If you have questions, please send them to SLPWA@senecalake.org

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association is REVITALIZED !

Chairman's Message from Richard Ahola

As I contemplate the activities for Seneca Lake Pure Waters over the last few months I am impressed with the range and detail of efforts by the interim board. From attendance at the Seneca Lake Area Partners (SLAP 5) spring meeting to monthly meetings usually held on the second Wednesday of the month at the Finger Lakes Institute at 7 p.m. Please feel free to contact me at 607-243-5116 or rahola@stny.rr.com for the exact date, time and place for any given month. You are welcome at your board meetings.

At the SLAP5 meeting I learned of the potential of pilot grants of the or-ganization to fund testing for phosphates at waste water plants discharging effluent into the Seneca Lake water shed. SLAP 5 is an organization of five counties and their municipalities that surround Seneca Lake. As a member organization and official partner, SLPWA share many concerns related to the quality of Seneca Lake as a water source, development around the lake and recreational opportunities of the lake and its municipalities.

Members of SLPWA have attended water quality meetings sponsored by Ontario County and I will serve on a fish kill contingency planning committee chaired by Finger Lakes Institute Director Marion Balyscak.

I sent a letter to DEC Commissioner Grannis about my reservations about water and water pollution related to hydrofracture drilling for natural gas. Other members are monitoring the operation of waste treatment plants in the water shed. Low lake levels have been discussed in our meetings and remain a concern for the future.

Our newsletter is an unqualified success and we continue efforts to restart our website. More will follow on all fronts. Meanwhile, enjoy the lake during the spring and participate in activities on and around the lake including the National Lake Trout Derby held Memorial Day weekend.