Summer 2013

Lakewatch

A Publication of Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, Inc. Serving the Seneca Lake Watershed Region

SPECIAL EDITION:

SLPWA Board of Directors

ANNUAL REPORTS

President: Mary Anne Kowalski Vice-President: John Flowers, 1st VP Jim Bromka, 2nd VP Secretary: Barb Schiesser Treasurer: Bob Kayser

About Important Issues for Seneca Lake

MARCELLUS SHALE LAKE LEVELS LPG STORAGE LAKE RESEARCH INVASIVE SPECIES ALGAE BLOOMS CLIMATE CHANGE WATERSHED ALLIANCE EPA AWARD

ANNUAL DINNER & MEETING Members in good standing are eligible to vote in the BOD election. Check the address label to see if your membership is up to date. Use the enclosed registration form to register for the event. The dinner and meeting are open to members as well as the public, so bring a friend !

Rich Ahola Jim Carter Phil Cianciotto Bobbi Clifford Ed Przybylowicz Janet VanDine Addison Mason

Thursday, September 12 The Belhurst, Geneva NY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE           

ANNUAL MEETING

1

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

2

CLIMATE CHANGE

3

FLRWA & SLISS

4

MARCELLUS SHALE

5

DOCK PLATES

6

EPA AWARD

7

RESEARCH ON SENECA LAKE

8

SALT CAVERN STORAGE

8

LAKE LEVEL REPORT

9

STATE OF THE LAKE

9

Plus

INSERT FOR ANNUAL MEETING

5:30-6:30 pm Display, Exhibits, Raffle & Silent Auction Review

6:30 pm - Dinner 7:15 pm—Business Meeting 7:30 pm - Presentation: Ben Wright—Senior Principal Engineer @ Hazen & Sawyer, PC “CLIMATE CHANGE—HOW DOES WEATHER AFFECT SURFACE WATER QUALITY?”

DISPLAYS EXHIBITS RAFFLES SILENT AUCTION

Lakewatch President’s Message

Mary Anne Kowalski

ANNUAL MEETING KEYNOTE TOPIC: CLIMATE CHANGE We have all observed changes in the weather with droughts, torrential rain, decreased snow cover and heat waves. We have also noted changes in Seneca Lake: algae and seaweed blooms, warmer lake temperature, fluctuating lake levels, increasing wind events and changes in lake clarity.

Cornell University has quantified and projected some of these changes:  67% increase in the number of 2-inch rainfall events in a 48 hour period, since 1950.  Lower snow cover, by as much as 25 to 50 % in the next 50 years  Increase in average rainfall of up to 5% by 2020.  Changing precipitation patterns, with increased precipitation in the winter and decreased precipitation in the late summer and the fall.  Lower rainfall amounts in the summers may increase the frequency of drought. Are these changes related? It is critical to look at the issue of climate change and how it might impact Seneca Lake. More important what can we expect and what, if anything, can we do to mitigate the impacts. That is why the Board has selected the issue of climate change for its annual meeting. Ben Wright, our guest speaker, is working with water supply professionals to help with the planning for changes to surface water supplies, like Seneca Lake, caused by climate change and how to plan for and mitigate the impact on the availability of clean, safe drinking water. We hope you will join us on September 12th at The Belhurst for our Annual Meeting and Dinner and to hear Ben talk about this important subject as it affects all of us. See a short article on Page 3 that Ben prepared for this edition of LakeWatch on the topic.

DON’T FORGET YOUR CHECKBOOK! If you have been to our Annual Dinner and Meeting before, you will remember the great Silent Auction items donated by our wonderful Business Supporters. This year is no different! Barb Schiesser (SLPWA Secretary) and Diane Mason (SLPWA member) have been busy all summer contacting businesses for their contributions. At the time this newsletter went to press, we have received items from the following businesses, so plan to bring your check book to the dinner. There will be even more by the night of the meeting. Bidding begins at 5:30 PM and winning bidders can pick up their items at the close of the meeting. Harbor Hotel Glenora Veraisons Pat Marjama (artist) Stone Cat Life in the Finger Lakes magazine MacKenzie Childs Geneva Bike Center Page 2

Captain Bill’s Seneca Wine Trail Dundee Observer Belhurst Finger Lakes Times Ramada Inn

And Much More!

Seneca Sailing Adventures Fran Bliek (artist) Sunrise Landing B&B Dano’s Restaurant Stivers Boat Tours Wine /Gift Baskets

Lakewatch

L

Climate Change Projections and Impacts for the Finger Lakes Region Ben Wright Climate change has significant potential to impact water resources due to alterations in prevailing weather patterns and hydrologic regimes, which can lead to changes in the timing and magnitude of runoff. This can result in a diverse array of impacts including drought, flood damage, and water quality changes. One of the biggest fears is that the local hydrology will change so drastically that there will not be sufficient water supplies in most years to meet all the region’s needs. The good news, particularly for New York, is that on average there is not predicted to be a severe reduction in annual runoff. In fact, the region is generally projected to see slight increases in overall rainfall during the year. At a seasonal level, however, current model projections indicate that there will be a general reduction in rainfall across the U.S. during summer in the future. Reduced summer rainfall in New York is predicted to be more than offset by increases in rainfall during the winter and spring. Warmer temperatures will result in typically lower snowpack accumulation and also increased demands on existing water supplies. But because snowpack is not relied upon for water supply storage, as in many areas in the western US, and the Finger Lakes Region has ample water storage capacity, short term dry periods are not anticipated to have much, if any, impact on the region’s water supplies. Despite the fact that average conditions are expected to be warmer and wetter, it does not preclude the possibility of a severe long-term drought. Droughts are difficult to predict, but there has been some analysis of paleoclimate data based on tree ring chronologies in New York to understand drought occurrence going back over one thousand years. While these studies showed that the 1960’s drought was one of the most severe in the record, there were other extremely dry periods that were of comparable severity. Because we don’t understand how persistent droughts form, it is difficult to say how climate change will impact future drought recurrence in the region. From a water quality perspective, there is significantly more uncertainty as to how weather and hydrology changes will affect the health of streams and lakes. Warmer conditions and additional CO2in the atmosphere are expected to increase plant growth and microbial respiration, which may affect nutrient and carbon cycling through the area’s watersheds and lakes. Projected water quality and hydrology changes may, therefore, increase algal blooms, encourage invasive species, and stress native species. When looking at climate change impacts over the next few decades, we must not fail to include impacts from human activity as well. According to the Seneca Lake Watershed Management Plan, phosphorous loading to the lake is estimated at more than 400% higher than what leaves the lake. If this trend continues unabated, nutrient impacts to the lake may dwarf any water quality changes resulting from climate change. Similarly with invasive species, climate change may increase habitat suitability, but the most likely route is from unintentional introduction by area residents and visitors. Stewardship of our natural resources with a focus on long term sustainability will allow us to better adapt to the changing conditions brought on by climate change. Page 3

Lakewatch Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance (FLRWA) Phil Cianciotto The Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance (FLRWA) is made up of the 9 publicly owned Finger Lakes that have lake or watershed associations. Included in the alliance are the following watershed associations: Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association Cayuga Lake Watershed Network Conesus Lake Association Honeoye Lake Association Keuka Lake Association Otisco Lake Preservation Association Owasco Watershed Lake Association Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association Skaneateles Lake Association This Spring, FLRWA co-sponsored with the Finger Lakes Institute a Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The film festival provided regional residents and opportunity to view environmentally based films, hear about other environmental education opportunities offered in the region and network with members of various environmental groups in the region. The outbreak of a Hydrilla infestation at the Cayuga Lake inlet in Ithaca, prompted the FLRWA to take on invasive species as the main focus of its efforts this year. The Alliance shares best practices with member associations. Each member association has formed a citizen science based invasive species spotter program starting this year. Information on aquatic invasive species that threaten the Finger Lakes has been shared across associations, and educational programs in conjunction with The Finger Lakes Institute, the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development, and the US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition several databases have been established for citizen spotters to report sightings of aquatic invasive species on their individual lakes. See the separate article below about the Seneca Lake Invasive Species spotter program.

SLPWA’s Aquatic Invasive Species Spotter Program (SLISS) This summer SLPWA, in conjunction with the other members of the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance, initiated the Seneca Lake Invasive Species Spotter (SLISSer) program to enlist watershed residents in a citizen based science program to look for and spot invasive species in Seneca Lake. The observations entail shoreline observations and observations from docks and shallow areas along the lakeshore. Training in aquatic invasive species was offered to participants and an internet based reporting system was established for spotters to post their observations, attach photos of unidentified items found for expert identification, and location information. Spotters were asked to provide weekly input to look for possible introductions of new species. The importance of this volunteer response to aquatic invasive species should not be underestimated. A volunteer group of citizen spotters, The Cayuga Lake Floating Classroom, was credited for making the initial observations of Hydrilla in Cayuga Lake in August 2011. While there have been no observations of Hydrilla in any of the other Finger Lakes, the most likely source of infestations is the ‘hitchhiking” capability of the weed on boats and boat trailers. The potential ease of spreading makes this invasive species a concern for all of the Finger Lakes including Seneca Lake. If you are a lake shore landowner, or someone that would like to report observations from a point of public access and want to learn more about this program, send us an email at [email protected]. With over 75 miles of shoreline, there is room for hundreds of volunteers – won’t you help keep a lid on invasive species? Page 4

Lakewatch The Marcellus Shale Committee – Ed Przybylowicz The Marcellus Shale Committee, formed in October 2009, is studying the impact that commercial drilling for natural gas in the shale deposits of New York State could have on "the water quality, natural habitat and general environmental conditions of Seneca Lake and its watershed." As appropriate, the committee recommends to the SLPWA Board of Directors actions to be taken by the association to "collect, preserve, publish and disseminate information" regarding this activity. Actions initiated by this committee range from review and comments on proposed regulations and statutory environmental and health impact assessments released by state agencies for public comment, to communications with elected state and federal representatives on issues raised in such reviews.

These actions are accompanied by press releases which get local and regional media coverage. In all cases these are posted on the association's website for the information of its members and the public at large. In writing the annual summary of this activity one year ago, it appeared that New York State was on the verge of making a decision on whether to allow the high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) to be used for the commercial exploitation of natural gas contained in shale deposits across the state. As of August, 2013, no decision has been forthcoming. Several factors account for the delayed decision:  the price of natural gas is low as a result of gas production in other states (such as Texas and Pennsylvania) making it less attractive for energy companies to expand their drilling operations to New York State;  there has been considerable pressure on the Governor and his administration by the public and health care professionals to carry out a comprehensive health impact assessment of this technology on the residents of New York State. The Department of Health has not completed its assessment as of August, 2013 despite publicly stated deadlines that go back as far as November 2012;  the state legislature has introduced and passed bills to delay the use of this technology in New York State which actions reflect public concerns about the impact of HVHF. While no legislation has been sent to the Governor for signature, these actions are indicators of the public sentiment; and  in March, 2013, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., an advisor to the Governor and an environmentalist, advised the Governor against allowing HVHF in New York State pending better scientific evidence of its safety. Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association’s (SLPWA) concern with the quality of the state’s health assessment has led to a request for information under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) regarding the requests made of the Department of Health by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Our first FOIL request was allowed after an initial rejection. We now have another request which has been denied but we are prepared to take legal action in order to get some transparency on this issue. Recently, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman noted that “the decision about hydrofracking has been delayed by the well-organized advocacy of the anti-fracking groups across the state.” In the meantime, the gas industry is quietly pressuring the Federal government to expand liquified natural gas (LNG) import/export ports such as the Liberty Port Ambrose Project which would allow LNG to be shipped around the world to the highest bidders. This would raise the price and make the expansion of HVHF more viable economically. Such exports would raise the domestic price of LNG produced in this country. Additionally, the gas industry has had a national campaign through public media pointing to the advantages of LNG for our energy needs without pointing out the risks. SLPWA's position on HVHF being used in New York State for the exploitation of natural gas from shale deposits continues to be that it is a process which has high risk for environmental, health and business damage to the state and its residents. However, independent scientific evidence has not been forthcoming. To the contrary, there continues to be experiential evidence from other states engaged in this process that the risks of problems are high. Details of SLPWA actions related to the threat of HVHF being used in New York State are reported on our website project page: http://www.senecalake.org/Marcellus.html. Page 5

Lakewatch ANNUAL MEETING REQUIREMENTS

A VITAL Fundraiser for Gas Free Seneca

Jim Carter Section 2 of the By-Laws of the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association, Inc. states that an annual meeting shall be held each year for the election of members of the Board of Directors and for receiving annual reports of Officers, Directors and Committees, and the transaction of other business. The meeting shall be held during the month of August or September at a time and place fixed by the Board. Notice of such meeting shall be mailed to each member at least ten (10 ) days and not more than forty (40 ) days prior to the meeting.

Damiani Wine Cellars, 4704 Rt 414, Burdett, NY for more information, please go to www.gasfreeseneca.com

DO YOU HAVE ONE? EVERYone IS TALKING ABOUT THEM!!

DOCK or HOUSE PLATES ALUMINUM .063 REFLECTIVE PLATE 15"L X 5"W with screw holes, - ready for mounting 4" Die Cut Numbers LOGO is in "SLPWA Blue" Color on Reflective White Background $28.25 if mailed OR $25.00 if picked up at Annual Meeting + $1.00 per number Name___________________________________________ Street________________________________Town________________________Zip_____ ___# of Dock Plates ($28.25)

___# of Numbers ($1.00 each): ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Fill in desired numbers (1 per line)

TOTAL__________ Make check out to SLPWA and mail with order form to PO BOX 247, Geneva, NY 14456.

Questions? Email SLPWA at [email protected] ____I will pick up at Annual Meeting Page 6

Lakewatch

In a letter dated March 19, 2013 to President Mary Anne Kowalski, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) Administrator, Judith Enck announced that SLPWA was selected to receive a 2013 EPA Environmental Quality Award, the highest recognition presented to the public by EPA for enhancing environmental quality, through its work on behalf of Seneca Lake. EPA honored this year’s award recipients at a ceremony on Friday, April 19th at the EPA Region 2 offices in Lower Manhattan. SLPWA was cited by the EPA for, “providing an active public educational defense against activities that might threaten the watershed. SLPWA prefers to engage in reasoned, level-headed dialog--based on science and facts rather than confrontation--in its continual efforts to advocate for the environmental well-being of the Seneca Lake.”

Will Hydrofracking Impact Local Streams? CSI Monitoring Opportunities No one can say with certainty how or if hydrofracking will impact our streams, lakes and rivers. The Community Science Institute (CSI), based in Ithaca NY, is recruiting and training several groups of volunteers for its "Red Flag" Stream Monitoring program to find out. The Community Science Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower citizens to monitor and protect their community's natural resources, especially water. In addition to partnering with volunteer groups, CSI also operates a state certified water quality testing lab (NYSDOH-ELAP #11790). CSI currently partners with twelve volunteer groups in the Cayuga Lake watershed and Upper Susquehanna River Basin, covering over 1700 square miles of drainage area. Water monitoring by volunteer groups in partnership with the certified laboratory is a low-cost and effective strategy for tracking water quality. With support from the CSI lab, volunteers will perform regular "red flag" field tests on stream samples to assess whether or not contamination occurs from shale gas operations. If a "red flag" is found, the CSI lab will perform further testing. CSI will be training new "Red Flag" volunteers in a 2-part workshop series. The workshops will take place on Sunday, September 8th, 1-5 PM (Par t 1) and Sunday, September 29th, 1-5 PM (Part 2) at the Corning American Legion, located at 8 River Road in Corning, NY. RSVPs are required for these workshops. If you are unable to come to the training workshops but would still like to be involved, for more information or to RSVP, contact Becky Sims, CSI's Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected] or 607-257-6606. Page 7

Lakewatch Salt Cavern Gas Storage - Phil Cianciotto This past year has seen no resolution on the issue of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage in the previously solution mined salt caverns on the former US Salt property just north of Watkins Glen on the west side of Seneca Lake. Inergy, the new owners of the US Salt property, has applied for permits with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to repurpose a number of caverns to LPG storage in 2011. In 2012 a Qualitative Risk Assessment (QRA) was conducted by Inergy at the DEC’s request and SLPWA found several areas of concern with the report that was released. SLPWA found that :  The QRA appears to be based on a typical LPG storage facility that could be located anywhere in the world and does not address what we believe are the unique site conditions for the facility in Watkins Glen.  The QRA does not assess the current capability or the future capability of area first responders that may need to be called upon in case of a major accident at the facility  The QRA does not mention and therefore does not consider the unique nature of the proposed salt storage caverns to be directly adjacent to a 37 mile long and 630 foot deep fresh water lake. Nor is any risk associated with the fact that salt from the very layer in which the LPG is to be stored is believed to be leaching into the lake, thus accounting for the 4 time higher salt concentration in Seneca Lake compared to the other Finger Lakes in the region.  The QRA does not make any mention of the brine storage ponds and any potential environmental risk to the lake or surrounding wetlands in case of a failure of these ponds. While we recognize that this assessment may be part of an Environmental Impact Statement that may be filed by the applicant for the proposal, it should be a part of a QRA submitted for this project as a verification or refutation of the applicant’s and the DEC’s assessment for environmental impact.  The QRA makes no assessment on the impact the proposal will have on the tourism and wine industry of the region on which a vast majority of the regions residents rely upon for their livelihoods. We await word from the DEC, while observing continued construction activity at the site.

Research on Seneca Lake The primary research on Seneca Lake is conducted by the Finger Lakes Institute of Hobart and William Smith College (FLI) and focuses on watershed limnology, invasive species, macroinvertebrates in the lake and its tributaries, mercury and trace metals in the water, lake sediments and stream tributaries. Over the past couple of years SLPWA has obtained funding for expanded testing in the central and southern reaches of the lake. The purpose of this expanded testing was to determine if the lake is significantly different in those regions versus the more northern areas of the lake where the bulk of scientific data has been accumulated. In general, water quality and the biological, chemical makeup of the lake was similar in all sites tested. This indicates that the lake is well mixed and suggested that primary monitoring at the northern end of the lake is representative of the lake and its overall health. There were several exceptions. In the central and southern areas, slightly higher salt concentrations were noted in water samples from these deepest areas. The source of the higher salt concentrations, either as a natural influx or as a result of salt mining activities in the southern end of the lake, could not be determined. If mining activity or if the proposed repurposing of the mined salt caverns to LPG storage is approved, additional testing and monitoring of salt content in these deep areas may be warranted. The SLPWA funding also allowed for a more extensive review of the impact of Catharine Creek. Nutrient loading in Catharine Creek was similar or slightly lower than other creeks discharging into Seneca Lake, generally. But the spring discharge and that flux of nutrients entering the lake was found to be significantly higher than previously estimated. When the updated flow and nutrient concentration data for Catharine Creek was used to refine earlier phosphorous budget estimates, it was found that over 70% of the phosphorous load to the lake is due to major stream inflows around the lake. Knowing which streams are major contributors may allow for a focus of remedial efforts to the drainage areas of these tributaries. Additional research is needed to determine major sources of nutrient input by testing several locations along a tributary. The complete review of this testing program can be found at: http://flihappenings.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/southern-expansion-of-seneca-lake-water-quality-testing-program-2011-2012/ Page 8

Lakewatch State of the Lake - Phil Cianciotto Limnology, also called freshwater science, is the study of inland waters. These studies use the biological, chemical, physical, geological, and other attributes to assess the health of freshwater lakes, including Seneca Lake. In limnology, an oligotrophic lake is a lake with low nutrient content. These lakes have low algal production, and consequently, often have very clear waters, with high drinking-water quality. Mesotrophic lakes are lakes with an intermediate level of productivity. These lakes are commonly clear water lakes and ponds with beds of submerged aquatic plants and medium levels of nutrients. Of the eight Finger Lakes that are compared for water quality by Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) annually, Seneca Lake continues to rank fourth. Canandaigua, Keuka, and Skaneateles have overall better water quality. Honeoye, Cayuga, Owasco and Otisco have poorer water quality. Over the past decade overall water quality of Seneca Lake has continued to decline based on measurements of water clarity. Chlorophyll levels, which is a marker of increased plant growth, are also increasing. As classified by limnolgists, over the past decade, Seneca Lake has gradually moved from what used to be a clear, weedless lake (oligotrophic) to a nutrient-rich, weed-infested (mesothropic) body of water. If this direction is not reversed, it could become an over-producer of weeds and algae with no fish due to oxygen depletion (eurothropic). Members who have been around Seneca Lake for many years have noticed this shift in the lakes overall water quality as observed by increases in aquatic vegetation. With the high levels of rainfall this past Spring/ Summer it is expected that runoff into the lake has further increased nutrient load in the lake. Dissolved nutrients that enter Seneca Lake will stay in the lake for a minimum of 18 years before being flushed out of the lake. So the decades of decline in water quality will take decades before improvements can be seen. A complete detailed scientific review of the current state of the lake can be found In Chapter 4 (Seneca Lake Limnology and Stream Hydrochemistry) of the Seneca Lake Watershed Management Plan at: http://stcplanning.org/usr/Program_Areas/Water_Resources/Seneca_Lake_Plan/SenecaCharacterizationSubwatershedEval.pdf

Lake Level Report—Bob Kayser Got Water? After a somewhat dry spring, Seneca Lake has been blessed with abundant rain throughout the summer. That blessing, however, might be viewed as a mixed one. While water levels have remained well within the levels described by the Hanson Rule Curve, the rains have resulted in considerable phosphorus and other nutrients being washed into the lake from agricultural lands and other sources. The resulting growth of bluegreen algae and other aquatic plants has made lakeside life unpleasant for many, and water drinkers turn up their noses. SLPWA is working to bring attention to the sources of this pollution around the Lake to the attention of government officials so that solutions can be developed. It is our view that unless and until public pressure is brought to bear on those dumping pollutants into Seneca Lake, the problems will become more acute each summer. Page 9

Lakewatch Fiscal Year 2012-2013

Financial Report-Bob Kayser, Treasurer

SLPWA MISSION:

Enhance and Preserve the Quality of Seneca Lake Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association will further its mission through efforts to:

     

Promote the understanding, preservation and improvement of the water quality, natural habitat and general environmental conditions of Seneca Lake and its watershed; Sponsor scientific research of the watershed to establish baseline data and monitor changes; Collect, preserve, publish and disseminate information concerning Seneca Lake and its watershed; Encourage and support the compliance with laws and regulations; Collaborate with like-minded organizations; and Promote patterns of development and technology to further our mission.

Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association P.O. Box 247 Geneva, NY 14456 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

SLPWA received $14,532.04 in donations and membership revenue during the past fiscal year. Of this amount the organization spent $12,236.07 resulting in a net gain in assets of $2,295.97 for the period. 80% of expenditures are on communication the issues of Seneca Lake to our members and elected representatives, 10% in supporting research on the lake and the remaining 10% on events and meetings. At year end, our balance sheet showed cash in checking and savings of $26,357.54, and no outstanding liabilities. The full balance sheet will be shared at the Annual Meeting. The current financial position of SLPWA is strong, but in order to successfully accomplish all the agendas we are pursuing, we strong, but in order to successfully accomplish all the agendas we are pursuing, we must grow our membership and receive gifts and bequests.