Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization

Present: Jim Malyj (Seneca County SWCD),Tom Vawter (Wells College), Jose Lozano (City of Ithaca), Cliff Calinan (NYSDEC), Linda Wagenet (Cornell Center for the Environment), Kate Hackett (Tompkins County Planning Department), Steve Eidt (NYSDEC Region 7), Liz Moran (EcoLogic), John Roebig (Ecologic), Sylvia Hurtbut (Town of Ledyard, IO), Sharon Anderson (Tompkins County CCE/WRC, Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Plan Education/PP Committee), David Zorn (Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council).

1. Grant Proposal Review - Jose Lozano indicated that the Web-linked Interactive CD-ROM proposal had gone out to USEPA and thought that it was submitted to the Small Grants program as well through the WRI. Jose indicated that Daniel Loucks is sharing his modeling process and he would be willing to do a presentation on the model.

2. Draft Monitoring Plan Framework - Cliff Calinan pointed out that he did a presentation on the Draft Monitoring Plan Framework at the last Technical Committee Meeting and that he would like comments back on it by the end of January. He indicated that the next step is to use the Characterization and develop a monitoring plan for the Cayuga Lake Watershed. The following comments and suggestions were given:

〈 Grant proposals (Jose Lozano) - USEPA - assess statistical methods of monitoring/design - assess relative perception vs. real problem

〈 Jose Lozano will email around the existing draft Directory for review and additions. There should be a check made between Characterization and Directory.

3. Watershed Management Plan Strategy Process Review - David Zorn went through existing Plan worktasks. A suggestion was made to tie in NYSDOH and the SWAP, and Stormwater Phase II. Steve Eidt indicated that a municipal list has been developed for Stormwater Phase II permitting and that these municipalities would be phased in between 2003 and 2007. The idea is to have all municipalities in compliance by 2008. John Roebig handed out overviews on the strategies method for the plan and the wetlands management piece. Sharon Anderson pointed out that there will be four public participation meetings in February to review any strategies. Dates are as follows:

4. Discussion of the Seneca-Cayuga Canal - Jose Lozano pointed out that the IO had asked for clarification as to why the Seneca-Cayuga Watershed is not included in the Cayuga Lake Watershed for the purposed of the Characterization and the Watershed Management Plan. Jose had some initial thoughts and will circulate them for review. (UPDATE: the final response is attached). David Zorn also pointed out that the Seneca-Cayuga Canal is not part of the NYSDOS contract but should be included somehow as a contributor to the Cayuga Lake Watershed.

During the last meeting the inclusion of the Seneca-Cayuga Canal in the Cayuga Lake watershed management plan was discussed. This was done at the request of the IO. During the following days after the meeting, the Technical Committee members were asked to comment on a first draft response to the IO

The combined Keuka-Seneca watershed represents almost half of the land area and contributes about half the flow that leaves the Cayuga Lake watershed at Mudlock. Some of the point and non-point sources within this intervening area probably has some influence on the northern end of the Cayuga Lake (north of the railroad causeway) although it is heavily diluted by the outflow from the Seneca Lake system. This area cannot be ignored nor left to someone else to consider -- it is part of the Cayuga system.

The upstream area (Keuka and Seneca watersheds) are handled under their respective management plans but the SC canal watershed should have been included in our evaluation.

These hydrological features were taken into account when inviting the Canal Authority staff to be involved in the watershed management plan three years ago, during the inception of the IO itself. There is no question that the Seneca-Cayuga Canal is important. One of the objectives of our reply is to encourage and renew the IO effort to involve, not only the Canal Authority, but also other potential stakeholders in the next stages of the Cayuga Lake management plan.

The IO Technical Committee also suggests exploring the possibility of coordinating the Cayuga Watershed Management Plan with those of Keuka and Seneca Lakes as well as with the Canal Corporation and canal-area stakeholders to deal with Seneca-Cayuga Canal issues.