Chautauqua Lake Watershed Wells Bay Property

CWC Seeking Grant Money To Purchase Wells Bay Property By Nicholas L. Dean ndean@post-journal.com  North Harmony Town Board members heard from John Jablonski III, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, Monday during their regular business meeting. The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is looking to secure grant money to purchase a piece of lakefront property in Wells Bay. P-J photo by Nicholas L. Dean 5/13/2008 - STOW — The Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is looking to secure lakefront property in the Wells Bay area, and has the support of the North Harmony Town Board to go after grant funding. Speaking to Town Board members Monday, John Jablonski III, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy executive director, explained that the conservancy cannot apply for state grant funds without the town's endorsement. Additionally, Jablonski said Bettina Wilkinson has signed a contract to sell 3.5 acres to the conservancy, which includes 208 feet of lakeshore known as Sandy Bottom. ''We will pursue the conservation of this property lakeshore site in North Harmony regardless of our success obtaining State Environmental Protection Funds,'' Jablonski said in his letter to the Town Board. ''If state funding is secured, we can conserve this site more quickly and may attract other funding to conserve additional lake sites of high water quality or ecological importance on or near the lake.'' Adjacent to the northwest of the end of Wells Bay Road, the property is south of the yard and home of James and Bettina Wilkinson. According to Jablonski, the waterfront is a boating site and the land is heavily forested with a perennial stream and various small wetlands. ''The conservancy is acquiring this site to conserve the quality and quantity of water stored, filtered and transported through this site, conserve the important habitats for water-dependent species such as frogs, salamanders, snakes, turtles, waterfowl and various mammals, and to conserve the opportunity for the public to continue using the state waters and lake bottom adjacent to this land parcel for boating, swimming, wading and fishing for this and future generations,'' Jablonski wrote. Question was raised about the value, assessment and sale price of the parcel, but was decided it did not need to be known for the Town Board to approve the Conservancy's intent to pursue state grant money. ''I think it's important we preserve anything on the lake, regardless of monetary compensation,'' said Councilman Art Thomas before motioning to approve Jablonski's request. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ralph Whitney and passed in a 3-0 vote, with Town Supervisor Sally Carlson being the third vote. Additionally, Jablonski said the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy hopes to seek funding for an additional site in the town of Ellery.   For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com