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.
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.
Warming lakes worldwide could mean more toxic algal blooms
Warming Lakes Worldwide Could Mean More Toxic Algal Blooms
A first-ever global survey of lakes links climate change to increased blooms
Happening today!
DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EARTH IN MIND:
The Compelling Need for Sustainable Community Development and Environmental Protection
Date: Thursday, October 17, Tompkins County Public Library, Borg-Warner Room
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
How do we meet the goals of human development today without sacrificing the needs of the economy, society, and nature tomorrow? As the organizing principle behind this delicate balancing act, sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of nature with the social, political, and economic challenges faced by humanity. Despite the long-term discussion of sustainable development principles, most political leaders have felt compelled to prioritize economic growth models over more sustainable alternatives.
In this evening event hosted by the Environmental Management Council, a group of area experts will bring the discussion home to Tompkins County and share their thoughts on sustainable community development.
David West, TC Department of Planning and Sustainability, on how here we build and how we shape new development at the neighborhood and regional scale is at least as important as how we build individual buildings.
Brent Katzman, Warren Real Estate, on the challenge of meeting green development goals without exacerbating the already high cost of housing.
Nick Goldsmith, City and Town of Ithaca, on the goals of the City’s Green New Deal and what we can expect moving forward in 2020.
Noah Demarest, STREAM Collaborative, on designing for longevity, recent projects, and successes and failures in the pursuit of sustainable development in Ithaca.
Lauren Gabuzzi, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, on how creating and incorporating transportation requirements in building code can play a substantial role in developing environmentally friendly cities.
George Franz, Associate Professor, City and Regional Planning, Cornell University, on the new “Sponge City” initiative in China.
Refreshments* & Networking: 7:00 p.m. *Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, cups, or mugs. Thank you.
Contact: EMC Chair Brian Eden, 272-8595
Several events are being held today to discuss environment in Ithaca.
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County are sponsoring an event called the Ithaca Water Forum. Several panelists, including State Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, will be speaking about how to explore advancing a broader water agenda in New York’s 2020 legislative session and beyond to better align local and state policies. It will be held at 6 to 8:30 p.m. in The Space At Greenstar.
The Tompkins County Environment Management Council will be holding an event called Development with the Earth in mind at the BorgWarner Room of the Tompkins County Public Library. This event will feature several panelists such as Nick Goldsmith who is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City and Town of Ithaca, David West with the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability, Noah Demarest of STREAM Collaborative, etc. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Lakes worldwide are experiencing more severe algal blooms
Lakes worldwide are experiencing more severe algal blooms
The intensity of summer algal blooms has increased over the past three decades, according to a first-ever global survey of dozens of large, freshwater lakes, which was conducted by Carnegie’s Jeff Ho …
