Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday, July 20, 2017

4:00 p.m. at BWB Building, Jamestown

 

Directors Present: Jim Andrews, Linda Barber, Pierre Chagnon, Vince Horrigan, Ken Shearer, Dave Shepherd, and Dave Wesp.

 

Absent: Sally Carlson and Dave Spann.

 

Others in Attendance: Erin Brickley – Alliance Executive Director and Randall Perry – Alliance Project Manager. June Diethrick – Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Jan Bowman – JCC Environmental Sciences & Biology Professor.  Tom Geisler.

 

Member Representatives in Attendance: Karen Rine – South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District, John Jablonski – Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC), Cassie Brower – Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District, Jim & Debbie Wehrfritz & Jim Cirbus – Chautauqua Lake Partnership (CLP), Doug Conroe – Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA), John Shedd – Chautauqua Institution, Gifford Lawrence – Village of Bemus Point and Marla Connelly – NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – Allegany Region.

 

Scientific Review & Advisory Committee Members in Attendance: Jane Conroe, Twan Leenders, Becky Nystrom, Tom Erlandson & Courtney Wigdahl-Perry.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I. Call to Order:

Mr. Chagnon called the meeting of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance (Alliance) to order at 4:04 pm.  It was noted for the record that there was a quorum (7 of 9) present.

II.  Approval of Minutes:

Mr. Shearer made a motion to accept the minutes of the 6/15/17 Board Meeting, seconded by Ms. Barber. The motion was approved unanimously.

III. Update on Current Alliance/Member Projects:

Mr. Perry gave an update on the status of the nine funded Alliance/Member projects in process:

Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grants (six in total):

• Implementation status:

• • CWC education/outreach event 7/18/17
  • Dutch Hollow Creek & West Dutch Hollow Creek: Survey, initial field assessments, and preliminary design complete (Bergmann Associates)

• • • 50% design and preliminary permitting in progress
    • Target Construction: Summer/Fall 2018

• • Ball Creek & Goose Creek: Final design & bid specs in progress (EcoStrategies)
    • Permitting complete (by Soil & Water)
    • County-issued construction bid in preparation
    • Target Construction: Summer/Fall 2017
    • Ball Creek site preparation/planting (invasive species mgmt.) coordination with CWC in progress
  • Bemus Creek: Soil & Water-issued construction bid OPEN (due 7/31)
    • Target Construction Completion: Summer/Fall 2017
  • Prendergast Creek: inspection and maintenance Summer 2017
• Accounting/Reporting/Subcontracts:
  • Modification requests for certain projects in progress with NYSDEC
  • Outstanding County subcontracts in progress or awaiting bid results
  • M/WBE reports submitted 7/5; Narrative/Financial Quarterly Reports due end-July
  • Invoice processing and NYS reimbursement requests ongoing

Invasive Species Management Grant (Senator Young $50K local assistance grant via County pass-through):

• Coordination among Alliance and implementing partners in progress
• Final Alliance subcontracts with RTPI (signed) & Audubon (pending)
• Draft Alliance subcontract in progress with CLA
• Equipment purchase pending

Celoron LWRP grants (2013/2016):

• Biannual status report & EEO (2013 grant) submitted early July
• Village/Engineer contract amendment executed late June
• Budget modifications confirmed with NYS DOS
• Re-design in progress by project engineer
• Target construction bid ca. August/September 2017
• Village-NYS contract for 2016 LWRP grant in progress

Lakewood/Busti Stormwater Management Engineering Study (DEC/EFC Engineering Planning Grant):

• Final contract negotiations in progress with engineer
• EFC grant agreement with Village to follow execution of engineering contract
• Target engineering start: Summer 2017
• Local match in place (County; Busti); facilitated advance payments to Village to help with upfront costs

 

Mr. Perry highlighted the public education event facilitated by CWC conservationist Jennifer Russo on 7/18 and the corresponding Post Journal article. He also wanted to make sure to publicly thank Town of North Harmony Highway Superintendent Dan Strickland, for his assistance on clearing the Ball Creek project site recently.  Mr. Perry reminded those in attendance of the upcoming Lawson Center event on 7/26/17 at 6:30 related to the science and natural history of Chautauqua Lake as well as the upcoming Chautauqua Lake Rally on 8/19/17 at 9a.m. at the Bemus Point Casino.

 

IV.  Meeting with Alliance Executive Committee, Foundations & County:

Mr. Chagnon reminded the group that a roundtable meeting between representatives of local foundations, the Alliance executive committee and the County Executive was held just prior to the June board meeting, followed by a board work session for continued discussion.  The focus of the roundtable was to discuss expectations of the Alliance now that we have established ourselves over the last two years and have created a firm footing in the community, especially as it relates to an implementation strategy for the two primary guidance documents, the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Chautauqua Lake Macrophyte Management Strategy.  In consensus, the foundations and the county discussed and voiced their desire for the Alliance to play a larger role and were eager to see this organization grow and become a central organization that could help them with their funding determinations regarding Chautauqua Lake and watershed investments.  During the board work session, it was determined that it would be best to bring in an independent consultant to facilitate the creation of a 5 year strategic plan for prioritization and implementation of both watershed related and in-lake related projects.  Mr. Chagnon stated that as envisioned, the first phase of drafting such a strategic plan would be to heavily involve the Alliance Science Committee and our member organizations as key stakeholders in open forum and discussions so that various voices would be represented.  The foundations will support the costs of an independent consultant but the Alliance would take the lead on issuing an RFP and identifying a qualified consultant.  Ms. Barber said in summary, the consultant will be using all relevant guidance documents and community input to establish a 5 year implementation / strategic plan.  Mr. Horrigan commented that over the last year there have been new players and actions in the lake and that it has become increasingly difficult for the foundations, municipalities, county and others to wade through all the voices and stay fully informed and up to date.  He stated that we need an objective organization and the Alliance has reached a fork in the road and is ready to grow into this next phase.  To that end, Mr. Horrigan advised that there was a pending county funding request in process.  Mr. Chagnon stated that the Alliance current staff of two both hold Masters of Science degrees, have the requisite knowledge, and RFP experience to move forward on this as envisioned.  Mr. Geisler commented that the optics of this may not be good as many are not in support of more studies.  Both Mr. Chagnon and Mr. Shepherd clarified that this is not a study but rather an effort to integrate priorities in separate watershed and in-lake guidance documents and assign an implementation timeframe to those priorities.  Mr. Wesp commented that there is no silver bullet solution to lake management and that it involves multi-faceted approaches, sort of like being the hub on a wagon wheel with radiating approaches from the center and a consultant can help bring that picture together.  Ms. Barber noted that she could understand the foundations viewpoint, that with limited resources, we need to be efficient with maximum impact with our local allocations of funding.  Mr. Shepherd made a motion to seek a qualified consultant to engage and facilitate a 5 year strategic plan, seconded by Ms. Barber.  The motion passed unanimously.

 V. Science Committee Update:

Mr. Chagnon advised the group that the Science Committee had sent a written letter that was disseminated to the Board via email prior to today’s meeting along with a summary document highlighting their recommendations for prioritizing short and long term project types.  He commented that a concern stated in the letter was addressed by the motion just made to seek a qualified consultant to facilitate a 5 year strategic plan whereby the Science Committee would be a major participant.  The letter offered and Mr. Shepherd concurred that the board should meet with the science committee in the near future.  Attached to these minutes is the short term and long term goal report submitted by the Science Committee to the Alliance Board for consideration.

VI. Approve Alliance Foundation Match Funds for 2017 CFA Member Grant Applications:

Ms. Brickley reviewed scope of work, project partners and projected budgets on two 2017 Member CFA submissions in need of match assistance:

• Mayville – Chautauqua Stormwater Management Engineering Study
  • Scope of Work Summary: This project involves studying stormwater infrastructure in several sub-watersheds located within the borders of both the Village of Mayville and the Town of Chautauqua that drain into Chautauqua Lake. This project will inventory current stormwater infrastructure and identify any concerns from a two-fold approach. Assessments will focus on inadequate quantity/capacity structures as well as water quality by identifying nutrient-rich runoff ‘hotspots’ entering the lake. The study will then identify and evaluate solutions to capacity and pollutant problems, with a focus on green infrastructure resolution.
  • Project Partners, Budget & Anticipated Funding Sources:

EPG Grant	$100,000
Village of Mayville	$5,000
Town of Chautauqua	$5,000
Alliance/County Match Fund	$12,650
Alliance/Foundation Match Fund	$12,650
Total Project Costs:	$135,300

 

• Lucille Ball Memorial Park – Low Impact Development.
  • Scope of Work Summary: This project specifically involves low impact improvements to the Lucille Ball Memorial Park (Park) and includes the mitigation of drainage issues in portions of the park, a need for a vegetated shoreline buffer, and increased walkways via permeable pavement for ease of recreational access in the eastern portion of the Park.
  • Project Partners, Budget & Anticipated Funding Sources:

GIGP Grant Request	$57,800
Village of Celoron (In-Kind)	$1,600
Alliance/Foundation Match Fund	$5,000
Total Project Costs:	$64,400

 

Mr. Shepherd inquired about the balance of the Alliance / Foundation Match Fund. Ms. Brickley advised of $152,250 available and if the board approves the above commitment, a total of $17,650 would be put on hold pending CFA award announcements in December, leaving an available balance of $134,600.  If the grant requests are successful the funds on hold will be dispersed and if they are not successful the hold will be released and those dollars become available again for future member grant match needs.

Mr. Shepherd made a motion to approve the two noted match requests, seconded by Ms. Barber. Mr. Shearer abstained but all others approved and the motion carried.

VII. Update from Chautauqua Lake Partnership on Recent Herbicide Application in Bemus Bay:

Mr. Wehrfritz reported from an annotated version of a July 8^th Post Journal article authored by the CLP.  He advised that herbicides were permitted by DEC and application was done by SOLitude Lake Management on June 26, 2017 to approximately 30 acres of the Bemus Bay.  Most water use restrictions were lifted the day after treatment (June 27) with remaining restrictions lifted July 13.  Post-treatment water testing was completed July 11 and all results were below irrigation and drinking water standards.  A post-treatment weed survey was completed July 20 with results expected in 2 to 4 weeks. In addition to the herbicide demonstration project, the CLP has moved forward on its shoreline clean-up demonstration project concurrently with the herbicides.  Transport barge, offloading interface testing and manual shoreline operations in Bemus Bay began July 17 and an anticipated two week near-shore equipment demonstration of a HydroRake is set to begin July 24.  Mr. Wehrfritz said the DEC is aware of the equipment demonstration and no permit was needed as it will not be disturbing the lake bottom.  He noted that CLA already has this type of equipment but uses it for small dredging projects which do need permits.  Their goals are to find a less manual labor, more mechanized process for near-shore and shoreline clean-up.

Mr. Horrigan inquired if the permit applicants, the Village of Bemus Point and Town of Ellery would be the ones to own the data produced from this effort and Mr. Wehrfritz confirmed. Mr. Horrigan asked that any post-treatment report be shared with the County.  Mr. Chagnon asked what the end result goals were for the weed management demonstrations.  Mr. Wehrfritz stated that he was not sure that the Village/Town and/or the DEC would issue a report but that CLP will summarize any conclusions.  He stated that the data may be used for future permitting and whether a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) would be needed is unclear at this time.

VIII. Update from the Chautauqua Lake Association:

Mr. Conroe gave updates on multiple fronts: the CLA has 3 crews running located in north, center, and south sections of the lake doing mechanical harvesting and near-shore clean-up; they have converted an old harvester by removing the teeth to test increasing efficiencies for shore-line clean-up and its seems to be working very well; Racine-Johnson aquatic ecologists have been out a couple of times so far for their annual survey work; the CLA continues their CSLAP water quality sampling and HABs monitoring and have noted several small blooms thus far; the Watercraft Steward Program is up and running for its second year; observations show strong growth of milfoil this year but seeing it knocked back by weevils lake-wide with the exception of area near the NCLSD treatment plant; this year has been excellent for fishing and we cannot discount tourism related to our top-rated fisheries, especially for bass and muskie.

Mr. Chagnon commented that last fall was a tough time due to drought and other factors and inquired if there has been a similar pattern this year.  Mr. Conroe stated that there was heavy and advanced weed growth this year.  He said though that Curly Leaf Pond Weed is always heavy in May and June and then naturally dies off prior to the peak recreation season.

IX. Open Floor / Member Updates:

Mr. Chagnon opened the floor to any Member updates or upcoming events and/or comments from the general public in attendance:

• Mr. Geisler wanted people to know that a website, Citizens Against Government Waste, recently claimed that $9 million spent on aquatic plant control projects was wasteful. He commented that funding for aquatic plant control is not wasteful and often beneficial and folks should let their politicians know that these are dollars well spent.
• Mr. Jablonski advised that the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC) will be holding their annual meeting and dinner on August 6^th at Webb’s and all are cordially invited to attend. He also commented that CWC continues to focus in on new conservation acres through acquisition and mentioned adding to their Goose Creek preserve and Cheney Point.
• Mr. Shedd, attending on behalf of Chautauqua Institution, wanted to share that they are very focused on healthy lake conditions and have taken great strides including stormwater studies, rain gardens, regular water quality testing on the grounds and more. He stated that a priority area for them is their drinking water intake as Chautauqua Lake is their drinking water source on the grounds. As this priority relates to the recent herbicide application in Bemus Bay, they are trying to gather as much information and data as possible to assess the situation but are not taking a stand for or against herbicides at this time.
• Dr. Wigdahl-Perry from SUNY Fredonia gave an update on her data collecting lake buoy which was briefly deployed for the first time last year. The name for this project has been deemed ChAMP for Chautauqua Aquatic Monitoring Project. The buoy collects measurements every 15 minutes for multiple water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, algal growth, etc.). This year, the buoy has been deployed for the full season for the first time. Ultimately, these data will be shared with groups around the lake to complement existing sampling efforts. Dr. Wigdahl-Perry advised that her goal is to get certain summary data onto a publicly accessible website but that is still being worked on for now. If anyone has any questions related to the ChAMP buoy they can reach her via email.
• Professor Jan Bowman from JCC attended the June Alliance Board meeting to advise that based on the recent controversies over the CLP efforts for herbicide in Bemus Bay, she and some students went out to take some baseline plant samples in Bemus Bay on May 30^th, the results of which are in the June meeting minutes. Professor Bowman advised the group that she and her students went our three weeks later and the changes were substantial. What follows is from a written report dated June 24^th, as the update she planned to give at this meeting was cut short due to other discussions. Bemus Bay was again visited by our research team on June 20, 2017. In a short three weeks, the macrophyte composition and abundance, as well as the plankton composition, has changed dramatically. Weed harvesting has obviously occurred, and the two most abundant macrophytes observed on May 30^th have greatly declined. The Potamogeton crispus is now dying back as is expected at this point in the season, and Myriophyllum spicatum was not observed in the first six rake tosses conducted. The following three rake tosses produced a little of this macrophyte, but it has significantly declined, likely due to harvesting efforts by the CLA.  The most abundant plant is Potamogeton hillii; however, the same six species noted on May 30^th were all present on June 20^th. The water is easy to navigate by boat. The plankton have also changed considerably. I see little to no evidence of the diatoms noted three weeks ago, and the samples largely contain Anabaena, Microcystis, and Aphanizomenon, all toxin-producing cyanobacteria. Total phosphorus levels are still high, turbidity has increased, and the zooplankton abundance and diversity is notably less. I independently visited Bemus Bay again today, June 24, 2017. The conditions are as they were observed on June 20^th.  There is, from my assessment, no need for herbicide treatment in Bemus Bay at this time. The macrophyte composition is no longer what it was when SOLitude performed its sampling.

 

X. Adjourn:

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

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CHAUTAUQUA LAKE AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE

Scientific Committee

Recommendations for Short/Long Term Goals

 

The mission of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance is to work in collaboration with lake and watershed-related organizations, municipalities and other stakeholders, to promote and facilitate implementation of recommendations from the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Chautauqua Lake Macrophyte Management Strategy by prioritizing projects, securing funding and allocating resources. The purpose of the Scientific Committee is to provide technical guidance to the Board of Directors and Executive Director in fulfilling this mission.

 

Overarching goal: Focus on a whole watershed conservation framework that takes into account adaptive management ideas to track, and learn from, past and future projects (biological and physical) to incorporate into management decisions.

 

Short Term

1. Research – consistent and standardized data on the overall ecology and function of Chautauqua Lake can aid in management decisions by member organizations
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Zooplankton populations
      2. Phosphorus translocation by macrophytes
      3. Paleolimnological study
      4. Algae dynamics and water quality
      5. LiDAR data to facilitate watershed management decisions
      6. Algae-macrophyte interactions
      7. Real time water quality data and biological monitoring in lake and tributaries
2. Education – outreach to local stakeholders, landowners and the agricultural community concurrent with ongoing efforts by member organizations
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Choose a topic per year and produce a significant educational campaign
      2. Develop locally relevant watershed curriculum for incorporation into area schools and outreach to adult stakeholders
      3. Establish participation in Lake Observer app
3. Planning – coordinate with member organizations (stakeholder groups and municipalities) to facilitate water quality-based management consistent across the watershed
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Create an incentives program to encourage best management practices (ie- buffers along the lake shore, reduction of vertical shorelines)
      2. Pre- and post- treatment on-site review of management efforts (adaptive management)
      3. Develop a centralized, GIS-based, open access format for relevant information
      4. Review and assess effectiveness of local laws developed to address water quality issues related to site plan review, flooding, stormwater and erosion control
4. Installation – on-the-ground projects to support water quality issues in the watershed and the health of Chautauqua Lake including previously implemented projects that can be assessed to be utilized in the adaptive management approach
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Ditch rock/block and fabric to reduce erosion in steep slope ditches
      2. Upgrades of the wastewater treatment plants and the extension to non-sewered areas

Long Term

1. Research – consistent and standardized data on the overall ecology and function of Chautauqua Lake can aid in management decisions by member organizations
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Comprehensive study of zooplankton populations
      2. Bacterial, phosphorus and nitrogen study on select tributaries
      3. Sediment and nutrient study of Mud Creek
      4. Climate change (lake responses, community mitigation/adaptability)
      5. Biogeochemistry of Chautauqua Lake
      6. Continue funding for on-going scientific monitoring (ie – USGS water-level gages, weather and atmospheric deposition stations, CSLAP, Racine-Johnson Aquatic Ecologists, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry chemistry analysis, SUNY Fredonia research project, ChAMP Buoy
2. Planning – coordinate with member organizations (stakeholder groups and municipalities) to facilitate water quality-based management consistent across the watershed
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Local zoning changes to address shorelines, flood prevention (floodplain development) and green infrastructure
      2. Develop and implement a riparian buffer requirement/program
      3. Develop a funding mechanism for conservation properties
      4. Whole watershed conservation framework
3. Education – outreach to local stakeholders, landowners and the agricultural community concurrent with ongoing efforts by member organizations
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Continue the technical services offered by the Soil and Water Conservation District to homeowners, municipalities and agricultural producers
      2. Continue to unite stakeholder groups and landowners on improving the health of Chautauqua Lake
      3. Continue support of invasive species monitoring and the Boat Stewards Program on Chautauqua Lake
4. Installation – on-the-ground projects to support water quality issues in the watershed and the health of Chautauqua Lake including previously implemented projects that can be assessed to be utilized in the adaptive management approach
   1. Identified areas of interest by the committee that can be pursued:
      1. Continue funding dedicated to macrophyte management consistent with the MMS and Management Plan
      2. Develop additional shoreline clean up techniques