September 2022 Minutes

Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance

Minutes of the Board of Directors – Public Meeting

Thursday, September 8, 2022 at 4:30 PM ET at The Lawson Center, 73 Lakeside Drive, Bemus Point, NY 14712 & via Zoom

Directors Present: Bruce Erickson (via Zoom), Paul Wendel, Jr., Mike LaTone (via Zoom), David Shepherd, Janis Bowman (via Zoom), Don Emhardt, Martin Proctor, Jim Andrews and Ellen Barnes

Staff in Attendance: Randall Perry – Alliance Executive Director, Taylor West – Alliance Project Manager, and Jay Young – Communications Coordinator

Others in Attendance: Linda Swanson – Sheldon Foundation; Craig Butler; Doug Champ; John Ford; Vince Horrigan; Mike Newell; Peggy Newell; Tim Frudd; Dave Dudash; Karen Rine; Paul Stage

Member Representatives in Attendance: Jim Wehrfritz, Thomas Goodell – Town of Ellery; Becky Nystrom (via Zoom), Whitney Gleason, Twan Leenders, Jeanne Wiebenga (via Zoom) – Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy; Doug Conroe, Debbie Moore and Rudy Mueller (via Zoom) – Chautauqua Lake Association; Dave McCoy– County of Chautauqua; Jim Cirbus – Chautauqua Lake Partnership; Louise Ortman – Town of North Harmony

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I. Call to Order

D. Emhardt called the Board Meeting of the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance (Alliance) to order at 4:30 PM. A quorum of 9 out of 9 Alliance Board Members were present at the start of the meeting.

II. Approval of 8/11/2022 Board Work Session Minutes

E. Barnes made a motion to accept the minutes from the 8/11/2022 Board Meeting. The motion was seconded by M. Proctor and was approved unanimously.

III. Projects Update

T. West gave the following projects update:

2018-2022 Invasive Species Early Detection – Volunteer Task Force
- Water Chestnut (>200 plants) found/removed in Chautauqua Lake Outlet in June-July 2022
  - Collaborative efforts among CWC, ACNC, Alliance, WNY PRISM, and Volunteers
- Starry Stonewort found in Chautauqua Lake near Ashville Bay Marina and Prendergast Point in August 2022.
  - This species of macro-algae has been found in Chautauqua Lake since around 2009.
  - CWC’s 2022 surveys have documented at least 7.25 acres of Starry Stonewort across two areas of the lake (Ashville Bay Marina and Prendergast Point) – see map below
- 2022 Program Schedule – https://chautauquawatershed.org/aquatic-invasive-species-surveys/
- Contact the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC) to get involved
- To help observe/report on your own, please sign up for iMapInvasives: www.imapinvasives.org/

2018 Busti Precision Swales Stabilization (NYSDEC WQIP)
- Grant closeout underway

2021 Village of Lakewood Grandview Stormwater Management Project (NYSDEC WQIP)
- Project aims to create a series of pocket wetland structures to capture and treat ~100,000 cubic feet stormwater from the Grandview subdivision with the goal of reducing flooding along Rte. 394 and sediment and nutrient loading in Chautauqua Lake. A trail is planned for around the project providing an educational and recreational opportunity for the public
- Engineering underway by EcoStrategies

2021 Town of North Harmony Ball Creek Stabilization Project (NYSDEC WQIP)
- Project aims to stabilize ~440 linear feet of streambank along Ball Creek in the Town of North Harmony to reduce sediment and nutrient loading in Chautauqua Lake
- Stow Road Bend (~120ft) Largely Completed 7/8/22 (photos below) – Riparian area planting in progress by CWC and Royal Fern Nursery
- Engineering on Tri-James Bend underway by EcoStrategies

2021 Town of Chautauqua Roadside Swales Stabilization Project (NYSDEC WQIP)
- Project aims to stabilize ~16,000 linear feet of swales within the Town of Chautauqua to reduce sediment and nutrient loading in Chautauqua Lake.
- Contract execution with NYS underway
List of Alliance-partnered NYS grants that have been closed out:
- 2015 NYS Invasive Species Management Grant (C. Young Senate Initiative), closed ca. Apr 2019
- 2016 Lakewood-Busti Stormwater Mgmt. Engineering Study (DEC/EFC EPG), closed ca. Jan 2019
- 2013 Celoron Breakwall & Boardwalk LWRP Phase I Grant, closed ca. Sep 2018
- 2016 Celoron Breakwall & Boardwalk LWRP Phase II-III Grant, closed ca. Aug 2019
- 2017 Mayville-Chautauqua Stormwater Mgmt. Engineering Study (DEC/EFC EPG), closed ca. Feb 2020
- 2015 County Round 12 WQIP Streambank Stabilization Projects at Ball, Bemus, Goose, Prendergast, Dutch Hollow (Phase 1 & 2), and West Dutch Hollow Creeks, closed ca. April 2022
- 2017 Celoron Park Improvement (Amenities Building) LWRP Phase IV Grant, closed ca. Mar 2021
- 2018 Lakewood Chautauqua Avenue Green Street Retrofit (NYSEFC GIGP), closed ca. Jan 2022
- 2018 County Round 15 Skimming Capital Equipment (NYSDEC WQIP), closed ca. Apr 2022

IV. 2022 Alliance Local Grants

a.) Remaining unallocated funds

R. Perry offered a summary of Alliance Local Grants for 2022. R. Perry indicated that the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, The Lenna Foundation, and the Sheldon Foundation generously provided funding for the 2022 Consolidated Local Funding Program. R. Perry indicated that following the first round of awards, additional funding was also provided by the Holmberg Foundation and the Hultquist Foundation. R. Perry indicated that Chautauqua County also provided funding for the program via its Occupancy Tax Program and thanked all those who had provided funding and thanked the Members who have implemented projects. R. Perry indicated that the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy (CWC) has implemented its Chautauqua Lake Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Volunteer Taskforce program, and that invasive species early detection work has also been performed by the Audubon Community Nature Center. R. Perry indicated that CWC also runs a Watershed Technical Assistance and Stormwater Management Program. R. Perry indicated that the Chautauqua Lake Partnership (CLP) has worked with the Town of Ellery, Village of Celoron, Village of Bemus Point, Town of Busti, Village of Lakewood, and Town of Ellicott to perform herbicide treatments. R. Perry indicated that treatments were performed in May for approximately 100 acres of curly-leaf pondweed, and in June for approximately 369 acres of Eurasian watermilfoil. R. Perry indicated that CLP also partnered with North Carolina State University to perform plant surveys and has continued its nutrient monitoring program. R. Perry indicated that the Town of Chautauqua has run its Mobitrac program in joint operations with the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA). R. Perry indicated that CLA began its season with debris cleanup in May, which was followed by early-season curly-leaf pondweed harvesting, and the subsequent regular season management. R. Perry indicated that CLA has also has watercraft stewards positioned at public launches around the lake to combat invasive species. R. Perry thanked all parties involved for helping to complete these projects.

R. Perry indicated that there are remaining unallocated funds that the Board may choose to direct to late-season needs.

P. Wendel indicated that meetings with stakeholders had been held the previous weekend to discuss end-of-season maintenance needs and unallocated funds. P. Wendel asked if the proposed $76,000 of unallocated funds were to be used for cleanup of the South Basin. P. Wendel asked D. McCoy if he had received an estimate of the South Basin cleanup costs.

D. McCoy indicated it was difficult to produce an estimate because the scope of work and the equipment needs were unknown. D. McCoy indicated that the Town of Ellicott had made a verbal commitment to aid in the cleanup. D. McCoy indicated that if the cleanup from 2019 was replicated the cost may be approximately $80,000, including in-kind services.

J. Wehrfritz asked if D. McCoy was referring to the 2019 fish-kill cleanup in Burtis Bay.

D. McCoy indicated that was correct, and indicated that the Bay does not appear to be in need of as much cleanup this year.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that some residents of Burtis Bay may disagree with that position.

D. Conroe indicated that the CLA Board met recently, and that a crew is being put together for late-season cleanup. D. Conroe indicated that scope of work and costs for the cleanup are still being determined.

E. Barnes asked if D. Conroe has surveyed the area to get an understanding of the scope of work.

D. Conroe indicated that he and staff had viewed the area recently, and that the cleanup is anticipated to take 3-4 weeks using two crews.

M. LaTone indicated that he was of the understanding from Saturday’s meeting that CLA would be providing several estimates for scenarios where CLA performed the cleanup and where they rented out necessary equipment and potentially operators. M. LaTone indicated that he supported using the CLP’s unspent $21,000 in Alliance grant funds (for the CLP sensor program) towards the cleanup. M. LaTone asked if donating the funds to the Mobitrac program for cleanup would be helpful.

D. Emhardt indicated that moving that money through the Town’s municipal budget would be difficult and advised against proceeding with that option.

M. LaTone made a motion to transfer the unused CLP grant funds of $21,074 to support the fall lake cleanup. Discussion followed.

D. Moore indicated that it was the understanding of CLA Board members that funding information would be provided at this meeting, and that CLA staff would work with D. McCoy to implement the cleanup plan. D. Moore offered context on CLA budgetary concerns and cost estimates of the cleanup.

E. Barnes asked if the funds would be used for the South Basin cleanup or a budgetary shortfall. E. Barnes indicated that it is very important that the cleanup get done.

D. Moore indicated that CLA is attempting to do this work any way that it can, and that the organization has essentially spent $48,000 ahead of its planned expenses. D. Moore indicated that expected sources of municipal revenue have yet to come in for the year. D. Moore indicated that CLA is not looking for this money to cover a deficit, and that the organization believes it is close to being able to produce the South Basin cleanup work. D. Moore indicated that a lot of work has been done recently to determine the scale of need and how the work can be performed.

D. Conroe indicated that CLA plans to support the Mobitrac operation with two harvester/skimmers, a transport, and a dump truck.

J. Cirbus indicated that he was of the understanding that there are 12 volunteers prepared to help with the effort. J. Cirbus indicated he did not believe that the cleanup was going to be this costly. J. Cirbus indicated he thought CLA was going to donate barges for the effort, and indicated that CLP has barges that could be donated and used. J. Cirbus indicated that he had met with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials yesterday to view the conditions. J. Cirbus indicated that high levels of plant growth were not observed, and that cleanup around the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel was expected to take one or two days using Mobitracs. J. Cirbus indicated that the Village of Celoron was prepared to offer assistance, and asked why CLA might be allocated such a large sum of funds for the work while others were donating assistance.

D. Emhardt indicated that operation of two Mobitracs is funded via the Alliance grant until October 1, 2022.

P. Wendel asked for clarification on the use of unallocated funds and the coordination between CLA and D. McCoy on a workplan.

B. Erickson indicated that there are associated costs with the operation of CLA equipment such as fuel and insurance to consider. B. Erickson indicated that insurance may preclude CLA from leasing equipment, and that the cleanup may not be successful using just barges and skimmers owned by the County. B. Erickson indicated it is impossible to perfectly separate the use of funds for past or future operations, and that CLA has operated at a deficit this year. B. Erickson indicated that it has been the position of the CLA board for over 30 years that they will provide as much service as possible with the funds that are provided. B. Erickson echoed D. Moore’s point that anticipated funds from municipalities and the County have not been received yet. B. Erickson indicated he recalled P. Wendel saying that he was not anxious to have County funds provided to the CLA due to the actions of certain people. B. Erickson indicated he recalled P. Wendel saying that he would endure the political pressure if services were not provided. B. Erickson indicated that CLA has performed as best as possible with the resources provided, and indicated that the CLA board was unanimous in its decision to continue late-season work as long as available funds are provided.

P. Wendel indicated that at a recent stakeholder meeting he expressed support for allocated $15,000 of the County funds to the CLA to make them whole, with the remaining $25,000 going to support the Mobitrac program. P. Wendel indicated that the option being discussed now appeared to be providing all $76,000 in unallocated funds to the CLA prior to the South Basin cleanup. P. Wendel indicated that a CLA budgetary deficit of approximately $75,000 had been discussed at a recent meeting, which this lump sum would cover, however that would not provide any funding specifically for the South Basin cleanup.

D. Moore indicated that if allocated the $76,000, the CLA Board is prepared to offer three weeks of service. D. Moore indicated that if a smaller amount of funding was provided, the CLA would have to make budgetary adjustments.

D. Conroe indicated that the funding would provide for South Basin cleanup in Burtis Bay and Fluvanna.

J. Wehrfritz asked if that included Mobitracs.

D. Conroe indicated that was correct.

P. Wendel indicated he was of the understanding that a cost estimate for the cleanup was going to be provided, and indicated that it would be a concern if the work incurred greater costs than could be covered by the $76,000.

R. Mueller indicated that he believed that the CLA would be able to provide three weeks of service if granted the $76,000.

D. Moore indicated that was correct, and that the CLA may still have to reduce costs in other areas. D. Moore indicated that the organization was willing to accept that risk in order to bring the project to fruition.

J. Cirbus asked if CLA wanted to utilize CLP barges and/or volunteers for the effort, and questioned whether CLA was needed for the operation at all. J. Cirbus indicated that the $76,000 could be spent more efficiently.

D. Conroe indicated that allowing a volunteer to operate a $350,000 piece of equipment would not be supported by the CLA Board. D. Conroe indicated that volunteers would be welcomed for in-water work, as there are currently no workers available for that. D. Conroe indicated that barges are very labor intensive, and that having that part of the cleanup mechanized is more efficient.

R. Mueller indicated that there will be opportunities for volunteers to clean up their shoreline in the Village of Lakewood and other areas, and welcomed their help.

E. Barnes indicated that in other business situations, cost and scope of work estimates would be standard and itemized. E. Barnes asked if that requesting that for the cleanup seems reasonable, and asked R. Perry for clarification.

R. Perry indicated that the funds could be purposed for lake maintenance without the specification of which organization would receive them. R. Perry indicated that would at least designate the funds for lake maintenance. R. Perry indicated that in the past scope-of-work documents have been provided for late-season work.

D. Conroe indicated he was of the understanding that those procedures would be followed again, as they had been before.

R. Perry indicated that the Alliance Board could reconvene at another time once the CLA was able to provide documents covering costs and scope of work. R. Perry indicated that the summary he had provided on Sunday was based on incomplete information, and with the understanding that more information would be provided. R. Perry indicated that his intention was to summarize for the Board what funds could be made available for late-season needs if they chose to direct them there.

R. Mueller indicated that the CLA was hoping to start work on Monday.

P. Wendel asked if that plan was predicated on the $76,000 being allocated to CLA or for lake maintenance.

R. Mueller indicated that was correct (provided to CLA), and provided some details on the workplan. R. Mueller indicated that CLA had been operating with the expectation that the County funds would be provided.

J. Wehrfritz asked who owns the skimmers.

D. Conroe indicated that the skimmers that will be used are owned by CLA.

J. Wehrfritz indicated he thought they were owned by the County.

D. Conroe indicated that there are two County-owned skimmers that will not be used in this operation.

J. Wehrfritz asked who owns the Mobitracs.

D. Emhardt indicated the Town of Chautauqua and the County own the Mobitracs.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that there are two of the three necessary pieces of equipment that can be operated by volunteers.

D. Conroe indicated that the skimmers are under lease to the CLA.

D. Emhardt indicated that there is insurance coverage to consider.

J. Cirbus asked about the need for a harvester.

D. Emhardt indicated that generally harvesters handle more material, and can offload more.

J. Cirbus indicated that the need for work is nowhere near the effort that was coordinated in 2019. J. Cirbus asked why the work could not be done at a lower cost. J. Cirbus indicated that the insurance issue was being blown out of proportion. J. Cirbus indicated his support for using the County owned skimmers.

E. Barnes asked if volunteers could be used as crew for certain equipment to cut down on costs.

M. LaTone indicated that he believed Pierre Chagnon had expressed his advice that CLA could perform the work needed and then return to the County Legislature for funds to recoup the costs. M. LaTone indicated his desire for more cooperation in order to protect significant investments, such as the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. M. LaTone indicated his frustration with CLA operating on an island all by itself.

R. Mueller indicated that he anticipates that the CLA would work together with Mobitracs and certain Town and Village forces to do the work.

B. Erickson indicated that P. Wendel, State Senator George Borrello, and Assemblyman Andy Goodell took time to visit CLA on Labor Day weekend to lobby for work to be done. B. Erickson indicated this was being done while CLA had been shorted anticipated funding. B. Erickson indicated that Mobitracs are nearly useless without CLA support, and the County was considering purchasing more without considering the need for more support. B. Erickson asked if the work done by the CLA has value or not.

D. Emhardt indicated there is a motion on the floor to transfer $21,074 from the CLP’s grant to the lake maintenance fund. J. Cirbus indicated the CLP supports that. D. Shepherd seconded to call the question. The motion passed unanimously (Abstain: B. Erickson).

J. Bowman indicated that Twan Leenders had put together a proposal to address infestations of starry stonewort. J. Bowman expressed her support for funding work to address the invasive species.

M. Proctor asked if the proposal from T. Leenders calls for five additional invasive species surveys.

D. Emhardt asked the Board to first consider the remainder of the available funds totaling $55,000 from the County ($40,000) and past, yet-unused consolidated foundation funds ($15,000).

E. Barnes indicated that the remaining unallocated funds could be held for use in lake maintenance, and distributed after the South Basin cleanup is completed and the work is detailed.

D. Shepherd made a motion to transfer and hold for use the remaining unallocated funds totaling $55,000 to the category of lake maintenance. The motion was seconded by E. Barnes. Discussion followed.

W. Gleason asked if that was the remainder of the unallocated funds.

D. Emhardt indicated that was correct, and that those funds would be in the lake maintenance category and may be used for invasive species programs.

J. Cirbus indicated that money provided to CLA should be provided based on a detailed invoice.

M. Proctor indicated that he would like to see a budget and scope of work followed by invoicing.

D. Moore provided additional context on CLA budgetary realities and the need for detailed contracts and invoices.

D. Emhardt indicated that the Alliance can have a budget and a contract tomorrow.

D. Conroe indicated that he can work with R. Perry on that, and that if those details can be finalized work can begin on Monday.

D. Dudash indicated that his property abutting the baseball field in the Town of Ellicott has many feet of debris collected on the shoreline. D. Dudash indicated that he is concerned the scope of work would not include the cleanup of his property.

D. Conroe indicated that CLA can clean up debris, but not silt and lake bottom. D. Conroe indicated that D. Dudash’s property is included in the scope of work.

P. Wendel indicated that in his visit to the area with NYSDEC there were no large floating weed mats in Burtis Bay, as have been seen in the past. P. Wendel indicated that there were still areas that do need cleanup.

J. Cirbus indicated that discussions have taken place to get dedicated Mobitracs to work in the South Basin.

D. Emhardt called the question to the Board for the motion on the floor. It was passed unanimously (Abstain: B. Erickson, D. Emhardt).

D. Emhardt invited T. Leenders to speak about the CWC’s starry stonewort proposal.

T. Leenders indicated that CWC’s invasive species early detection work has recently identified significant areas of the macroalgae starry stonewort near Prendergast Point and Ashville Bay Marina. T. Leenders gave a presentation on CWC’s findings, including options for management of starry stonewort. T. Leenders indicated that starry stonewort is a late-season grower, so it was not picked up by early-season surveys. T. Leenders indicated that starry stonewort has reproductive structures called bulbils that can over-winter. T. Leenders indicated he has been working with staff from Buffalo State University and the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. T. Leenders indicated he was requesting funds from the Alliance to perform additional surveys and come up with a management plan.

J. Wehrfritz asked what the management options are.

T. Leenders indicated that is a complicated question. T. Leenders indicated that fragmentation of starry stonewort is a concern, and that suction harvesting is one option. T. Leenders indicated that manual removal can be feasible for small infestations. T. Leenders indicated that this is a newer invasive species that stakeholders are figuring out how to manage.

J. Cirbus indicated that because it is an algae, herbicides would not be effective. J. Cirbus indicated that there are algaecides available such as alum.

A discussion followed of management options for starry stonewort, including copper-based algaecides.

J. Wehrfritz asked if CWC was asking for funds to perform additional surveys and develop a management plan with stakeholders.

T. Leenders indicated that is correct.

J. Cirbus asked what survey methods were used.

T. Leenders indicated that visual surveys with kayaks have been used. T. Leenders indicated that he had tried aerial surveys, but they had limited success.

M. Proctor asked how deep starry stonewort grows.

T. Leenders indicated approximately two meters. T. Leenders indicated that the monocultures that have been found are in shallow water, and choking out native species.

J. Wehrfritz asked about the earliest surveys detecting the algae.

T. West indicated that he believes it was first found in the lake around 2009.

J. Wehrfritz asked if the algae is classified as an invasive.

T. Leenders indicated that was correct.

A discussion followed of the spread of invasive species, the location of the starry stonewort at near two marinas, and the ecological impacts of infestation.

M. Proctor made a motion to approve $6,050 in funding for additional starry stonewort surveys from unallocated lake maintenance funds. The motion was seconded by P. Wendel and was passed unanimously (Abstain: J. Bowman).

V. 2022-2023 Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program Update

R. Perry thanked members who have submitted applications for the 2023 Alliance Consolidated Local Funding Program. R. Perry indicated that the deadline for applications has been extended to September 14, 2022.

VI. Other

P. Wendel indicated that a meeting had occurred on August 12, 2022 with John Kelly of The Jefferson Project and other stakeholders. P. Wendel indicated that The Jefferson Project is interested in undertaking a significant project on Chautauqua Lake and that a funding request has been put in to the Governor’s office. P. Wendel indicated that he had a meeting with the new director of DEC Region 9 that was very productive. P. Wendel indicated that this is the most engagement he has seen with DEC, which is encouraging. P. Wendel indicated his support for reopening discussions of the role of the Alliance, and how it operates as a management agency. P. Wendel indicated that both of these two meetings demonstrated the importance of cooperation and working together. P. Wendel indicated the importance of protecting large economic investments, such as the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. P. Wendel indicated that conversations with the DEC included positive discussions regarding dredging.

J. Cirbus indicated that DEC officials were optimistic about potential dredging projects.

D. McCoy indicated that there have been some discussions raised about a weed control boom for Burtis Bay. D. McCoy indicated that this may be an appropriate topic of discussion for the Alliance Lake Management Committee. D. McCoy indicated that the project is a large investment that would significantly impact how we use the South Basin of the lake.

D. Emhardt indicated he agreed.

J. Wehrfritz indicated he did not agree. J. Wehrfritz indicated that this situation is a good opportunity for the County to show it can do a study to develop an implementation plan for a potential project. J. Wehrfritz indicated that as progress is made on the Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Agency, questions remain about the ability of that organization to produce results. J. Wehrfritz indicated that this task is above the ability of the Lake Management Committee or other related stakeholders. J. Wehrfritz indicated that a scope of work is needed to evaluate a weed boom and other options to keep fragments from collecting onshore. J. Wehrfritz indicated that Burtis Bay shoreline conditions are treated as a crisis every year, despite the fact that they are annual problems. J. Wehrfritz indicated that broader solutions should be considered beyond just Mobitracs or skimmers. J. Wehrfritz indicated that the County could use its engineers to evaluate different options by developing a scope of work and identifying appropriate consultants who could do the work. J. Wehrfritz indicated that very little of the ARPA funds went to the lake. J. Wehrfritz asked for a response from D. McCoy regarding an email expressing these concerns. J. Wehrfritz indicated the near-term solutions used currently are not adequate based on the rapid decline of shoreline conditions soon after cleanup, and a longer-term solution should be evaluated. J. Wehrfritz restated his opinion that the County should use its engineers to develop a scope and identify a qualified consultant who could be hired.

D. McCoy indicated that he disagreed with J. Wehrfritz. D. McCoy indicated that the County’s engineers are not necessarily environmental engineers, they may be bridge or highway engineers, and many are already very busy.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that the right engineer could be hired.

D. McCoy indicated that would be a significant investment, and that the Alliance Lake Management Committee was built for this purpose.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that the Alliance was built to accept grant applications, evaluate them, and allocate money to grantees.

P. Wendel indicated that he agreed with D. McCoy that the County’s engineers are not an ideal fit for this proposal, and indicated that there are many uncertainties about the feasibility of a weed boom. P. Wendel indicated that discussions have happened about the implementation of a weed boom, and that all options for improving the conditions in Burtis Bay are being considered.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that he asked D. McCoy for all of the files on the work that has been done on this is the past to determine the feasibility of a weed boom, and that there were none. J. Wehrfritz indicated he was supporting a course of action where the county would put out a request for proposals to work the problem in Burtis Bay. J. Wehrfritz indicated that questions remain about the CLPRA and the ability of County agencies to accomplish goals, and that this presents an opportunity for the County to demonstrate its ability. J. Wehrfritz indicated that a future taxing district still has many questions surrounding it. J. Wehrfritz asked that the County seriously consider evaluating the problem with the right type of engineers.

D. Emhardt indicated this matter could be discussed further by the County and the Alliance.

VII. Open Floor: Member Representatives and Community Members in Attendance

D. Champ indicated he disapproved of the length and what he perceived as the dysfunction of the meeting. D. Champ indicated his belief that the Alliance should have an Engineering Environmental Committee composed of people such as himself. D. Champ expressed his support for including the most recent public board meeting minutes in the meeting packet, rather than the previous work session minutes. D. Champ indicated that the conditions in Burtis Bay are a natural phenomenon, and that the lake follows a natural progression over the course of the summer season in which conditions degrade. D. Champ indicated his support for creating a Lake Closure Fund, which would serve as a reserve investment fund to be used for end-of-season management. D. Champ indicated his belief that the Alliance has no priority ranking on anything that it does, and that there are no metrics for success. D. Champ asked what the plan of the Alliance is in the long term, and indicated that the Alliance is a fractured organization. D. Champ indicated that the Town of Ellery meeting to discuss the CLPRA organized by J. Wehrfritz had 90 people in attendance, and that a fraction of that were in attendance here. D. Champ indicated that the Alliance needs to add more expertise.

J. Wehrfritz asked if The Jefferson Project has a study plan for the data they are collecting, which he has been asking for over the past two years.

J. Wehrfritz indicated he was concerned that preliminary results were being communicated, as he has never seen anything like that done without a study plan.

P. Wendel indicated that he would contact The Jefferson Project about that.

J. Wehrfritz asked for clarification from the previous meeting minutes, which reference a harvesting moratorium on plants treated with ProcellaCOR.

J. Cirbus indicated that treated plants cannot be composted in the same way as untreated plants.

J. Wehrfritz asked for clarification on the NYSDEC’s position on harvesting weeds in treated areas.

D. Conroe indicated that NYSDEC had not discussed that with CLA.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that some people may be misinterpreting the regulations on composting and harvesting of ProcellaCOR-treated weeds.

J. Cirbus indicated that the restriction is on composting rather than harvesting.

D. Conroe indicated that CLP asked CLA not to harvest in ProcellaCOR-treated areas for 30 days.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that after 30 days, the NYSDEC said treated weeds could be composted.

D. Conroe indicated that NYSDEC has not stated that they can be composted.

J. Wehrfritz indicated that this needs to be clarified.

VIII. Adjourn

D. Emhardt made a motion to adjourn the September 08, 2022 Board meeting. The motion was seconded by M. Proctor and was passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM.

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The Alliance Board of Directors passed a motion to approve these 09/8/2022 Meeting Minutes on 10/13/22.

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