CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

New York

AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS

by Louis Meunier4th grade, Boght Hills Elementary

Abstract The aim of my study is to find the characteristics of a New York county and diagnose its environmental health. My county is Chautauqua County NY. To conduct this study, I used search terms, found newspaper articles, and read the websites of government offices, such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Through my research I learned that

1. Chautauqua County has a lot of manufacturing industries in it.2. Chautauqua County uses a lot of hydro-electric and nuclear power. 3. Chautauqua County’s main lake, Lake Chautauqua, is very polluted, and has invasive species taking over.

MAPS

Map of WatershedsMap of Chautauqua County

In Chautauqua County, there are many water

sources-no place is more than 25 miles from open water

There are a lot of forests in Chautauqua County

Background-Habitats

Picture of Chautauqua Gorge State Forest

Most important industry: Manufacturing-9,833

workers employed in 2013

Second most important industry: Health care and social assistance-facing a shortage of professionals

Third most important: Retail- Growing

Background-Industries

Water resource: Chautauqua Lake- home to bass

and muskellunge

Another water resource: Chadakoin River-powers mills

Background- Water and Soil

Main non-renewable energy source: Nuclear

Main renewable energy source: Hydro-electric

Background-Energy

1 landfill

3 regulated transfer stations

A lot of registered transfer stations

No composting facilities or waste-to-energy stations

Background- Waste

Habitats

Challenges Invasive species in

Lake Chautauqua Pollution in Lake

Chautauqua Cities could start

growing, destroying forest habitat

Solutions Try to control the

invasive species Watch what we are

throwing away, keep chemicals from coming in

Stop growing cities, grow in other ways

Industries

Challenges Bigger industries

make the same thing, could cause closing

Cause pollution Not enough people

become the needed types of workers, e.g. doctors, teachers

Solutions Try to expand Use different sources

to produce the things

Open new places to study the job, offer more money

Water and Soil

Challenges Outbreak of algae

blooms and growth of aquatic vegetation

Health of lakes and rivers in danger

Pesticides and fertilizers used in farming pollutes soil and water

Solutions Keep the amount of

algae and aquatic vegetation under control

Do not use as many boats, are polluting, keep chemicals out of water

Use more organic pesticides and fertilizers

Energy

Challenges Lots of nuclear

power used, can build up be unhealthy

Low amounts of healthy renewable energy used, other than hydro-electric

Solutions Limit use of nuclear

power Increase the amount

of renewable energy use

Waste

Challenges There is not a lot of

room for landfills, made closer to homes which is polluting

Transfer stations can cause air pollution and asthma

Solutions Don’t use landfills as

much, which are polluting, use different ways to dispose of trash

Use less polluting ways to dispose of trash

Chautauqua County should improve its type of energy sources used, for example, reduce the amount of nuclear power.

It should also try to make Lake Chautauqua, otherwise a great lake, more healthy and free of invasive species.

And finally, try to improve its health and social living industry by, for example, try to get more professionals to work for the industry.

Conclusion