Fillmore Nature Preserve Grand Opening

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.

Water News

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).

 

Trade-A-Tree

After Christmas this year, trade in your old tree for a free Colorado Blue Spruce seedling! The Cayuga County Trade-a-Tree for a Tree program offers residents an opportunity to recycle their Christmas tree in exchange for a conifer seedling.   It’s fast, easy, and free!

WHAT: Trade-a-Tree for a Tree Program

WHERE: Cayuga County Natural Resource Center , 7413 County House Road , Auburn

WHEN:   Tree pick-up for those who received coupons is at the Spring Annual Tree and Shrub Sale Pick-up. Please remember to turn in your coupon for a free Fraser Fir Seedling on May 10, 2024 at Soil & Water.

For more information, please contact the District office at 315-252-4171 ext. 4

Dates & Times for Recycling:

December 26-29, 2023 from 8 am to 3:30 pm
January 2-5, 2024 from 8 am to 3:30 pm
January 8-12, 2024 from 8 am to 3:30 pm
January 16-19, 2024 from 8 am to 3:30 pm

Residential Guidelines to Protect Water Quality in Cayuga County

The Cayuga County Nutrient and Sediment Working Group of the Cayuga County WQMA prepared the Residential Guidelines to Protect Water Quality in Cayuga County, a set of guidelines recommended for homeowners to follow in order to minimize the impact of stormwater from their properties.  This document was approved and adopted by the Cayuga County WQMA on February 6, 2020 and the Cayuga County Legislature on February 25, 2020.

The Cayuga County WQMA and Legislature encourages the adoption and implementation of these practices among all people.

These guidelines are available here.

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to Hold Public Meeting for Cleanup of Groundwater at the Cayuga County Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site, Cayuga County, New York

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the opening of a 30-day public comment period on the Proposed Plan to address the cleanup of contaminated groundwater in a portion of the Cayuga County Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Cayuga County, New York.  As part of the public comment period, EPA will hold a public meeting on August 8, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., at the Union Springs High School located at 239 Cayuga Street, Union Springs, New York.  The meeting will address the proposed cleanup plan and will allow community members to comment on the proposed plan to EPA officials.

Based on the results of the supplemental Investigation Study Report, EPA recommends monitored natural attenuation as the preferred alternative in the Proposed Plan. The preferred alternative includes a long-term monitoring plan and implementation of institutional controls limiting groundwater use.

The proposed plan is available at www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/cayuga and at the Seymour Public Library, 176 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY and the EPA Records Center, 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY.

Comments regarding EPA’s preferred remedy must be submitted by August 27, 2019, to Isabel R. Fredricks, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA, 290 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866, rodrigues.isabel@epa.gov