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Stand Up for Cayuga Lake!

In the heart of upstate NY lies 11 lakes called the Finger Lakes. The lakes are long, narrow, and oriented in the north–south direction. Carved out by glaciers around two million years ago, these lakes are now the home of over 1.2 million people and boasts a thriving economy in the wine and craft beer industries. Cayuga Lake, the second largest of the Finger Lakes, is about 40 miles long and reaches a depth of approximately 435 ft at its deepest point. As the main source of public drinking water for at least 40,000 people, it is important to safeguard the health of the lake.

Cayuga Lake might look pristine, but it is threatened by industry and it is already showing signs of distress.

Cayuga Lake is being jeopardized by many factors such as invasive species, inadequate treatment of wastewater, and emerging contaminants. Additionally, more intense weather events caused by climate change increases farm runoff and erosion of silt, leading to nutrient loading. Data indicates the increase in nutrients coupled with higher temperatures has been leading to harmful algal blooms.

Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) is an independent advocacy group that is working to protect Cayuga Lake. We are addressing industry polluters in an effort to highlight the need for remediation of industrial contamination. Based in Ithaca, CLEAN is working with researchers, local environmental groups, and a legal team to address water quality issues on Cayuga Lake. We are affiliated with the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network. CLEAN has fiscal sponsorship through the Chris Dennis Environment Fund. We are working to hold industry polluters accountable and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation responsible for protecting a resource that belongs to ALL of us: Cayuga Lake - from the waves up above to the salt down below.

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  • Cornell University Lake Source Cooling SPDES Permit

    Cornell LSC Cover Letter

    Cornell LSC Fact Sheet

    Cornell LSC Final Permit

    Cornell LSC Responsiveness Summary


  • Current Projects

    Salt Mining:

    Every day Cargill, Inc. operates a salt mine 2200 feet below Cayuga Lake with mining through permitted reserves under about 22% of Cayuga Lake. As the mine passes Taughannock Park and approaches Cayuga Power, the strong limestone that helps prevent the lake from hydraulically connecting with the mine is thinner due to glacial gouging in the last ice age. CLEAN’s geology advisers believe mining in these northern reserves should end and that Cargill should not be allowed to ream a 4th shaft at 1001 Ridge Road, Lansing, NY. Even if the mine closed today, there is a very real risk of the mine flooding and of saturated brine then venting into Cayuga Lake for more than 200 years. As a result of salt mining, the sodium content of the lake water is already twice the level recommended for people suffering from hypertension.

    Coal Ash Landfill:

    CLEAN is currently addressing issues regarding retiring the Cayuga Power Plant on the east shore of Cayuga Lake and concerns that leachate from Heorot Energy’s coal ash landfill could be affecting groundwater and water quality of the lake. CLEAN hired a consulting firm to review records and options for remediation of Cayuga Power’s coal ash landfill. Environmental researchers at CLEAN continue to sample and analyze discharges from the landfill into Cayuga Lake, which contain heavy metals and which total up to 30M gallons per year.

    Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs):

    In a study to determine causes of HABs, CLEAN researchers have been monitoring water quality on Cayuga Lake with a Eureka Manta+35 Water Probe which records lake water quality measures such as pH, temperature, conductivity, depth, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, sodium, chloride, chlorophyll a, and cyanobacteria. CLEAN has recently resumed water quality research work on Discover Cayuga’s weekly cruises on the MV Teal at the south end of Cayuga Lake. Some CLEAN members are trained as “HABs harriers” and patrol portions of lake shoreline in cooperation with the DEC, Community Science Institute, & the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network.

    Latest News

    • Our Children’s Earth v. Cargill
      May 23, 2020
    • Cargill Agrees to Pay $318,000, Curb Salt Dust and Salt Runoff into Cayuga Lake in Proposed Bid to Settle a Federal Lawsuit
      May 23, 2020
    • Salting our freshwater lakes
      December 2, 2019
    • More Salt in Our Water Is Creating Scary New ‘Chemical Cocktails’
      February 19, 2019
    • Community Rallies for Cayuga Lake’s Day in Court
      November 26, 2018
    • Despite a century of salt mining, Cargill getting local pushback on environmental issues
      December 14, 2017 , Ithaca Journal
    • SHOW TIME! Calls Mount for End to Secrecy at Cargill’s Cayuga Salt Mine
      December 8, 2017 , Waterfront Online Blog
    • Legal struggle over salt mine continues
      November 29, 2017 , Ithaca Times
    • Letters – I Am Not A Bond Villain – Setting The Record Straight
      September 29, 2017 , Lansing Star
    • Cuomo Risks Turning Cayuga Into New York’s Great Salt Lake
      September 15, 2017 , Waterfront Online Blog
    • Assembly members call to stop Cayuga Lake salt mining expansion
      July 21, 2017 , Spectrum News
    • Letters – The Risk of Continued Salt Mining Under Cayuga Lake
      July 21, 2017 , Lansing Star

    See more News

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    1 day ago

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now
    www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/03/02/climate/atlantic-ocean-climate-change.html?referringSource... ... See MoreSee Less

    In the Atlantic Ocean, Subtle Shifts Hint at Dramatic Dangers

    www.nytimes.com

    A warming atmosphere is causing a branch of the ocean’s powerful Gulf Stream to weaken, some scientists fear.
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    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    6 days ago

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now
    CALL CUOMO TODAY AND ASK HIM TO DENY GREENIDGE’S EXPANSION ON SENECA LAKE: 518-474-8390"Our planet is in crisis. By every metric it is clear: Sea levels are rising; ice caps are shrinking. California is burning, the Arctic is melting and deserts are flooding.” – Governor Andrew Cuomo, 2021 State of the State AddressGovernor Cuomo signed into law the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, designed to protect our communities and ensure a sustainable future.Why then, would Governor Cuomo allow Greenidge’s inefficient gas-powered plant to expand on Seneca Lake? Why would WE allow it?Don’t let this private Bitcoin operation burn more fossil fuels and emit more GHGs in a community that depends on fresh air and clean water for their personal health and for the health of their vibrant agricultural tourist economy. CALL CUOMO TODAY AND ASK HIM TO DENY GREENIDGE’S BITCOIN EXPANSION ON SENECA LAKE: 518-474-8390.There’s about as much scientific consensus on human-caused climate change as there is about gravity. We can’t let Governor Cuomo—who is a climate leader-- allow this stain on the Finger Lakes region. ... See MoreSee Less

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    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    1 week ago

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    DEC Emails on Burning Toxic PFAS at Norlite Incinerator Prompt Calls for Probe by NYS Inspector General

    waterfrontonline.blog

    COHOES, Feb. 12, 2021 — Recently disclosed emails on the burning of PFAS-laced fire-fighting foam at an incinerator 10 miles north of Albany have prompted calls for the state Inspector General to i....
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    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    2 weeks ago

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now
    SHALL NEW YORKERS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR AND WATER?.....FINGER LAKES LEGISLATORS SAY 'NO', BUT VOTERS GET TO OVERRULE THEM IN NOVEMBER: waterfrontonline.blog/2021/02/18/shall-new-yorkers-have-a-constitutional-right-to-clean-water-and... ... See MoreSee Less

    Shall New Yorkers Have a Constitutional Right to Clean Water and Clean Air? Voters Will Decide in Nov. 2 Referendum

    waterfrontonline.blog

    ALBANY, Feb. 18, 2021 — New Yorkers will vote in November on whether to add the “right to clean air and water and a healthful environment” to the state constitution, joining a nationwide “Gree...
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    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now

    2 weeks ago

    CLEAN - Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now
    The Canandaigua Watershed Association is looking to promote a less chemical-laden alternative to road flares used to light up the lake to mark the end of summer. ... See MoreSee Less

    Man on a mission: Save the Finger Lakes without losing the spark

    www.democratandchronicle.com

    Canandaigua Lake man promotes healthier alternative to chemical road flares that light up shorelines each year during Ring of Fire ceremonies.
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    #CayugaLake_EAN

    • *Who carries out operations in a lake? A sturgeon. *What do you get when you cross a lake and a
      by cayugalake_ean 11 months ago
      *Who carries out operations in a lake? A sturgeon. *What do you get when you cross a lake and a
    • We wrapped up a week long study of the north end of Cayuga Lake yesterday and dropped off samples to
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      We wrapped up a week long study of the north end of Cayuga Lake yesterday and dropped off samples to
    • Cedric Mason, @stephaniearedmond and @howarth.marina We’re collecting data with the Manta +35 on @discovercayugalake today. Beautiful to be out on
      by cayugalake_ean 2 years ago
      Cedric Mason,  @stephaniearedmond  and  @howarth .marina We’re collecting data with the Manta +35 on  @discovercayugalake  today. Beautiful to be out on
    • Prepping for a Great Lakes water conference
      by cayugalake_ean 1 month ago
      Prepping for a Great Lakes water conference
    • Event tomorrow!
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      Event tomorrow!
    • Thank you Giving is Gorges for offering an excellent fundraising platform for local nonprofits!
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      Thank you Giving is Gorges for offering an excellent fundraising platform for local nonprofits!
    • The 2019 CLEAN/CSI collaboration to record lake water quality in the north end of Cayuga Lake wrapped up with a
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      The 2019 CLEAN/CSI collaboration to record lake water quality in the north end of Cayuga Lake wrapped up with a
    • The DEC has finalized the Cornell University Lake Source Cooling SPDES Permit. You can find links to the permit on
      by cayugalake_ean 9 months ago
      The DEC has finalized the Cornell University Lake Source Cooling SPDES Permit. You can find links to the permit on
    • Please join us in a fun distraction during our collective isolation. Take a “social distancing“ selfie near Cayuga Lake, one
      by cayugalake_ean 11 months ago
      Please join us in a fun distraction during our collective isolation. Take a “social distancing“ selfie near Cayuga Lake, one
    • Members of CLEAN took a tour of Cornell’s Lake Source Cooling Facility today. It was very interesting and informative.
      by cayugalake_ean 9 months ago
      Members of CLEAN took a tour of Cornell’s Lake Source Cooling Facility today. It was very interesting and informative.
    • Spring 2020 CLEAN Newsletter
      by cayugalake_ean 9 months ago
      Spring 2020 CLEAN Newsletter
    • Serena McCloud and @stephaniearedmond are tabling for CLEAN at @greenstar_coop until 7pm today. Stop by and sign our postcards!
      by cayugalake_ean 2 years ago
      Serena McCloud and  @stephaniearedmond  are tabling for CLEAN at  @greenstar_coop  until 7pm today. Stop by and sign our postcards!
    • Please stop by Gimme! Coffee on Main Street in Trumansburg to view the Art Show Fundraiser for CLEAN. Donations from
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      Please stop by Gimme! Coffee on Main Street in Trumansburg to view the Art Show Fundraiser for CLEAN. Donations from
    • Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now is collaborating with @communityscienceinstitute to conduct water quality research in the north end of Cayuga
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now is collaborating with  @communityscienceinstitute  to conduct water quality research in the north end of Cayuga
    • Fall 2020 CLEAN Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/a2e8a5350f09/fall-2020-clean-newsletter
      by cayugalake_ean 3 months ago
      Fall 2020 CLEAN Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/a2e8a5350f09/fall-2020-clean-newsletter
    • Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) is sponsoring a showing of The Human Element on November 6 at Cinemapolis, 120
      by cayugalake_ean 1 year ago
      Cayuga Lake Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) is sponsoring a showing of The Human Element on November 6 at Cinemapolis, 120
    • CLEAN is underway with the 2020 Cayuga Lake Water Monitoring Program
      by cayugalake_ean 9 months ago
      CLEAN is underway with the 2020 Cayuga Lake Water Monitoring Program
    • CLEAN Summer Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/11d102fc65c4/clean-summer-newsletter
      by cayugalake_ean 6 months ago
      CLEAN Summer Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/11d102fc65c4/clean-summer-newsletter
    • https://waterfrontonline.blog/2020/05/21/cargill-agrees-to-pay-318000-curb-salt-dust-and-salt-runoff-into-cayuga-lake-in-proposed-bid-to-settle-a-federal-lawsuit/
      by cayugalake_ean 10 months ago
      https://waterfrontonline.blog/2020/05/21/cargill-agrees-to-pay-318000-curb-salt-dust-and-salt-runoff-into-cayuga-lake-in-proposed-bid-to-settle-a-federal-lawsuit/
    • We spent the day working on a collaborative monitoring partnership with the @communityscienceinstitute. Their lab analysis has been helpful to
      by cayugalake_ean 7 months ago
      We spent the day working on a collaborative monitoring partnership with the  @communityscienceinstitute . Their lab analysis has been helpful to

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