Author: Michele Wunderlich

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day to be held

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

On October 20, 2018, Cayuga County will once again be hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Day giving residents of the City of Auburn and County of Cayuga the opportunity to safely discard hazardous household chemicals.  The event is FREE, but residents interested in attending however MUST register by October 19th at: https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=HHW2018_205.

Hazardous materials contain ingredients that when improperly disposed of can pose significant health, safety and environmental risks.  Pouring hazardous materials in the drain, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are not proper measures of disposal.  Many hazardous materials can go through wastewater treatment facilities untouched because they don’t breakdown in the process and will eventually be released into rivers, lakes and streams. Dumping several products down the drain at the same time can also cause chemical reactions that release toxic gases.  By throwing hazardous waste in a garbage can, we create a health risk to anyone who may unknowingly come into contact with it, such as a sanitation worker.

 These items aren’t your regular trash. Protect yourself, your family and your environment by getting rid of them the right way.

 Acceptable Household Hazardous Wastes To Bring to this Event Include: 

  • Products containing chemicals
  • Oil based paints, oil based stains
  • Turpentine, paint thinners, brush cleaners
  • Pesticides (weed killers, insect sprays, fungicides)
  • Mercury thermometers, barometers and liquid mercury (quick silver)
  • Fluorescent tubes and bulbs (contains mercury)
  • Liquid driveway sealer
  • Household cleaners
  • Gasoline, gas/oil, oil/water, gas/water mixtures
  • Antifreeze
  • Mothballs
  • Pool chemicals
  • Photograph developing chemicals
  • Button cell batteries (from hearing aids, cameras, etc.)
  • Propane tanks
  • Smoke detectors

Look for warnings on labels such as DANGER, CAUTION, TOXIC, FLAMMABLE, CORROSIVE or REACTIVE.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D or 9-volt batteries are not accepted at this event.  They areNOT toxic and can go in the trash.
  • We can NOT accept rechargeable batteries.  Please bring them to Lowes or Home Depot to recycle for free.
  • Latex paint is NOT accepted at this event.  For latex paint disposal, check out: http://www.cayugacounty.us/portals/0/planning/documents/paint.pdf

If you have any questions about a specific item being accepted, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County at (315) 255-1183.

This event is sponsored by the Cayuga County Legislature, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development and the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District. Communication and registration is provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County. Major funding is provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Cayuga County Legislature. 

 

Dispose of leaves properly to protect water quality

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Living in the Finger Lakes in the summer not only provides ample opportunity for recreating on its waterbodies, it also offers crisp autumn days with a colorful backdrop to bask in. As the leaves on our trees transform from green to the hues of the season and descend to the ground, they don’t just provide vibrant color, they are the source of nutrients that unfortunately can have a detrimental effect on our local waterbodies and water quality.

Phosphorus, an essential nutrient for plant growth, is released as a leaf begins to decompose. When left littering the ground or swept into the street, leaf litter can be transported by rain or melting snow into a storm drain and then out into the nearest lake, river or stream. Similarly, leaves discarded into gullies or roadside ditches eventually make their way to our waterbodies.

An excess amount of phosphorus in a fresh body of water can stimulate algae growth. Excessive algae growth blocks sunlight and prevents other plants from growing. When algae dies and decays, it takes essential oxygen away from fish. Phosphorus also contributes to the formation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), that can produce dangerous toxins.

According to a study in Madison, Wisconsin by the United States Geological Survey, (https://www.usgs.gov/news/removal-fallen-leaves-can-improve-urban-water-quality) the timely removal of leaf litter reduced harmful phosphorus concentrations in storm water by over 80%. By properly handling leaf litter, we can all have a positive impact on water quality.

By making a conscientious effort to keep leaves out of streets and gutters, gullies and roadside ditches, the amount of phosphorus entering surface water can be reduced. Rake and bag fallen leaves in your yard. Many towns and villages offer curbside collection of properly compiled yard waste. Consider composting. It’s a great way to condition and enhance your soil and a less-expensive, more eco-friendly alternative to commercial fertilizers. Leaves also can serve as a mulch for flower beds, shrubs and trees. Simply use the mulching setting on your mower and bag as you go.

Learn About Hydrilla

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Hydrilla is an extremely aggressive aquatic plant that has the ability to grow up to a foot a day.  The thick, dense mats it forms obstructs boating, swimming and fishing.  Its invasiveness growth blocks sunlight that kills native plants and its excessive presence reduces oxygen in the water that can alter fish habitat.  Waterfowl feeding areas and fish spawning sites are at risk of elimination with Hydrilla overabundance and water treatment, power generation and industrial facilities can sustain damage when intakes are blocked.  Extreme and stubborn Hydrilla in an area can also lower the value of waterfront property.

The on-going fight against Hydrilla growing in Cayuga Lake in areas near Cayuga County has been underway now since 2017.  This year’s treatment began in late June 2018.  The approximate 60-day treatment plan includes a slow release of the herbicide fluridone through pellets applied below the water surface.  The fluridone is absorbed into the plant’s roots and ultimately disrupts the plant’s ability to use light during its photosynthesis process. Throughout the course of treatment, there are no health risks to residents who draw their water from Cayuga Lake.  For more information on Hydrilla and Fluridone, please visit the Cayuga County Health Department’s website at:  http://www.cayugacounty.us/Community/Health/Environmental-Health/Hydrilla.   

The team from the Army Corps of Engineers leading the efforts on Cayuga Lake are reporting success with a noticeably reduced amount of Hydrilla throughout the treatment area.  The persistent nature of the plant however will mandate some form of management in the years to come.  

Early treatment is necessary in stopping the spread of Hydrilla.  In addition to scientific treatment strategies, the public too will be instrumental in identifying Hydrilla before it becomes too widespread making treatment impossible.  Residents should learn what the plant looks like and, when in the water, be on the lookout for it. For more information on how to identify and report possible Hydrilla infestations in Cayuga Lake, go to http://www.cayugalake.org/hydrillahunters.html. To report Hydrilla in other County lakes, send an email to isinfo@dec.ny.gov or call 518-402-9405.

In addition, strands of Hydrilla can attach to boats and other equipment and is then transplanted to other areas and lakes if not appropriately cleaned off.  Residents should carefully remove any aquatic vegetation, no matter how small, from water crafts when leaving any water body to be sure they are not transporting Hydrilla or other invasive species from one lake to another.

You can also learn more about invasive species here.

 

 

 

 

 

Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan Public Participation Meeting Held

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

A public participation/outreach meeting was held on August 13th for the “Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan—Incorporation of the EPA Nine Key Elements” project.  This public meeting was held to provide an update on the process to incorporate the EPA Nine Key Elements into the Owasco Lake Watershed Management and Waterfront Revitalization Plan, and to obtain public input on Watershed conditions and issues.  To view the presentations from that meeting or to view our public participation plan, please visit our website at http://www.cayugacounty.us/Departments/Water-Quality-Management-Agency/Information-on-County-Waterbodies/Owasco-Lake/Management-Plan.

Dr. Robert Howarth presents at the July Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency meeting

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

 

Dr. Robert Howarth of Cornell University presented at the July 12, 2018 Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency meeting. His presentation was “The HABs-Nutrient Connection: Might Nitrogen Play a Central Role.” His presentation can be viewed by clicking here. An article by Ryan Franklin that was published in the Citizen reporting on this meeting can be found here.

 

Harmful Algal Blooms Surveillance 2018

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

As the summer progresses, so does the possibility that harmful algal blooms will impact our County’s waterbodies. To learn more about harmful algal blooms, go here.

Two of our Finger Lakes currently are conducting surveillance for harmful algal blooms. The Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Owasco Watershed Inspection Program and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are conducting a lake-wide surveillance program for Owasco Lake and information on that program can be found here. The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, Discover Cayuga Lake and the Community Science Institute are also conducting the HABs Harriers Monitoring Program for Cayuga Lake and information on that program can be found here here.

For other waterbodies in the County, harmful algal blooms can be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on their website.