Nozzolio To Host Community Meeting On Protection Of Owasco Lake

Auburn – New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio today announced that he will be providing an update to local residents on Owasco Lake at a Community Meeting on Wednesday, June 27th. The Senator will discuss his continued efforts to protect and improve the water quality of Owasco Lake and will be joined at the meeting by local City and County officials, as well as water quality experts from the Finger Lakes Institute.

Officials from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have also been invited to participate to discuss their recent decision to allow the Village of Groton to increase the amount of phosphorous that is discharged into Owasco Lake.

Details of the meeting are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, June 27th

Time: 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Place: Emerson Park Pavilion, Auburn

All residents are encouraged to attend to discuss the on-going measures to protect and preserve the water quality of Owasco Lake.

“It is my hope that all citizens concerned with the future viability of Owasco Lake will be able to attend this important community meeting,” said Senator Nozzolio.

Senator Nozzolio has been a vocal critic of the DEC’s decision to allow the Village of Groton to increase their level of phosphorous discharge into Owasco Lake and has stated his firm opposition in a letter to DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis.

“Allowing increased amounts of phosphorous into Owasco Lake would absolutely halt the progress that has been made this year to clean up the lake,” said Senator Nozzolio.

At the meeting, Dr. John Halfman of the Finger Lakes Institute will present the results of the water quality studies he has done on Owasco Lake over the past year. City and County officials will also attend to discuss the creation of a lake steward position to help oversee the protection of Owasco Lake. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the community to review the progress that has been made and discuss further actions that are needed to protect Owasco Lake.

As part of his efforts to preserve Owasco Lake, Senator Nozzolio successfully secured state funding to address the critical issues threatening the Lake, including enhancing Cayuga County’s weed harvesting efforts. Nozzolio has also worked to create the position of a lake steward that will work to ensure compliance by local municipalities to protect the water quality of Owasco Lake.

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