Vol. 5 - Issue No. 5 - May 25, 2023 -Welcome to the Skaneateles Lake Association's (SLA) monthly e-newsletter distributed the last Thursday of each month.
Clear Lake.Pure Water.promotes watershed wide protection of Skaneateles Lake by sharing news on SLA's and community partner work around the watershed along with tips and takeaways on how we can all play a part in lake protection through Lake Friendly Living efforts.
Photo: Scott Kishbaugh, (retired) Chief - Lake Monitoring and Assessment Section at NYSDEC Division of Water, presents on measuring impact of invasive plants at NYSFOLA Conference - also pictured SLA's Milfoil Monster showcased in Scott's presentation.
As I enjoyed the mountain lake views of Lake George, I realized how extraordinary Skaneateles Lake is as we are able to maintain a "Clear Lake with Pure Water" despite all the pressures of nutrients from development activity, farming, septic, pet waste, and other sources carried in runoff.
With less regulatory protection provided from policies of the Adirondack Park Agency and the Lake George Park Commission, it is remarkable the efforts our community takes on to care for this lake, but the threats are still there and we must continue to rise to the occasion and ensure we as a community and organization capitalize on every opportunity to be stewards for a gem of a lake called Skaneateles.
It is imperative as New York State provides funding throught the Environmental Protection Fund and the Environmental Bond Act, that we look to seek support for Skaneateles. SLA is dedicated to that action and we are gad to be working with leaders to help do so as well.
We are pleased to announce that we are launching a limited pilot matching grant program to incentivize improvements to shared private road drainage to help reduce sediment from entering the lake. More details below.
Thank you for all you do to support our mission in protection. We have great aspirations and plans we wish to share at our upcoming Annual Meeting at Lourdes Camp on June 30th from 4-7 PM. Please join us in-person this year!
In this issue, please find the following:
SLA 2023 Annual Meeting Invitation- June 30th at Lourdes Camp - 4-7 PM - Program at 5:30 PM
SLA Announces Shared Private Road Drainage Improvement Fund
The Skaneateles Lake Association (SLA) is pleased to announce a matching grant program for residents who share with neighbors a privately owned access road that has drainage problems resulting in sediment erosion reaching the lake.
The total 2023 program budget, provided by SLA’s Legacy Fund is $50,000. It will be dispersed in up to $10,000 max awards to help solve or substantially reduce drainage issues associated with shared access roads.
Many thanks to all the Legacy Fund Supporters and Dr. Dana Hall, Mark Schwab, Dr. Neil Murphy, Dr. Paul Torrisi, and Tim Johnson of Anchor QEA Engineers for their expertise and efforts in initiating and developing this program.
Photo: example of a hydroseed planting project to reduce soil erosion on a shared private road. Local HOA perfomed improvements while Onondaga Soil & Water Conservation District and SLA split costs on revegetation. SLA Shared Private Road Drainage Improvemnet Fund establishment is designed to foster additional impactful nutrient reduction projects to help protect Skaneateles Lake.
Photo: Watercraft Stewards Jay Smith and Marty Minet checking boats for Invasive Species at NYSDEC Launch
NATIONAL BOAT SAFETY WEEK
Remember to BE SAFE and KEEP BOATS CLEAN, DRAINED, & DRY to HELP COMBAT INVASIVE SPECIES HARMFUL TO SKANEATELES LAKE.
Many thanks to our hard working boat launch stewards keeping an eye on boats and the lake!
Milfoil Control Boat Photo by Ty Denslow
Keep an eye out for the Milfoil Control Boat and divers with diver flags out! Many thanks to John Menapace and crew with Aquatic Invasives who are starting to put benthic mats out next week using data from surveys taken last year. We continue to be proud of the great work done in keeping Milfoil under Control with over 6 acres of matting. To read about last year's efforts, click HERE.
SLA's AIS Prevention and Milfoil Control yearly costs are close to $250,000 and primarily supported by annual membership funds.
Please encourage your friends and family to support our membership fund and renew if you haven't yet.
Onondaga CCE Shorelines Matter Series
Shorelines Matter: An educational series about Skaneateles Lake shoreline protection and restoration
This series will focus on shore zones, their importance, why homeowners opt for certain shoreline types over others, what surrounding states are doing to incentivize natural shorelines, and techniques and native plants to use for shoreline restoration.
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES – HOW NEIGHBORS INFLUENCE SHORELINE TYPE
Ever wondered why your neighbor has a hardened shoreline instead of a natural shoreline? Join us for this session that will provide context on human behavior related to shorelines. This presentation will share research-based information on predictors of shoreline type, or what influences a property owner’s shoreline type. This event will also explore research about peoples’ willingness to participate in different hypothetical shoreline programs. Additionally, there will be a presentation introducing the Vermont Lake Wise program – an example of an initiative by a neighboring state to encourage natural shorelines and protect lake health.
Photo: August 20, 2021 - high waters on Skaneateles Lake throughout NYS after remnants of Tropical Storm Fred.
