DEC ACQUIRES CHAUTAUQUA LAKE WATERFRONT PROPERTY
Over 2,000 feet of Undeveloped Lake Frontage Protected

ALBANY, NY -- (07/28/2006; 1520)(EIS) -- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced that the State has acquired 23.7 acres of shoreline property along Western New York's Chautauqua Lake in the Town of Ellery, Chautauqua County. Acquisition of the remaining parcels of the former Cheney property provides the State with an additional 2,246 feet of undeveloped lake frontage.
"New York State's acquisition of this beautiful shoreline property will help protect water quality and the ecological health of Chautauqua Lake," Commissioner Sheehan said. "DEC will continue working with our partners on the State and local levels to fulfill Governor Pataki's commitment to open space preservation so that significant fish and wildlife habitat, public recreational opportunities, and tourism can continue to be protected and fostered across New York."
The first of four parcels of the lakeside portion of the former Cheney property was acquired by the State in 1998 from Mr. John Cheney. That purchase protected 10.3 acres of land with 1,200 feet of lake frontage. The current acquisition from Cheney's siblings - Anabel Weise, Donna Stage, Edith Johnson and Rhea Cheney- was purchased using the State's Environmental Protection Fund and brings the DEC's holdings to 34 acres with 3,446 feet of undeveloped lake frontage.
This 23.7-acre shoreline property will protect spawning and nursery areas for important fish species, such as muskellunge, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and panfish. DEC will manage the Cheney lakefront parcels as a low-intensity access site offering shoreline fishing. A small parking area will be developed to allow parking for day use of the site.
Assemblyman William L. Parment said, "Chautauqua Lake preservation has always been a priority for me as a one of our community's most precious natural assets. We have worked on this important land acquisition for quite some time and I am pleased that the project has finally reached fruition. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the Cheney families deserve much credit for their commitment to preserving this beautiful open space."
Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards said, "The completion of the purchase of this shoreline property highlights the importance of Chautauqua Lake to Governor Pataki and the Cheney family. All of the residents of our County are the benefactors of this significant step toward preserving our lake which is an essential part of the economic stability of our Region. The County of Chautauqua did not have the resources to secure this property and I am deeply grateful to those who promoted this project at the State level. This purchase will provide local access to the lake along with the environmental benefits of protecting this habitat. Hopefully this will be another step toward securing the additional resources necessary to address the many other issues effecting Chautauqua Lake."
John Jablonski III, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, said, "Conserving this lengthy natural shoreline has been one of the highest priorities of the Conservancy since it's founding. We highly commend these families, State leaders and DEC staff for committing this site for the benefit of the public now and for generations to come. This action conserves the watershed water quality functions of this lakeshore as a pollution filter, helping to protect the lake against excess nutrients and sedimentation that fuel nuisance plant growth."
Centrally located in Chautauqua County, the 13,000-acre Chautauqua Lake provides anglers with tremendous fishing opportunities. The Lake is annually stocked by DEC with 13,000 muskellunge fingerlings from the State's Chautauqua Prendergast Hatchery, along with 200,000 walleye fingerlings from DEC's Chautauqua Prendergast and Oneida hatcheries.
The former Cheney properties were identified as important priorities for conservation in the State's Open Space Conservation Plan. The Regional Open Space Advisory Committee nominated these parcels under the "Chautauqua Lake Access, Shore Lands & Vistas" category and recommended their purchase. This acquisition is especially important, since less than 12 percent of the Lake's shoreline remains undeveloped.
Since 1995, the State has committed to the acquisition of nearly 960,000 acres statewide to be conserved and protected for public benefit and enjoyment. The acquisition of the Cheney property builds upon the permanently protected open space in Chautauqua County, such as the historic Midway Park site announced by Governor Pataki and for acquisition by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 2005. Midway Park, built in 1898, is located at the northern end of Chautauqua Lake. It is nationally recognized as the 16th oldest continuously operated amusement park in the county, is open seasonally and has been in operation for 107 consecutive years. Midway Park is one of only 12 remaining "Trolley Parks" in the United States.

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