrecengost celoron@netsync.net 

Chautauqua Town Supervisor Donal Emhardt  supervisor@townofchautauqua.com 

Ellery Town Supervisor Lawrence Anderson ellerysupervisor@gmail.com

 Ellicott Town Supervisor Janet Bowman  supervisor@townofellicott.com 

Harmony Town Supervisor John Brown  harmonytownsupervisor@gmail.com 

Lakewood Village Mayor Randall Holcomb  holcomb14750@gmail.com 

North Harmony Town Supervisor Robert Yates supervisor@townofnorthharmony.com 

Mayville Village Mayor Richard Syper mayvillemayor@netsync.net

Example content for messages

Governor & State Level DEC Officals

  • Object strongly to regulating any part of Chautauqua Lake as a wetland
  • Ask for Freshwater Lake exemption to be added to rules
  • Stress the economic importance of Chautauqua Lake  and that regulations should support not impede management of invasive species

NYS DEC Region 9

  • Object strongly to regulating any part of Chautauqua Lake as a wetland
  • Voice your support for professionally managed herbicide treatments in support of your town’s permit application
  • Talk about experience of invasive lake weeds prior to treatments (2020) and about the improved conditions experienced in 2022 and 2023

State and County Elected Officals

  • Object strongly to regulation of Chautauqua Lake as wetland
  • Support funding for Chautauqua Lake water quality and invasive aquatic plant management including herbicide treatments

Town / Village Elected Officials

  • Object strongly to regulation of Chautauqua Lake as wetland
  • Voice  your support for professionally managed herbicide treatments for your town and lake-wide