CAYUGA COUNTY WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Updated 12/4/02
Mission
The mission of the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency is to protect and improve the quality of water in Cayuga County.
Function
The Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency (WQMA) was established in November 1990 by the Cayuga County Legislature to provide a correlated approach to water quality management in Cayuga County. The agency's primary functions are to provide a vehicle for comprehensive planning combined with realistic implementation of goals for effective water quality management programs; to coordinate the efforts, activities and responsibilities of member agencies and organizations; and to increase public awareness and participation in water quality and quantity issues.
Goal
The goal of the County WQMA is to establish and implement a coordinated water quality program which identifies and addresses nonpoint source pollution and protection of groundwater resources in Cayuga County.
Organization, Procedures and Reporting
The membership of the County WQMA was amended by the Cayuga County Legislature on October 24, 2000 by Resolution 461. The membership consists of the Cayuga County Legislature's environmental advisors, non-county local officials, representatives from interested regional, state and federal agencies and Cayuga County waterbody representatives. The Legislature's environmental advisors consists of the Director of Cayuga County Planning and Development, Director of Cayuga County Environmental Health, Director of Cayuga County Parks and Trails, Director of Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cayuga County Solid Waste Management Program Administrator, and Cayuga County Cooperative Extension Director. The non-county, local officials include the City of Auburn Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector, a representative from the Association of Cayuga County Villages, and a representative from the Association of Cayuga County Towns. The representatives from interested regional, state and federal agencies are likely to reside outside of Cayuga County, therefore they would be ineligible to serve in an official capacity. Instead, they will serve as advisory, non-voting members. Finally, Cayuga County waterbody representatives must come from an organization formed to advocate on behalf of a water body in Cayuga County that consists of at least twenty-five members who meet at least twice per year and have an adopted charter or mission statement identifying the advocacy on behalf of a specified water body as its primary purpose. It is expected that each member will keep his/her respective agency or organization informed of the activities of the WQMA.
The primary duties of the WQMA are program advocacy, consensus building, oversight of task force activities, preparation of an annual report to be submitted to the County Legislature, and reporting directly to the Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Cayuga County Legislature.
WQMA Member Agencies and their Representatives
Chair:
Eileen O' Connor
Vice-Chair:
Michele D. Beilman
Cayuga County Legislature's Environmental Advisors
| Director of Cayuga County Planning and Development | David Miller |
| Director of Cayuga County Environmental Health | Eileen O'Connor |
| Director of Cayuga County Parks and Trails | Michele D. Beilman |
| Director of Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District | Jim Hotaling |
| Cayuga County Solid Waste Management Program Administrator | Bruce Natale |
| Cayuga County Cooperative Extension Director | Kathy Scholl |
Non-County, Local Officials
| Association of Towns | Vacant |
| Association of Villages | Vacant |
| City of Auburn Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector | Anthony DeCaro |
Representatives from Interested Regional, State and Federal Agencies (others may be added as from time to time express interest):
| Cayuga Lake Watershed Network | Sharon Anderson |
| CNY Regional Planning | Kathy Bertuch |
| NYS DEC Region 7 Forest Practice Board | Dick Fox |
| NYS DEC Region 7 Water Resources | Scott Cook |
| USDA Farm Service Agency | Jane Cabal |
| USDA NRCS | Bob Ingham |
Representatives from Waterbody Associations in Cayuga County (others may be added as from time to time express interest):
| Owasco Watershed Lake Association | Alan Kozlowski |
| Duck Lake | Dale Powell |
| Cayuga Lake Intermunicpal Organization | Sylvia Hurlbut |
Cayuga County Department of Planning and Development:
County Office Building, Fifth Floor
160 Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: 315-253-1276, Fax: 315-253-1499
E-mail: planning@co.cayuga.ny.us
The Cayuga County Department of Planning and Development is a department of county government. Among its functions are planning and advisory services to municipal government in land use and economic development.
Programs and Activities:
- Provides administrative assistance to the WQMA.
- Serves as a liaison between member agencies and organizations; Federal, State and Regional agencies; and public/private parties concerned with water quality issues and water resource management.
- Assists in the development and formulation of long and short-term plans.
- Identifies possible funding sources.
- Assists in the preparation of grant applications.
- Ensures compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) requirements.
- Administers the County's Finger Lakes - Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FL-LOWPA) Program and the monitoring and research funded by it.
- Maintains the County's Natural Resource Inventory.
- Sustains the County's Geographic Information System (GIS), which includes land use and wetland information and is used to perform environmental impact analyses.
- Reviews and comments on proposed development activities which may impact local waterbodies.
- Developed the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan in conjunction with many agencies and developing plans for smaller water bodies within the County.
County Office Building, Second Floor
160 Genesee Street
Auburn NY, 13021
Phone: 315-253-1405, Fax: 315-253-1156
The Health Department has some of the most important and complex responsibilities of the member agencies.
Programs and Activities:
- Statutory authority to enforce the Owasco Lake Watershed Rules and Regulations.
- Statutory authority to enforce the Cayuga County Sanitary Code.
- Assists in the planning, formulation, and implementation of water quality management projects and programs.
- Regulatory agency for the implementation of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act through the NYS Sanitary Code, Part 5. Activities include promoting and helping develop watershed rules and well head protection programs for protecting drinking water supplies, ensuring adequate treatment and quality monitoring of public water supplies, approval of new sources of water and maintaining a file on all public water systems.
- Regulates public bathing beaches in the County under the authority of the NYS Sanitary Code, Part 6.
- Participates in identifying funding sources, liaison activities, environmental impact assessments, research and monitoring and advisory functions.
Cayuga County Parks and Trails Commission:
Emerson Park
6914 East Lake Road
Auburn, New York 13021
Phone: 315-253-5611
Email: parks@co.cayuga.ny.us
The Cayuga County Park and Trails Commission's mission is to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Cayuga County by providing leisure, cultural, and educational services while preserving, conserving, and promoting our natural and physical resources.
Programs and Activities:
- Provides education regarding water quality issues at boat launch.
- Hosts United States Geological Survey water gauging station.
- Participates in efforts to alleviate beach bacteria problems.
- Offers meeting location for water quality organizations such as Owasco Lake Watershed Association.
7413 County House Road
Auburn, NY 13120
Phone: 315-252-4171, Fax: 315-252-1900
Email: cayugaswcd@ny.nacdnet.org
The Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was established in 1944 by resolution of the County Board of Supervisors, after the public indicated, through a series of public hearings, that a conservation district was needed to assist landowners and units of local government in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.
SWCD provides technical assistance to landowners and units of local government in planning and implementation of conservation practices that relate to soil and water resources.
The objective of the SWCD is to improve and protect the land, water, and related natural resources; to discourage potentially harmful land and water practices; and to develop and implement conservation programs which will enhance the natural resources in Cayuga County and New York State.
Mandates
The NYS Soil and Water Conservation District Law was amended in 1989 to declare the improvement of water quality to be a state policy along with the control and abatement of nonpoint sources of water pollution.
Local Authorization
On March 13, 1978 the Cayuga County SWCD was designated, through resolution by the County Legislature, the local planning, management, and implementing agency to protect the water resources of Cayuga County from the following sources of nonpoint source pollution: agriculture, construction, silvaculture, mining, stream and road bank soil erosion.
Programs and Activities
- Planning and technical assistance for managing soil, water, and related natural resources.
- Technical assistance on the implementation of Best Management Practices for water quality.
- Nutrient Management Program.
- Conservation Education; Regional, State, and National Envirothon; Conservation Field Days; Farmer of the Year, Conservationist of the Year.
- Administer Americorps Conservation Program: a hands-on youth program.
- FL-LOWPA Program: harvesting aquatic vegetation in several waterbodies in Cayuga County.
- Erosion, Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Program: technical assistance to landowners and municipalities on erosion/sediment control and stormwater management.
- Wastewater Management Program: survey, design, and inspect septic systems for homeowners.
- Cayuga County Flood Control Program: technical and financial assistance to landowners and municipalities on water quantity management; mitigation for flood damage.
- Review land development proposals for municipalities for potential environmental impacts.
- Develop and assist in Dry Hydrant Program: to assist Cayuga County Fire Districts in the evaluation, planning and installation of dry hydrant systems.
- Assist the County and City governments with Economic Development; planning and implementation.
- Voting member in the South Central New York Resource Conservation and Development Project.
- Developed the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan in conjunction with many agencies.
County Office Building, 5th Floor
160 Genesee Street
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: 315-253-1276, Fax: 315-253-1499
Programs and Activities:
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection programs.
- Clean Sweep programs.
- Recycling and composting education.
- Cooperative marketing of recyclable materials.
- Compiling annual and biannual recycling and solid waste management reports.
- Compile and track information on inactive solid waste facilities.
- Assist municipalities with solid waste issues, particularly related to recycling drop off sites.
248 Grant Avenue
Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: 315-255-1183
The mission of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County is to empower people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships that put research and experiential knowledge to work.
Water quality, conservation of natural resources and solid waste management are priority issues in Cayuga County. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County has responded by educating youth and adults to better their understanding of the link between personal choices and the effect that these choices have on the environment. It acts as an informational clearinghouse to the public and private sectors on. a myriad of environmentally related issues. Their ability to disseminate information, involve the general public in important issues, and provide the WQMA with feedback makes the Extension a vital part of the agency and to the development of a water quality management strategy.
Programs and Activities:
- Environmental and agricultural education and outreach for youth and adults.
- Integrated pest management.
- Hazardous waste collection events for homes, farms, schools, municipalities, and businesses.
- Water quality education programs including workshops on well maintenance, erosion control, aquatic invasive species, stream monitoring, etc.
- Residential and agricultural composting.
- Nutrient management.
- Conservation Field Days.
- Displays, newsletters, newspaper articles and other outreach methods on environmental and agricultural topics.
Cayuga County Association of Village:
While these agencies represent a number of different citizens throughout the County, there is a significant amount of coincidence, both in their constituent representation and their contributions to the WQMA. Though many of their concerns may vary from one locale to another, the focus of their effectiveness follows a similar course. Each of these agencies can provide the WQMA with input from local governments as to any new regulations or laws that might be proposed on a county or regional level. They can also bring to the attention of the agency members any local problems or suggestions that could result in better water quality. They have the ability to coordinate more closely with Town or Village highway departments pertaining to drainage or road salt policies. They can advise Town and Village planning boards of WQMA activities and subsequently provide the WOMA with essential feedback regarding the local response to proposed projects and programs relating to water quality issues.
City of Auburn:
The City of Auburn has an inherent interest in water quality management since it is the primary proprietor of the County's largest and important natural resource. Since Owasco Lake provides drinking water for the 35000 city residents and another 25000 in nearby towns and villages, the City is extremely interested to see that the water quality of the lake be maintained at the highest possible level. The City employs a full time watershed inspector who reports violations to the Health Department. The City is also responsible for the operation of the municipal water filtration plant and the sewage treatment plant.
Owasco Watershed Lake Association
P.O. Box #1, Auburn, NY 13021
24 hour Hotline: (315) 255-6360
Contact/Representative:
Alan Kozlowski - President
P. O. Box 1, Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 255-6360
E-mail: alkoz@baldcom.net
Website: WWW.OWLA.org
The Owasco Watershed Lake Association is a 501-C3 not-for-profit corporation, chartered for the furtherance of environmental management, preservation, wise use and appreciation of Owasco Lake and its watershed.
Programs and Activities:
- Promotes Public Education on watershed issues, through its web site, public displays and a newsletter published quarterly. Supports local and state government agencies in their efforts with public education covering watershed topics/issues.
- Has conducted a volunteer water quality monitoring program in cooperation with the City of Auburn, since 1993. Parameters monitored include Total and Fecal Coliform bacteria, Turbidity, Air and Water temperature and qualitative environmental observations. Approximately 20 sites are monitored June through September, each year.
- Administers a 24 hour-7 day/week Water Quality Problem Telephone Hotline for reporting issues on an anonymous basis in the Owasco Lake Watershed.
- Monitors various other water quality parameters as needed, through out the watershed.
- Works to identify, track and facilitate timely resolution of water quality issues in the Owasco Lake Watershed.
- Association members have been actively involved in the leadership and development of the Owasco Lake State of the Lake Report and Watershed Management Plan.
- Active member of the WQMA in Cayuga County.
P.O. Box 819
Port Byron, NY 13140
Contact/Representative:
Dale Powell
E-mail: ducklake56@netscape.net
Programs and Activities:
- Aquatic weed control including identification and removal.
- Conducting water sampling and has joined the CSLAP Program.
- Identifing lake level problems, mainly beaver dam issues.
- Investigating the removal of silt from man-made channels and determining if dredging is possible.
- Examining jet ski problems on the lake.
- Initiating a program to create awareness of the dangers of spreading unwanted weeds and zebra mussels as well as feeding ducks and geese.
65 East Main Street
Dryden, NY 13053
(607)844-8619
Contact/Representative:
Deb Grantham
E-mail: info@cayugawatershed.org
Website: www.cayugawatershed.org
The IO is a 32 member, municipal organization brought together to create, modify and implement a watershed management plan to allow local governments within the watershed to work together for the purposes of accessing dollars, cost savings, cost sharing, and efficiency of activities among municipalities. When completed the plan will prioritize water quality problems and solutions. As the primary coordinating mechanism and oversight body for the Cayuga Lake watershed management planning process, the IO facilitates effective communication and cooperation of local governments, agencies, and other stakeholders; it promotes understanding vital to maintaining and improving the ecological health and beauty of the Cayuga Lake watershed and sustaining a healthy social environment for the people of the Cayuga Lake Watershed. Through participation in the IO, watershed municipalities insure that the development and implementation of the Cayuga Lake Management Plan is locally driven and supported. Citizens participation is welcome on any of the IO's standing committees including the Technical Advisory Committee and the Education, Public Participation and Outreach Committee.
Programs and Activities:
- Oversee the development of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Preliminary Characterization report and Cayuga Lake Restoration and Protection Plan.
- Establish watershed priorities.
- Endorse funding requests for projects consistent with the priorities.
- Provide a forum for all municipalities within the watershed to interact and exchange information.
- Review technical reports.
- Promote public education on watershed issues through its website, newsletter, displays, public forums and workshops.
P.O. Box 3, Interlaken, NY 14847
(607) 532-4104
Contact/Representative:
Sharon Anderson, Watershed Steward
E-mail: steward@cayugalake.org
Website: www.cayugalake.org
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network was founded in 1998. The mission of the Network is to promote understanding of how to maintain and improve the ecological health, economic vitality, and overall beauty of the watershed. These goals are accomplished through programs that promote education, communication and leadership within the community. The Network encourages individual stewardship throughout the watershed by raising awareness of watershed concerns.. The Network works collaboratively with other organizations such as the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization, water quality coordinating committees, agency staff and other community-based groups such as subwatershed associations.
Programs and Activities:
- Training municipal officials in LEAPE, a program that provides water quality management options and easy access to GIS data.
- Workshops for citizens on erosion control.
- Annual planting of willows to stabilize stream banks.
- Well education.
- Support of Fall Creek Watershed Committee and annual creek clean up.
- Citizen monitoring.
- Alerting lake users of the threat of water chestnut.
- Quarterly newsletter.
- Displays and activities at public events such as Earth Day and Water Week.
Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board
126 N. Salina Street, Suite 200
Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 315-422-8276
Contact/Representative:
Kathleen Bertuch, Senior Planner
E-Mail: kbertuch@cnyrpdb.org
Website: CNYRPDB.org
The Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board (CNY RPDB) is a public agency established in 1966 (under State municipal law), and is supported by Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego Counties. CNYRPDB's goal is to study local public policy issues, and to help develop and implement plans that will enhance the future of the Central New York Region through four program areas: Economic Development; Water and Natural Resources Management; Land Use and Transportation; and Regional information Services.
CNYRPDB participates in a wide range of environmental issues in Central New York with a major focus in the area of water resources management. Designated as the regional water quality management planning agency for Central New York, the CNY RPDB provides ongoing assistance to localities on a variety of water resource issues. It also serves as the water resources program coordinator for numerous Statewide Coordination and Management activities on behalf of the New York State Association of Regional Councils (NYSARC) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
Programs and activities:
- Regional Strategy for Addressing Water Chestnut
- State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permit
- Regional Nonpoint Source Strategy Meetings
- Regional Floodplain and Stormwater Management Symposium
- National Flood Insurance Program Workshops
- Regional Water Quality Activities Inventory
- Water Quality Coordinating Committees
- Regional Cooperation & Collaboration
- Water Resources Education / Information / Outreach
- Lake and Watershed Management Planning
Prioritized Water Quality Problems:
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Division of Water Priority Water Problem (PWP) List was reviewed and updated by the WQMA in January 1996 (see appendix 1). Two waterbodies were added to the list, Little Salmon Creek and Big Salmon Creek. The nineteen waterbodies are listed in appendix 1, along with their respective priority rating as determined by the WQMA in 1996. Taken into account were the use of the waterbody/watershed as a source of drinking water, use as source of industrial/agricultural water, and recreational uses. They were then prioritized according to the extent that their designated uses have been impacted. This priority ranking will be examined and updated after the Statewide Waters Monitoring Program (SWMP) Rotating Intensive Basin Studies (RIBS) monitoring program of the Oswego/Finger Lakes Drainage Basin has completed its first five year program and watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) are developed.
Other water quality issues that will receive high priority include non?point source reduction efforts; groundwater, aquifer, and well?head protection; and increased monitoring activities to prevent any and all forms of water quality deterioration.
Watershed specific issues are generally in concert with the PWP list and it can be expected that efforts to protect and preserve water quality will reflect the severity of the impairment for the particular water body and its watershed. A watershed management plan is being developed for Owasco Lake.
Water Quality Management Agency Goals And Objectives
Public Information/Informing the Public
The WQMA provides community awareness programs that emphasize water resources, water quality issues and individual impacts on both. The WQMA is designed to facilitate the exchange of information between the policy makers and those affected prior to implementation. This approach has been adopted in order to enhance the likelihood for successful projects and programs relating to water quality. The interaction of the members allows for the greatest audience to review proposals and assess the viability of each on an individual basis with further communication between the constituencies the members represent and the other members to share ideas, provide reactions, potentially reach consensus and provide guidance to their respective groups.
Problem Assessment and Verification
The Cayuga County WQMA gives high priority to problem assessment, remediation, documentation, and verification of effectiveness. The WQMA continues to work to maintain a very high profile water quality management program through research and monitoring; interagency cooperation at both the local, regional and state level; encouraging and participating in public education efforts for all water quality issues; developing new programs that address specific problems; and aggressively pursuing the funding necessary to perform the work required and verify the effectiveness of the methodologies used. The WQMA will provide assistance and information to the NYSDEC during the SWMP RIBS process.
Addressing the Issues
The WQMA will address water quality issues to ensure that priority problem areas are adequately identified and assessed, so that significant efforts can be made to improve and protect the quality and quantity of Cayuga County's water resources. It will provide assistance and information to the NYSDEC during the SWMP RIBS program and focus on the watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) developed.
By using funds secured in the past through the Local Assistance Grant Program for Aquatic Vegetation Control (AVC) and most recently through the Finger Lakes - Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance (FL-LOWPA), the WQMA has been able to sustain a variety of water quality efforts under the auspices of the Cayuga County Health Department, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Department of Planning and Development. These efforts most recently included aquatic vegetation harvesting, septic system inspections and education, Owasco Lake inflow monitoring, and stormwater education.
Management studies were done for seven lakes in the county with one study concentrating entirely on Owasco Lake. Aquatic vegetation inventories were performed on the same lakes as well as the portions of Cayuga and Skaneateles lakes that are within the County's boundary. The inventories were performed approximately 12 years after the initial inventories to update the status of aquatic vegetation and assess the changes in the trophic states of the surface waterbodies in the County. All of the studies contain recommendations by the authors. One of the principal ways the WQMA expects to address watershed specific issues is to review these recommendations and conclusions and utilize the findings to develop comprehensive watershed plans that will meet the unique needs of each of these diverse ecosystems. For those lakes already with comprehensive watershed plans, the WQMA will monitor, implement, and seek funds to implement the recommendations of the plans.
The AVC and FL-LOWPA program have also been instrumental in funding stream monitoring and research; non?point infiltration studies; streambank stabilization; roadside seedings; a myriad of public education and informational activities; and subsidized the participation of five County lakes in the Citizen's Statewide Lake Assessment Program.
Using the WQMA for the exchange of ideas and information, policies and programs can be developed to address the problems that have already been identified while the ongoing communication will afford the best opportunities for successful implementation.
Addressing watershed specific issues will also require regional cooperation since the three Finger Lakes in the County also share watersheds with other counties, as does Cross Lake. The WQMA has determined that it is important to begin to explore and investigate feasibility of addressing problems associated with these water bodies as sub-basin hydrological systems. Unit systems such as these will be even more complex and demand extensive interagency cooperation transcending political boundaries.
Political boundaries also exist within the County. Watershed and groundwater boundaries overlap with towns and villages as well as other counties, so addressing countywide problems will follow similar methods with some different players involved. There may be greater interaction from town and village officials, riparian landowners, developers, contractors, environmental groups and interested individuals. All of this will provide a tremendous challenge to all involved and a real sense of accomplishment for their successes. The dedication, the desire, the drive, the concepts, the technology, and the opportunities are evident. The single largest challenge facing everyone involved in developing and implementing a water quality strategy of any magnitude and scope is the procuring the funds that are absolutely necessary to perform the work that is absolutely essential to the water resources of our region.
Strategy Evaluation
The strategy will be evaluated annually through the compilation of the Year End Report to review the progress of the member agencies toward accomplishing agreed upon actions. Deficiencies in the progress due to lack of funds for material and/or personnel will be discussed and incorporated in the annual report to the Legislative Oversight Committee. Water quality data that is collected as an on-going part of the WQMA work plan will be reviewed on an annual basis to determine overall trends in water quality which is the ultimate measure of the work of this agency.
The WQMA will also update the Cayuga County Water Quality Strategy as needed.
List of Work Tasks for Achieving the Objectives:
- Statewide Waters Monitoring Progarm Rotating Intensive Basin Studies
Provide information and assistance to the NYSDEC. Focus on the watershed restoration and protection strategies (WRAPS) developed.
- Watershed Management Plans
Monitor, implement and seek funds to implement recommendations from the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Plan, the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. Focus on the priorities determined in these lake plans.
- Develop Watershed Management Plans
Seek funding and grant money to conduct state of the lake reports and develop watershed management plans for all the waterbodies in Cayuga County.
- Groundwater Protection
Determine where vulnerable groundwater is located in Cayuga County and how to protect it. Includes defining where groundwater is, where fractures are and what threats exist to it.
- Continuation of FL-LOWPA Program
Work elements of the 2002-2003 FL-LOWPA program include:
Funding will be sought to continue those elements that are of an ongoing nature as well as others that may be proposed for next years programs. The FL-LOWPA program is funded annually by the DEC. It is important to note that these funds only represent a portion that may be spent on a given task and are at best supplementary funds though greatly appreciated. The WQMA will review the proposals of its members who wish to submit a work program for funding under the FL-LOWPA program. The WQMA will develop a narrative and budgets for each approved work element and the entire package will then be reviewed by the Water Resources Board of the Finger Lakes prior to being submitted to DEC for approval and hopefully appropriation. This process occurs annually and involves all members of the WQMA.Work Program Agency Current Funding Harvesting Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District $46,812 Monitoring Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, Owasco Watershed Lake Association, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and Duck Lake Association $ 24,876 Septic Inspections and Education Health Department $ 21,608 Stormwater Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development $ 3,000
Role of the WQMA in Implementing the Strategy
The Cayuga County WQMA will be the lead agency and the driving force for implementing any of the elements of the strategy. The WQMA will designate which member agencies will participate in what programs. The WQMA will be responsible for distribution of information to the members and for responding to comments from the representatives constituents. The WQMA will take the lead in formulating and implementing policies after a review process. Furthermore, the WQMA will require that any policies or guidelines that are established be monitored by the member agencies and yearly assessments of efficacy be prepared if necessary.
The WQMA will aggressively seek funding sources to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in this strategy. Members will be encouraged to be alert to any potential funding sources which may benefit water quality efforts in the County.
Finally, the WQMA will have oversight authority regarding all aspects of the strategy and continue to promote and foster cooperative water quality management techniques.
Appendix 1
Home WQMA Information WQMA Members WQMA Meetings WQMA By-Laws
Water Quality Strategy WQMA Work Plan WQMA Projects Cayuga County Sanitary Code
Owasco Watershed Rules and Regulations Lake Issues Information on County Waterbodies
Ways You Can Help Events Maps Links Contact Information
Updated: April 19, 2011