JAMESTOWN – The Post-Journal is reporting that priorities were the main focus of discussion during Thursday’s meeting of Chautauqua Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Agency in Mayville.
The panel – comprised of county representatives as well as municipal leaders from governments that are adjacent to Chautauqua Lake – formed in 2017 by the Chautauqua County Legislature to evaluate lake protection and rehabilitation needs, and make recommendations to the County Legislature regarding the creation of Chautauqua Lake protection and rehabilitation district(s) as may be necessary in the best interest of the people of Chautauqua County.
During Thursday’s meeting officials began the discussion of working to determine priorities for the lake. Some members including Ellicott Town Supervisor Patrick McLaughlin feel tackling the excess weed problem in the southern basin should be the top priority. while others, including the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, say the focus needs to be the root cause, which would be to mitigate phosphorus and nitrogen discharge – the key ingredients blamed for feeding both weeds and algae the lake has seen in recent years.
The panel will work to build a consensus on priorities in the coming months and at that time will begin setting monetary and management goals for the potential taxing district.
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