Category: Announcements

Cayuga County Strategic Plan Community Assessment Survey #1

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

By Evan Tuthill and Emily Antonacci, Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development

The Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development is currently working on developing the Cayuga Countywide Strategic Plan, the County’s first since 1969.

The Cayuga Countywide Strategic Plan is a long-term roadmap to help guide decisions about growth, development, housing, infrastructure, and quality of life across our communities. With input from residents, local leaders, and organizations, the plan will outline shared goals and practical strategies to build a stronger, more resilient future.

As part of Cayuga County’s ongoing Strategic Planning process, we are excited to announce the launch of our first Community Assessment Survey. This is a key step in our efforts to gather public input on existing conditions within the County and will help guide the long-term vision, goals, and strategies for the future of Cayuga County. The department will be conducting four surveys over the next year covering a range of topics. This initial survey focuses on questions which assess placemaking and identity within individual communities as well as the County as a whole. Additional surveys covering separate topics including quality of life, public services, and natural resources will be released quarterly throughout the year with the next one expected in early October.

We’re asking that all county residents, business owners, property owners and visitors take a few minutes to complete the survey and to share it with your family, friends, and neighbors to complete. Broad community input is essential to the success of this effort so we can ensure that the plan reflects the real needs and desires of Cayuga County residents. We will be collecting survey responses through end-of-day on August 12th, 2025.

The survey is available online on our project website here: https://cayugacountyplanning.wixsite.com/strategicplan/get-involved. Alternatively, physical versions of the survey can be made available upon request by contacting the department (planning@cayugacounty.us).

Thank you in advance for helping us reach as many residents as possible and for supporting this important initiative!

Invasive Species Awareness Week

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

By Natalie Stanton, Planner, Cayuga County Department of Planning & Economic Development

New York State’s annual Invasive Species Awareness Week is from June 3rd to June 9th, 2025. This annual campaign aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of invasive species and their detrimental impact by offering a diverse array of activities throughout the state and providing individuals with practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species. To get more information on invasive species, and a schedule of Invasive Species Awareness Week events visit https://nyis.info/ny-invasive-species-awareness-week/.

Fillmore Nature Preserve Grand Opening

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

Fillmore Nature Preserve is a 161-acre property that is critical for protecting water quality in Owasco Lake. A study by The Nature Conservancy ranked the property within the top 10 parcels in the Owasco Lake watershed with the greatest impact on water quality. The land includes diverse forests and approximately 40 acres of freshwater wetlands. The Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council (OLWMC) closed on the property transfer from The Nature Conservancy in January 2023 and established the Fillmore Nature Preserve. The grand opening of the Fillmore Nature Preserve was held November 7, 2024 with promotional support provided by Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce, Cayuga County WQMA and the Citizen Newspaper. Read more about it in our December newsletter.

Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) Sub-Basin Work Group Meetings Coming Soon

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Great Lakes program staff are excited to announce that the next round of Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) Sub-Basin Work Group meetings will be held this fall to provide opportunities to learn updates from NYSDEC Great Lakes Program and partners, including updates on the Baseline Conditions Characterization, network with work group members, and coordinate work planning.

The Southeast (SE) Lake Ontario Work Group meeting will be held on Thurday, November 14th, 2024; 1:00 – 4:00pm                                                                                                                                  

Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center

6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway Liverpool, NY

*an optional center tour will be held from 10am to 12pm

Click to Register (in-person and virtually)

Email greatlakes@dec.ny.gov with questions or comments.

Water News

Posted on by Michele Wunderlich

2020/2022 New York State Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters

In the September 11, 2024 Environmental Notice Bulletin, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the Final 2020/2022 New York State Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters Requiring a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the Response to Public Comments on the Draft 2020/2022 List has been released. This Final 2020/2022 List identifies waters that do not meet applicable water quality standards and do not support applicable best uses, thereby requiring a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). You can find the 2020/2022 List and the Response to Public Comments here on DEC’s website.

Pollution Prevention Plan for Cayuga Lake Watershed

The NYSDEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced that the Cayuga Lake Total Maximum Daily Load has been finalized.  A TMDL is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved nutrient pollution reduction “budget” to help restore the water quality of Cayuga Lake’s southern end for recreation and help protect drinking water. The TMDL for the lake provides a detailed analysis of phosphorus pollutant sources, recommends a 30 percent reduction of phosphorus from the watershed to meet the lake’s water quality standards, and will be used by stakeholders throughout the entire watershed to improve water quality. The TMDL for Cayuga Lake is posted under “Lake TMDLs” on the Clean Water Plans webpage along with the response to public comments (chapter 8.0) and supporting documentation (appendices).