The Conservancy has succeeded in purchasing the Wells Bay Lakeshore Forest site! This 3.5-acre site, with 210’ of wild forested shoreline, is located on the west end of Wells Bay Road in North Harmony on Chautauqua Lake. According to CWC Executive Director John Jablonski, “The previous property owners had the choice of selling this site for residential development or selling it for conserva-tion. Fortunately, they love Chautauqua Lake and its wildlife and chose to sell it for conservation.” CWC would like to thank the 275 individuals, families, businesses and organizations who contributed to this project over the last four years. This project was also made possible with grants from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, the Lenna Foundation, the Jessie Smith Darrah Fund and United Refining Company, with financing provided by Northwest Savings Bank. This site provides critical watershed functions such as water storage, nutrient and pollu-tion filtration, erosion control, and wildlife and vegetation habitat, all of which will help maintain the water quality, ecological health and scenic beauty of Chautauqua Lake. This site hosts a series of springs, wetlands and small streams providing excellent habitat for water-dependent

species including salamanders, frogs, snakes, and a variety of birds such as owls and turkeys. The Conservancy will be developing signs for the site, which will be open to the public in coming months during daylight hours for nature study, wildlife observation and peaceful enjoyment.

Inside: What You Can Do For A Healthy Lake!

WELLS BAY LAKESHORE FOREST PRESERVE ESTABLISHED!

The 26th annual Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament at Chautauqua Golf Club will take place on Monday, June 25, 2012, and the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy will be this year’s beneficiary! Area golf professionals will be paired with local golfers for a day of exciting play and dinner. If you don’t play, you can still join us for cocktails and dinner. You can also help “Score One for the Lake!” by becoming an event sponsor. For more information, visit the CWC’s website at www.chautauquawatershed.com or call tournament event organizers Linda Barber at 716-789-9292 or Jack McKibbin at 716-789-2131.

SCORE ONE FOR THE LAKE!

Executive Director John Jablonski at the CWC’s new Wells Bay Lakeshore Forest Preserve

(Photo by Ann Beebe)

T H E ’S H E D S H E E TT H E ’S H E D S H E E TT H E ’S H E D S H E E T

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy Spring 2012

From left are “Score One for the Lake!” event organizers William Locke (CWC Treasurer), Linda Barber (CWC Co-Vice President), Jack Voelker (Co-Chair Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament), Troy Moss (Head Golf Profes-sional, Chautauqua Golf Club), John Jablonski (CWC Executive Director), and Jack McKibbin (Co-Chair Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament, Chautauqua Golf Club).

Message from the Leadership

Board of Directors:

Michael K. Lyons, President

Linda M. Barber, Co-Vice President

Arthur D. Webster Co-Vice President

William R. Locke, Treasurer

David L. Andersen, Secretary

Janis L. Bowman Donald F. Kimmel Robert J. Lannon

Douglas M. Larson Rebecca L. Nystrom

Janet P. Pry Thomas A. Small David W. Todd

Benjamin C. Webb P. Christian Yates

Staff:

John Jablonski III, Executive Director

Jill R. Eklund, Director of Operations

Patricia Greenstein, Development Assistant

Jane Conroe, Conservationist

Deborah Naybor, Conservationist

The ‘Shed Sheet newsletter

is a publication of the Chautauqua Watershed

Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

founded in 1990 with a mission to preserve and

enhance the water quality, scenic beauty and ecologi-

cal health of the lakes, streams and watersheds of

the Chautauqua region through land conservation and watershed education.

Chautauqua Watershed

Conservancy

A healthy lake requires a healthy watershed contributing clean waters to it. CWC’s land conservation activities, such as conserving the Wells Bay site and other shore lands, help to preserve the watershed’s functions of collecting, storing, filtering and delivering clean waters to our lakes. Your generous commitment to these efforts enabled CWC to conserve a total of one mile of creek bank and shoreline on our region’s lakes over the past year alone!

The activities of landowners individually and collec-tively to enhance and restore more natural shorelines and landscapes to our lakes, streams and watersheds is important for a healthy lake. Farms, both large and small, need to invest in the conservation practices necessary to keep topsoil, fertilizers and manure on the land and out of our tributaries. Several area farms have already undertaken and continue to undertake these best management practices. Our communities must also invest in a healthy lake through their plans, policies, zoning, land use and site plan laws. We are pleased to report that all munici-palities bordering Chautauqua Lake and most covering the lake’s watershed have signed an inter-municipal compact and are participating on the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Inter-Municipal Committee to examine which actions to pursue (such as a model storm water

and erosion control law) to proceed in implementing the recommendations for municipalities from the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan. These municipalities and the Chau-tauqua Lake Management Commission are to be commended for their progress on this to date. In compliance with the US Clean Water Act for “impaired waters,” New York State is issuing “Total Maximum Daily Load” requirements for wastewater treatment plants that discharge phosphorus to Chautauqua Lake. This will require substantial public investment to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities to remove 85-90% of the phosphorus in the wastewater before discharging it to the lake or its tributaries. For decades, we have suffered with the algae blooms and abundant plant growth impacts of excessive phosphorus entering the lake. We cannot afford to put this action off any longer. The economic importance of Chautauqua Lake to taxpayers county-wide and to New York State, as well as its multi-state regional importance, implores the investment of federal, state, local and private foundation funding to upgrade our wastewater facilities. We encourage municipal, district, county, state, federal and foundation leaders to undertake the community engagement, engineering, and formulation of the funding packages necessary for these projects to be implemented. We will each have to contribute to this effort to maintain clean water and a healthy, enjoyable Chautauqua Lake.

Michael K. Lyons, Board President

John Jablonski III, Executive Director

P AGE 2 The ‘Shed Sheet SPRING 2012

A Healthy Lake Requires Your Investment in Green Infrastructure

CWC’s land conservation activities, such as conserving the Wells Bay Lakeshore Forest site

(pictured above), help to preserve the water-shed’s functions of collecting, storing, filtering

and delivering clean waters to our lakes.

Healthy Landscaping for Healthy Waters: What You Can Do!

SPRING 2012 The ‘Shed Sheet P AGE 3

You can help your yard undertake its watershed functions for clean water with the following actions:

• MOW HIGH! Don’t mow your lawn shorter than 2 ¾” to 3”. This will allow it to shade out weeds and promote healthy turf root growth.

• DON’T BAG YOUR CLIPPINGS! Bagging grass clippings is costly since it increases the need for fertilization of your lawn, so mulch grass clippings back into your lawn instead. Once they decompose, its organic matter can help absorb moisture and provide nutrients that will naturally fertilize your lawn.

• DON’T CLUTTER THE GUTTER! Keep your grass clippings out of streets and storm drains.

• SCOOP THE POOP! Pet waste left out in the yard, on sidewalks or on roadsides washes away when it rains and is a major contributor to bacteria problems in local waterways. Dispose of pet waste properly by putting it in a sealed bag in the trash, flushing it down the toilet or burying it in your yard.

• DON’T FLOOD OUR WATERWAYS! Direct roof drains out onto your lawn rather than onto driveways or into storm drains, sanitary sewers or roadside ditches.

• SAVE YOUR TREES! Conserve existing trees and plants and foster the growth of seedlings with tree tubes or fencing to keep deer and other mammals from eating them.

• LET IT GROW! Let grass, plants and tress grow along your streamside or lakeside, creating a 15’ to 50’ unmowed buffer. The deeper roots from these will help control erosion, filter storm water runoff and provide essential fish and wildlife habitat.

• CONTACT THE CWC to learn more about qualifying as a watershed steward and receiving a Watershed Steward sign (pictured as right) recognizing your yard as being part of our Watershed Stewardship program.

Management Commission Sends Out “Homeowner’s Repair Manual for Chautauqua Lake”

In April, the Chautauqua County Chautauqua Lake Management Commission mailed out the brochure entitled, “Homeowner’s Repair Manual for Chautauqua Lake” to 6,000 Chautauqua shore land area residents. This informative brochure was developed with the guidance of representatives of CLMC’s partner organizations. A lake visitor’s manual is to be published soon.

Didn’t receive a copy of the manual? View it online at www.chautauquawatershed.org or request a paper copy by calling the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy at 716-664-2166 or the Chautauqua Lake Association at 716-763-8602.

Have questions on managing your land, grounds or yard? For erosion control technical assistance, contact the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District at 664-2351, extension 3. For landscaping questions, contact the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy at 664-2166. For questions on the recommendations of Chautauqua Lake Management Plan, contact the Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator at 661-8915. For questions on harvesting Chautauqua Lake plants and lakeshore cleanup, contact the Chautauqua Lake Association at 763-8602.

By Douglas E. Conroe, Director of Operations at Chautauqua Institution Improving storm water management has been a challenge and a goal for Chautauqua Institution for many years. The Institution recognizes that the health and usability of Chautauqua Lake is directly dependent upon all owners of property within the watershed taking proactive action to manage storm water in a manner that does not result in further harm to the lake. Accordingly, Chautauqua Institution has taken a number of actions to address its needs.

Under the requirements of the US Clean Water Act, Chautauqua Lake has been listed by New York State as impaired waters. Nutrients are the principal cause of the impairment. Storm water delivers nutrients into the lake either as phospho-rus or as nitrogen contained within the chemistry of the storm water or as attachments to sediment that flows along with the storm water. Therefore, either retaining the storm water on the land or filtering it is needed to remove the nutrients and sediment. The Institution’s Drainage Manage-ment Plan involves taking just such actions. In the past, actions involved either creating a pond or installing underground containment systems to catch storm water. The water was then slowly released instead of being allowed to rush to the lake. Slowing down the water caused the sediments to drop out and allowed nutrients to

be absorbed by plants and land along the course of travel. Next, “lake saver” units were installed as storm sewers were reconstructed. The units slowed down the flow in pipes and channeled the water in a circular fashion such that the sedi-ments were spun out and deposited in an accessible portion of the unit which could then later be cleaned out by mainte-nance staff. Currently, siphoning pipes are being added inside street catch basins in order to allow the water to flow while at the same time settling sediment out of the flow. The benefits of these singular actions were proven by Jamestown Community College’s Summer Undergraduate Research Institute water quality monitoring analysis. The first wetland created by the Institution evidenced a 50% decrease in turbidity of the water flowing through the wetland coupled with a significant reduction in nutrient content. Other monitoring samples evidenced a 71% reduction in phosphorus flowing through the wetland. Two years ago, the Institution decided that a more comprehensive approach was needed and developed a Drainage Management Plan. A main goal of the plan is to deal with storm water on site, and, consequently, not discharge it into Chautauqua Lake. Water that cannot be retained where it falls will be directed to newly constructed and managed ponds, wetlands and rain gardens. Only overflows from extra large storm events will discharge to the lake. The wetlands and rain gardens will remove sediment and nutrients from the storm water. The Institution is serious about working to address Chautauqua Lake’s challenges. In 2010, the Institution Board of Trustees adopted a strategic plan which in part committed the Institution to “respond to our environmental responsibili-ties and provide exemplary leadership through the development and implementation of specific action plans in the areas of storm water management, support of the Chautauqua Lake Management Plan, tree preservation and replacement and preservation and maintenance of landscaped open space.” The Institution recognizes that the solution will require every-one’s participation and stands ready to collaborate with the greater community to address Chautauqua Lake’s needs.

SPRING 2012 The ‘Shed Sheet P AGE 4

Improving Storm Water Management at Chautauqua Institution

A rain garden at University Park at Chautauqua Institution helps manage storm water. (Photo by Doug Conroe)

The CWC, with the cooperation of the Cassadaga Lakes Association, has purchased the “Fern Island” wetland peninsula separating Middle and Lower Cassadaga Lakes. The Conservancy recognizes Cassadaga Lake’s resident Peter George for his initiative and persistence in spearheading this effort. This thumb of wetlands surrounded on three sides by these lakes (2,500 feet of waterfront!) is one of the most valuable wetland wildlife habitats in Chautauqua County and pro-vides significant flood storage capacity protecting properties around Cassadaga Lakes.

SPRING 2012 The ‘Shed Sheet P AGE 5

12-Acre Cassadaga Lakes “Fern Island” Conserved

YES! I want to help conserve the lakes, streams and watersheds of the Chautauqua region! Name/s: __________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Seasonal Address (if applicable): __________________________________________________________________ Seasonal Phone: ______________________________ Email: __________________________________________

□ Friend $20 - $49 □ Steward $50 - $199 □ Contributor $200 - $499 □ Supporter $500 - $999 □ Partner $1,000+ □ My check is enclosed □ Please charge $__________ to my Visa/MC/American Express/Discover:

___________________________________ /_______ _______ _________________________________________ Credit Card Number Expiration Sec. Code Signature

Please remit with your contribution to the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, 413 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY, 14701 or donate online via PayPal at www.chautauquawatershed.org.

Host A “Yard Talk” With Your Neighbors We all live in a watershed! So we all must be good watershed stewards and make sure that the precipitation that lands on our properties, enters our ground waters or runs off our properties is as clean or cleaner than the condition in which it arrived! One way you can help is by hosting a CWC “get-together” to learn what you and your friends, family and neighbors can do in your yards and with your lands to help improve water quality, enhance your landscaping to support fish and wildlife, and manage storm water. Presentations can be tailored for lakefront cottage owners, village or subur-ban neighborhoods, landowners in rural areas, or church and community groups. We can provide updates on lake and watershed management activities, information on yard care and/or the options for and benefits of conserving forests, fields and wetlands. These events are fun! Please contact the CWC at 664-2166 or info@chautauquawatershed.org or CWC conservationist Jane Conroe at conroejane68@gmail.com to schedule an event.

Photos from the October 2011 paddling tour and neighborhood picnic celebrating the Conservancy’s acquisition of the “Fern Island” wetland peninsula separating Middle and Lower Cassadaga Lakes. (Photos courtesy Ron Waite and Deb Naybor)

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID JAMESTOWN, NY

PERMIT NO. 20

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, May 26th Annual Wildflower Tour — Join JCC Biology Professor and CWC Director Becky 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM Nystrom for CWC’s Annual Wildflower Tour. This year’s tour will be held at Chautauqua Creek at Lake Erie, 8382 Schultz Drive in Westfield. A $5 donation is suggested for non-members.

Saturday, June 9th Healthy Landscapes for Water Quality Protection Workshop — Come learn how 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM healthy landscapes can help protect water quality at this workshop led by landscape architect Dean Gowan at Fletcher Hall at Chautauqua Institution. Register through the Chautauqua in June Learning Series at the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau at http://www.tourchautauqua.com.

Monday, June 25th CWC & Chautauqua Golf Club Pro-Am Golf Tournament — Participate in 1:00 Tee Time the Chautauqua Golf Club's annual Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner 5:30 Cocktails at the Chautauqua Golf Club, 4731 West Lake Road in Chautauqua. This year's event 6:30 Dinner will benefit the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. The cost for golfing and dinner is $125 per player. The cost for dinner without golfing is $50 per person.

Sunday, July 15th Chautauqua Institution’s Water Festival (a part of “Water Week”) — Visit the 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy's table at the Water Festival at Bestor Plaza at Chautauqua Institution as part of the Institution's “Water Week.”

Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy 413 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 Phone: 716-664-2166; Fax: 716-483-3524 info@chautauquawatershed.org www.chautauquawatershed.org

For more information, call 664-2166 or visit www.chautauquawatershed.org To register for an event, call 664-2166 or email info@chautauquawatershed.org

SAVE RESOURCES! Get The ‘Shed Sheet electronically —

email us at info@chautauquawatershed.org or sign up at our website:

www.chautauquawatershed.org