Focus: The committee’s primary focus is land use issues that affect the quality of the Canandaigua Lake experience for both residents and visitors. Emphasis will be on land use practices that help improve the quality of water flowing to the lake and preserve the surrounding shore and scenic vistas from overdevelopment.
Duties and Activities:
- Evaluate and provide input to municipalities on any major projects that may have negative impacts on the lake and its surrounds
- Evaluate and recommend to the board projects we have been asked to support financially
- Identify issues/concerns that affect the watershed; develop recommendations aimed at minimizing these threats
- Continue to build or strengthen value-added partnerships joining forces with those partners to improve watershed health
Major Projects Include:
- Watercraft Steward Program – Coordination with the Finger Lakes Institute, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, NYS Parks, DEC, Sheriff’s Marine Patrol to coordinate program activities, (including scheduling, recruiting, and training) and ensure program funding.
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Programing – Coordination with the New York State Hemlock Initiative on education and outreach.
- Coordination and support for wetland restoration projects that are co-funded with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (Sucker Brook wetland restoration, Fall Brook, etc).
Activites:
Assistance with wetland restoration initiatives through innovative public/private partnerships with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council and our watershed municipalities.
The Watercraft Steward Program at the lake’s two public launch areas, partnering with the Finger Lakes Institute and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council to prevent aquatic invasive species.
Partnerships with the Ontario and Yates County Soil and Water Conservation Districts for programs delivered to the agricultural community to promote best practices for soil health and nutrient management.
Programs to educate residents on the impacts of invasive species and opportunites to engage volunteers in invasive species scouting.