Sunday, November 12, 2023
Sunday, November 05, 2023
Dredging In Chautauqua Lake - Post Journal
If you have been to meetings about the management of Chautauqua Lake’s plants or algae in the last 30 years, then you’ve likely heard someone proclaim the need to “dredge the lake” or “dredge the outlet.”
The Chautauqua Lake Outlet was dredged over 100 years ago for steamboat navigation. Canals leading to the lake have also been dredged. Streams produce deltas – sand and gravel bars where the current slows and where the stream drops its coarse sediment loads. Dredging navigation channels for marinas and boat access at creek mouths has happened routinely through the years on this lake. Municipalities have dredged the bars at the mouth of various streams. In a natural stream system, those sediment “crescents” act as dams and slow water upstream, causing it to flood its floodplain and drop debris and sediments upstream, with less going into the lake.
Many owners of creekfront properties want creek mouths dredged to reduce the incidence of flooding and property damage. Some with boats in creeks upstream want the mouths of the creeks dredged so they can motor in and out of the lake. Some delta deposits, such as at Dutch Hollow Creek, can extend so far into the lake that they can be navigational hazards to unaware night boaters. The removal of sediment crescents at creek mouths can have negative impacts though, such as allowing the stream to push sediments faster and further into the lake and accelerating bottom erosion in the stream, resulting in even more sediment and nutrients flowing into the lake. Dredging deltas can also remove important fish spawning and nesting habitat.
Presently, some people are suggesting dredging organic sediments on a scale large enough to try to reduce internal phosphorus loading to the lake, while others suggest dredging shallow vegetated areas such as Burtis Bay from 3-5 feet down to 11 feet or more to make it difficult for plants to grow to the surface and interfere with boating. In 2012, Chautauqua County hired Ecologic to undertake a dredging feasibility study for several creek mouths and Burtis Bay. The resulting 2013 Dredging Feasibility Report projected that it would cost roughly $3.97 million to dredge 7.4 acres of Burtis Bay down a depth of 2.5 feet , which is not deep enough to make that area free of plant growth. Due to the presence of arsenic in Burtis Bay sediments, it was determined at that time that sediments dredged from this bay would not be able to be used as land cover and, instead, would have to go to a secure landfill such as the Chautauqua County Landfill, with significantly higher cost. Estimates were also made for dredging 4 acres at Bemus Creek, 1 acre at Dutch Hollow Creek, 6.5 acres at Goose Creek, and 7.5 acres at Mud Creek. These estimates, plus the Burtis Bay estimate, totaled $8,977,000, with additional costs for purchasing land for staging and dewatering sediments and for special treatment of arsenic contaminated sediments, etc. The rough total figure came to nearly $10 million to dredge just over 26 acres. The report concluded that, “the dredging of nearshore areas of this lake is feasible, but costly.” It went on to say, “Dredging can help mitigate past sediment deposits, but effective control measures must be in place to reduce the rate of future sediment deposition.” This report can be found at the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance website at chautauqualakealliance.org.
In reviewing this report, one may conclude that small-scale channel maintenance dredging for marina access and creek mooring is likely to be economically feasible to continue, but large-scale, high volume dredging to increase depth to below the zone where light powers plant growth would seem to be very expensive and cost prohibitive. For now, the best we can do is take effective regulatory and voluntary actions to capture and infiltrate stormwater and to control erosion from the watershed, shoreline, and lake bottom.
Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy is a non-profit organization working to preserve and enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecological health of the lakes, streams, wetlands and watersheds of the Chautauqua region. For more information, visit chautauquawatershed.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Monday, August 14, 2023
Public Meeting on Chautauqua Lake Boat User Fees Set for August 15
Chautauqua Lake
Chautauqua County will be holding another public meeting to discuss Chautauqua Lake boat user fees.
The meeting will take place 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 15 in the Legislative Chambers of the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.
County Executive PJ Wendel said at a meeting held April 12 on boat user fees that the fee would be used to help fund lake maintenance efforts that are currently being done as well to help fund the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance, who uses a metric system to distribute funds for lake efforts. Wendel said this would help reduce the amount local foundations have to support lake efforts.
For 2023, total funding requests for lakes and waterways is $2,953,296 with only $234,000 available funding from the 2% occupancy tax that goes toward protection of lakes and streams. The other 3% of the occupancy tax is designated toward promotion of tourism.
Wendel said in April that a committee to study the boat fee could include members from fishing associations, boat clubs, elected officials, and travel and tourism.
Should a recommendation to create a boat user fee be approved by the Chautauqua County Legislature, it would still require Home Rule approval from New York State in order to be implemented.
Tuesday’s meeting is open to the public and will be live streamed through the County’s YouTube page.
Those with questions about the meeting may contact Rebecca Wurster at the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development at (716) 363-3620 or at wursterr@chqgov.com.
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Sunday, July 16, 2023
Why We Are NOT HEADED For Anoth Housing Bubble
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9 Ways to Get More Money
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Saturday, May 20, 2023
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Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Saturday, March 18, 2023
2023 Chautauqua Lake Homes Pricing: What To Expect
Hey there! As an expert in the real estate industry, I'm excited to share our latest video with you. In this video, I share our insights on the housing market in the Lake Chautauqua area. Whether you're a homeowner or looking to buy in the area, you won't want to miss out on the valuable advice we have to offer.
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Thanks for tuning in to our video on the Lake Chautauqua housing market. We hope that the insights we shared will be valuable to you as you navigate the world of real estate. Remember, the key to success is knowledge, and we're here to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions or want to learn more about our services, don't hesitate to get in touch.
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Friday, March 03, 2023
IDA Helping New Hotel Lenhart Ownership
Pictured are renderings of the proposed Hotel Lenhart. Submitted photos
Chautauqua County officials are doing their part to help a Bemus Point hotel become a year-round attraction.
During this week’s county Industrial Development Agency meeting, the board approved a $500,000 loan to Chautauqua Lake Hospitality, LLC for equipment and working capital for Hotel Lenhart. Board members also started the process to give the company a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement. The PILOT would be for 15 years for sales and mortgage tax exemption and property tax abatement. They are eligible as a “tourism destination” business.
Rosie Strandburg with the county IDA discussed the resolutions before the vote. She noted that developers Jill and Bill Curry are proposing to “purchase and reimagine” the hotel, which sits on Chautauqua Lake. “The $9.8 million budget includes property acquisition, building renovation, site improvements, furniture fixtures and equipment and working capital,” she said.
Strandburg said the project will revitalize one of the last “grand hotels” on the lake, creating a four-season destination that will attract visitors to Bemus Point and generate commercial activity.
She said the project will create 65 temporary jobs during construction and 46 full-time equivalent positions when the hotel is ready for operations. That number is expected to increase to 58 full-time positions after three years of operation.
Pictured are renderings of the proposed Hotel Lenhart.
DEVELOPERS DESCRIBE PROJECT
Bill Curry said he has more than 40 years of experience as a building designer while Jill has been in the hospitality business for 35 years. “This is ideal for us. Restoration is my specialty,” he said.
Curry said the building needs significant upgrades in safety. They also want to design the building so it has full access for anyone who comes to the campus.
For the lounge, they plan on offering breakfast, lunch and light dinners. There will also be patios installed.
Although the property will be remodled, those who have been to the hotel before will still recognize it. “The goal is to keep the hotel looking like it always has, just dressed up,” Curry said.
There is an exterior building which was a laundry facility. That is going to become a stand-alone bakery and creamery. “Although the main kitchen of the hotel will do baking as well, we’ll have some smaller things, so people can come and visit that area directly,” he said.
The changes, Curry explained, will make Hotel Lenhart an attraction for the general public. “We want to make this a walking campus for everyone to visit. We don’t just want guests to come for our hotel,” he said.
He envisions art shows and farmers markets on the grounds. “The community can enjoy this campus as well as guests year round,” Curry said.
The pool will be upgraded so it can be open until Jan. 1. “It will be heated, steaming, and hopefully it will be an attraction for all to enjoy,” he said.
Curry salvaged three greenhouses from Lake Champlain a few years ago, which were built in 1905. He plans on bringing one of them to Bemus Point and use it as a solarium.
The employee housing will be relocated and the current housing area will be turned into a spa.
The hotel has 57 rooms. It will be reduced to 40 so every room can have a bathroom and some rooms can be combined for suites. “We won’t be eliminating any walls. We’re going to keep the building as it is. We’re going to be modernizing it and adding some things in places to make it better for our guests ,” he said.
The fire escapes will be improved and enclosed. “I’m a code enthusiast. This building will be the benchmark for code compliance for Chautauqua County at all levels,” Curry said.
Changes will be made to the roof top, including new stair towers, a full access bathroom and a fully functioning bar. “You will have a 360 degree view of the lake from that area,” he said.
Jill Curry said the hotel will have places where people can gather around a fireplace, enjoying a glass of wine or cup of coffee. “We intend to create some very magical rooms,” she said.
Jill Curry noted they plan on having an online presence and will be available year-round. They hope to get up to four massage therapists for the spa. “There seems to be some demand for that,” she said.
Jill Curry said they are looking at doing things like holding wine dinners monthly to draw guests from Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
The dining room will be renamed the “Crystal Room” and can be used for life celebrations such as small weddings, birthday parties, retirements, graduations and more.
Jill Curry said their daughter is a professional baker and will be overseeing the stand-alone bakery.
TIMELINE
Bill Curry said they would like to close by April 30. They think the project will take around nine months to complete and open after the work is done.
The project is contingent upon other funds coming from the state. Jill Curry said they are seeking a $2 million Restore New York Grant, which the village has applied for. They don’t know when they will hear about that. They are also applying for a second $2 million grant, which is due April 15. Notification for that grant is expected in May or June. They’re also working with M&T Bank. Their own cash in is $1.2 million.
The IDA Board of Directors unanimously approved the resolutions for the loan and to start the progress for the tax breaks.
IDA Chairman Gary Henry thanked the Currys for their presentation. “When you’re taking on a project this big and this important to the community, it’s nice to know that the people that are involved know what they’re doing and it’s something they’ve been involved with for a long time. We certainly wish you the best and hope all these other grants and all these things can come together and we can move ahead on this,” he said.
For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: chautauqualakehomes.com
Wednesday, March 01, 2023
Officials react to plan for Chautauqua Lake
OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Ellery Town Supervisor Larry Anderson talks to county leaders about his plan to improve and protect Chautauqua Lake.
With the demise of the Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Agency, the leader of the Ellery Town Board has a new six-point plan to improve the lake, something that has at least intrigued many elected
officials.
Supervisor Larry Anderson submitted his plan to the Chautauqua County Legislature. It was previously published in The Post-Journal on Feb. 11 and was read aloud during this month’s meeting. The plan is as follows:
¯ Reach agreement on an overarching goal for Chautauqua Lake management among lakeside municipalities, Chautauqua County and New York state leaders using a slightly modified state DEC mission statement as follows: To conserve, improve and protect Chautauqua Lake natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land, and air pollution to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Chautauqua County and their overall economic and social well-being. The goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.
¯ Contract with a major university-led consortium of scientists, engineers, protect managers, and other key disciplines to develop a multi-year Chautauqua Lake Management Plan with near- and long-term implementation plans, capital and operating expense estimates, quantitative progress measurements, and potential funding sources.
¯ Request the county legislature allocate a significant portion of the now excess $7 million of the $7.7 million designated for clean water in the county’s American Rescue Plan Act budget which is no longer needed for Phase 2 of the westside sewer extension. This would be used for development and initial implementation of the Chautauqua Lake Management Plan.
¯ Revisit countywide funding instead of special district taxation for Chautauqua Lake protection and rehabilitation. Consider the use of existing property, sales and occupancy tax revenue with the potential for increases in such tax rats including review of occupancy tax exemptions and enhanced collection of current occupancy tax levies.
¯ Form an organization of lakeside municipality mayors and supervisors supported by Chautauqua County and New York state unaffiliated with lake organizations, to oversee development and implementation of the new Chautauqua Lake Management Plan and manage lake and watershed activities consistent with the goal established at the outset.
¯ Encourage state Sen. George Borrello and Assemblyman Andy Goodell to further develop and use their influence to garner additional state funding for the New York state-owned Chautauqua Lake and assist the state DEC in fulfilling all their mission/goal requirements, with increased focus on improvement of the lake and enhancement of health, safety, welfare, economic prosperity, and social well-being of people.
At the legislature meeting, Anderson thanked everyone for considering his plan. “As everybody knows, it’s taken 50, 60 years for the lake to get this bad. It’s going to get fixed overnight. This is going to take some time but I really feel that our six-point plan is the way to start. If we can get enough support and everybody comes together with the townships and villages around the lake, we can finally go in the right direction,” he said.
In Anderson’s letter, he stated that certain characteristics must be part of any improvement effort. Those include:
¯ Build and maintain public trust with clear and frequent communication, transparency, logic and consistency.
¯ Have elected government leadership to represent taxpayers’ interests supported with skilled and unbiased multidisciplinary support.
¯ Limit and manage overlapping organizational roles and special interests to ensure clear responsibility and accountability.
¯ Have an implementation focus with science and technology to effectively execute recommendations with efficiency and accountability.
¯ Have project and program performance confirmation with before and after measurement, cost-benefit evaluation, and continuous accountability.
¯ Recognize that consensus may not be attainable if on too specific a position and that value of positions may be neutralized of all have a veto.
REACTION TO PLAN
Both Mayville Mayor Rick Syper and Bemus Point Mayor Jeff Molinar were at the February legislature meeting and expressed their initial support for the plan, especially for the idea to form an organization of lakeside municipal leaders made up of mayors and supervisors.
Additionally, Molinar wants to see the county use some ARPA funds to help the lake, but did not specify at the meeting how he wants to see it spent.
After the meeting, Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, who is an Ellery resident, said he is interested in the proposal. “Personally, I think it is exciting, the concept of getting all the towns and villages around the lake agreeing on what should be done and working together to help the lake,” he said.
At this point, Chagnon said he is letting the county executive take the lead.
County Executive PJ Wendel said he appreciates the proposed plan and added that he will be laying out his plan for the lake next month when he gives his State of the County address. “Several of these proposals have already been talked about. … I’ve talked for about year now utilizing the outside nine elected officials – the town supervisors and village mayors around the lake,” he said.
Wendel said he plans on meeting with the mayors and supervisors around the lake sometime in March to discuss his plan, what Ellery has proposed, and see what others’ opinions are. He also wants to get the Chautauqua Lake Association, the Chautauqua Lake Partnership, the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, and Chautauqua Institution involved and have a scientific roundtable with the Jefferson Project at Lake George. “Those things are moving forward. We’re going to continue to get those discussions going,” he said.
Earlier this month, Chautauqua Town Supervisor Don Emhardt expressed his support for boat fees. Although the state would have a final say about that, Wendel said that is something he talked to Emhardt about and generally supports the concept.
Wendel did seem skeptical about using the ARPA funds for Chautauqua Lake. “The $7 million they’re asking for, what do you want it for? The county cannot give municipalities $7 million. We have several initiatives coming. I do have several proposals that I’ve been working on with our finance chairs. These will be laid out when I give my State of the County,” he said.
The State of the County address is expected to be given on March 22.
For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: chautauqualakehomes.com
Monday, February 27, 2023
Audubon 1st Friday March 3: “Chautauqua County, an Angler’s Paradise”
Taylor West, an avid multi-species fisherman and project manager for the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance, will present “Chautauqua County, an Angler’s Paradise.”
With a focus on steelhead, West will highlight some of the county’s most productive waterbodies, the game fish species that inhabit them, and popular angling techniques to utilize for a more successful day on the water.
West attended Audubon Day Camps for many years as a camper and as a counselor-in-training. In 2016 he received ACNC’s Ryan Exline Memorial Scholarship that is awarded to a local resident who is pursuing a degree in the natural sciences and is passionate about the natural world.
Using his scholarship at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks, West earned a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science with a focus on Fisheries and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
A lifelong resident of Chautauqua County, West recently started a fishing guide business, West’s Angling Adventures. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing on many of Chautauqua County’s lakes and streams.
You are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and stay after the program to visit with the speaker and the program participants.
The fee is $8 or $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9 to 15.
Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling 716-569-2345 or through “Programs and Events” at AudubonCNC.org. Walk-ins are welcome.
Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa. You can visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike, snowshoe or cross country ski over five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.
The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.
To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.
For More Information On Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate and Living Visit: chautauqualakehomes.com