The first in a series of public meetings about the Skaneateles Lake Watershed takes place Wednesday night. It’s been in the works for few years and utilizes the State DEC’s Nice Element Watershed Plan to assess what factors in and around the lake need to be addressed to keep water quality high. Environmental Program Manager with the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board, Aaron McKeon McKeon says while phosphorous levels in the lake remain low, there are concerns about the effects of climate change.
“Even though the water quality is very good, we could see more harmful algal blooms in the future, and on top of that, there are invasive species that put pressure on the lake. So, there are a variety of invasive species that are currently present.”
McKeon says the State DEC’s Nine Element Plan is not about placing regulatory control on the watershed. But, rather it’s a means of getting together with those who live around Skaneateles Lake. The group will to put together a future watershed strategy for the entire lake.
“We want people from across the watershed anybody who lives, works, plays in Skaneateles Lake in the watershed. Anybody who cares about the quality of the drinking water in the City of Syracuse should consider being a part of this public meeting and planning process.”
A component of the plan is to look at how septic systems could impact Skaneateles Lake.
“Some of those septic systems are older. So, there might be education programs to talk to residential property owners who own septic systems, talk about how to maintain those.”
The entire Skaneateles Lake watershed spans roughly 60 square miles and is the primary source of water for the City of Syracuse. Wednesday night’s public meeting on the watershed Nine Element Plan will be held at Lourdes Camp on Ten Mile Point Road in Skaneateles at 6:30 pm. It will also be held virtually next Wednesday night.