Watershed Conservancy To Conduct Assessment
By The Post-Journal Staff
3/19/2007 - The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is conducting a stream and watershed assessment on the stream and its tributaries in Busti and Lakewood which collect water from the Baker Street Extension, Southwestern Drive, Sunset Drive, Mall Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue areas, and flows into Chautauqua Lake at the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club.
Eurasian watermilfoil, a major nuisance plant in Chautauqua Lake, and the target of hundreds of thousands of dollars of control efforts annually, is a major problem in the area of the lake directly fed by the stream. The plant grows most abundantly in fresh deposits of sediments and nutrients which annually accumulate from the stream. Chautauqua Lake's plants and algae blooms are fed by excessive amounts of soils, nutrients and fertilizers reaching the lake via lawns, parking lots, rooftops, streets, storm drains and streams.
John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, working with scientist Gregg Antemann of the Carolina Wetlands Services, will, with the permission of landowners, survey the stream and its tributaries to identify and evaluate stream bank erosion sites as to their severity; sources of excessive storm water or nutrients and opportunities for stream and watershed enhancements to reduce storm water discharge to streams, stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, control flooding and increase groundwater recharge.
The team anticipates doing its field investigations beginning Wednesday.
When the initial investigation is complete, the conservancy will contact landowners to seek their partnership in implementing conservation projects controlling runoff and erosion addressing those conditions which promote nuisance lake plant growth.
''The success of this project will depend upon the voluntary participation of watershed landowners,'' Jablonski said. ''This investigation is funded by private membership donations to the Conservancy. No county government funds are involved.''
Kathy Sullivan, Busti town supervisor, sent a letter to landowners in the watershed area encouraging them to allow access to their properties for this study.
''The town of Busti is making every effort to address the root causes of Chautauqua Lake's sedimentation, algae and plant problems,'' she said. ''The town Highway Department, under the leadership of Gene Johnson, has begun implementing erosion control projects on its drainage system and is participating on this project.''
Founded in 1990, the conservancy's mission is to preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region. It has lead efforts resulting in the conservation of more than 500 acres of important watershed lands across Chautauqua County and 1.7 miles of Chautauqua Lake and outlet shoreline.
For more information, call Jablonski at 664-2166 or e-mail chautwsh@netsync.net.
Eurasian watermilfoil, a major nuisance plant in Chautauqua Lake, and the target of hundreds of thousands of dollars of control efforts annually, is a major problem in the area of the lake directly fed by the stream. The plant grows most abundantly in fresh deposits of sediments and nutrients which annually accumulate from the stream. Chautauqua Lake's plants and algae blooms are fed by excessive amounts of soils, nutrients and fertilizers reaching the lake via lawns, parking lots, rooftops, streets, storm drains and streams.
John Jablonski, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, working with scientist Gregg Antemann of the Carolina Wetlands Services, will, with the permission of landowners, survey the stream and its tributaries to identify and evaluate stream bank erosion sites as to their severity; sources of excessive storm water or nutrients and opportunities for stream and watershed enhancements to reduce storm water discharge to streams, stabilize stream banks, reduce erosion, control flooding and increase groundwater recharge.
The team anticipates doing its field investigations beginning Wednesday.
When the initial investigation is complete, the conservancy will contact landowners to seek their partnership in implementing conservation projects controlling runoff and erosion addressing those conditions which promote nuisance lake plant growth.
''The success of this project will depend upon the voluntary participation of watershed landowners,'' Jablonski said. ''This investigation is funded by private membership donations to the Conservancy. No county government funds are involved.''
Kathy Sullivan, Busti town supervisor, sent a letter to landowners in the watershed area encouraging them to allow access to their properties for this study.
''The town of Busti is making every effort to address the root causes of Chautauqua Lake's sedimentation, algae and plant problems,'' she said. ''The town Highway Department, under the leadership of Gene Johnson, has begun implementing erosion control projects on its drainage system and is participating on this project.''
Founded in 1990, the conservancy's mission is to preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region. It has lead efforts resulting in the conservation of more than 500 acres of important watershed lands across Chautauqua County and 1.7 miles of Chautauqua Lake and outlet shoreline.
For more information, call Jablonski at 664-2166 or e-mail chautwsh@netsync.net.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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