Category: Uncategorized

Isaac Walker Watershed Manager, Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization

Recently, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO) assisted the Finger Lakes Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (FL-PRISM) and NY State Parks on a project to treat Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA), a non-native invasive insect that can harm and eventually kill hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis).

The project focused on areas within 25 feet of streams in four state parks, Buttermilk Falls, Robert H. Treman, Fillmore Glen, and Watkins Glen. Roughly 1000 trees were treated with insecticide. This treatment of trees in riparian areas is key to continuing watershed health. Hemlock trees provide shade that is essential in keeping stream temperatures cool enough for many trout species. In addition to shade, these trees provide stabilization of the steep banks found in many of these parks.

The culmination of the project was an educational site visit to Buttermilk Falls on November 7th, hosted by CWIO Watershed Manager, Isaac Walker. The visit provided watershed groups, municipalities and other partners the opportunity to ask questions of the contractor that did the treatment, AMRO Forestry. Artem Treyger, Executive Vice President of AMRO, was able to answer questions about cost, what type of trees are eligible for treatment, and the different types of treatment available. This information was valuable for the lake associations in attendance, many of whom are interested in treating HWA on private land. This treatment is also useful for municipalities who are actively using it in parks and open spaces. Artem also gave a demonstration of the ArborJet insecticide treatment system, which was used on this project.

Public participation and further information

Public participation is a key component of HWA management, in addition to treatment.  A useful source of HWA information and advice is the New York State Hemlock Initiative https://blogs.cornell. edu/nyshemlockinitiative/, a Cornell University project that researches the Integrated Pest Management and Biological Control of HWA. NYSHI works with scientists, natural resource management professionals, and New York residents that are united in their love for hemlock trees and their dedication to hemlock conservation.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

By Liz Kreitinger, Steward/Executive Director, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network

In 2024, the NYS DEC, US Army Corps of Engineers, Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), and local Hydrilla Task Force Partners continued their coordinated hydrilla management in Cayuga Lake. Hydrilla is considered a high risk aquatic invasive species and is notoriously challenging to eradicate. Local, state, and federal invasive species managers have evaluated, monitored, and supported this hydrilla program for over a decade. This year, their work included:

The NYS DEC Region 7 Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator and field staff monitored hydrilla at 12 locations from May to October. Data from 6,230 points across 1,000 surface acres showed hydrilla only near known infestation sites: Aurora, Sheldrake, Weyers Point, Ladoga Bay, Lansing Harbor, and Myers Park Marina. The Coordinator oversaw herbicide treatments in Aurora, Sheldrake, Myers Park, Lansing Harbor, and Ladoga Bay, while staff worked with USACE, USFWS, and FL PRISM on large-scale monitoring in Aurora and the lake’s southern area.

The US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District continued herbicide treatments in the Aurora infestation area (99 acres) and Ithaca (51 acres). Surveys in the Aurora treatment area showed 1.3% detection of hydrilla, suggesting effective control overall, except in the area offshore of MacKenzie-Childs. Ithaca surveys showed hydrilla in 0.5% of samples. Both areas showed good presence of other aquatic plants. The areas near MacKenzie-Childs, Fall Creek, and portions of the Cayuga Lake inlet remain as areas of concern for management in the south end.

The Finger Lakes PRISM completed over 3,600 rake toss surveys in Cayuga, finding no new hydrilla populations. However, hydrilla was observed growing in the Myers Park Marina in September. Don’s Marina in King Ferry, last treated in 2019, showed no hydrilla for the fifth consecutive year—a promising sign of effective management.

Public transparency is a key part of the Cayuga Lake Hydrilla program. For years, the Hydrilla Task Force has issued pre- and post-treatment press releases and held public meetings. The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network leads information sharing and public engagement by providing updates at lakeshore locations, through newsletters and the website, and by hosting an end-of-season public forum. These efforts allow the community to ask questions, voice concerns, and learn about the management plan and results from the agencies.

This year’s public meeting was held on December 4th and included important questions that have been brought up by the community, including about the chemistry of the herbicides used, long-term impacts of hydrilla and its treatment, and the future of the program given reductions in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to the USACE for the program. A recording of the meeting is available on CLWN’s YouTube Channel and the presentation pdfs can be found on our Hydrilla Information and Action webpage.

By Valerie Horning, Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District

Cayuga Recycles, a program of the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development, in conjunction with the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, is sponsoring the annual “Trade-A-Tree” program in Cayuga County. Bring in your “used” (real) Christmas tree after the holidays, and we will give you a certificate for a tree seedling to be picked up in the spring! Old trees will be chipped into mulch to be used on county projects, rather than taking up space in landfills. A balsam fir seedling will be given out to anyone who redeems their certificate on May 9, 2025 at the Annual Conservation District Spring Tree & Shrub Sale.

Trees must be free of decorations, tinsel, wraps and any other foreign objects. They can be donated at the Natural Resource Center, 7413 County House Road, Sennett, at the following times:
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 26 and 27
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30
• 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Dec. 31
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 2 and 3
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Jan. 6 through 10
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Jan. 13 through 17

For more information, please visit our website at www.cayugaswcd.org or call the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District at (315)252-4171, ext. 4, or stop by our office located on County House Road in Sennett. We are available Monday – Friday from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

Written by Michele Wunderlich

Cleaning up after your dog is not just a courtesy, it helps keep our lakes and streams clean. Pet waste can pollute our local water resources and can be a significant risk to public health!

Dog waste contains harmful bacteria and nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.  When rain or snowmelt flows over the land surface, it can pick up the pet waste and carry these bacteria and nutrients into nearby lakes, streams and wetlands.  The bacteria can cause human disease and health problems and can make the water unsafe for drinking and swimming.  Nitrogen and phosphorus

from the waste will also promote the growth of unwanted rooted aquatic plants and algae, including harmful algal blooms, in lakes and streams.

To prevent pet waste from getting into our waterbodies remember to take along a plastic bag or pooper scooper when you walk your dog. Flush the waste (not the bag) down the toilet or toss the waste (bag and all) into the garbage.

Clean water starts with you.