Cayuga County has received two grants from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Green Innovation Grant Program for the Owasco Flats Wetland Restoration and Riparian Buffers Initiative. This project is located on City of Auburn owned land off of New York Route 38 in the Town of Moravia. The Owasco Inlet is being reconnected with its floodplain with water control structures so that during high flow events water will flow into created and existing wetlands to filter out nutrients and sediment. The created wetlands will be similar to natural vernal pools that have standing water for a short period after storm events. Not having permanent standing water will encourage amphibian reproduction, while limiting predatory fish species, nesting waterfowl and mosquitoes.
Riparian buffers will also be added along drainageways and the Owasco Inlet to further reduce nutrients and sediment inputs. Overall, the project will reduce phosphorus and sediment that reaches Owasco Lake while improving habitat for invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
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