Celebrate the Lake: A Tribute to Water Resources
Throughout the Oneida Lake Watershed
Celebrate The Lake is a Tribute to Water Resources Throughout the Oneida Lake Watershed
You are invited to experience the beauty and charm of Oneida Lake and the surrounding region. The Oneida Lake watershed is filled with parks, wildlife refuges, waterfalls, museums, and the Erie Canal with miles of hiking and biking paths. Camping, water skiing, sailing, boating, canoeing, bird watching and other recreational activities are plentiful. Come and enjoy world-class fishing with boat and equipment rentals and experienced guides. Celebrate The Lake highlights special events throughout the Oneida Lake watershed during July and August. Agencies, organizations, and businesses are sponsoring activities and opportunities for homeowners and lake users that feature Oneida Lake and its tributaries. The tours, cultural events, and recreational opportunities listed in this publication are designed to increase your enjoyment and appreciation of our local water resources. A summer lecture series is also included as part of this program with special guest speakers presenting interesting topics about our natural resources.
We’re Working to Protect the Lake and its Watershed
The Oneida Lake Watershed Advisory Council is a group of county, municipal, and stakeholder representatives that assist the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) with the implementation of the Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and Its Watershed. The Management Strategy (developed in 2004) contains recommendations and implementation opportunities for priority water resource issues of concern. The Advisory Council is committed to the protection and restoration of a multiple-use lake and watershed that sustains healthy ground and surface water, fisheries, quality of life, cultural resources, economic vitality, wildlife habitat, and water-based recreation. Advisory Council meetings are held once a month and are open to everyone with an interest in Oneida Lake and its six-county watershed. Call the CNY RPDB for additional information at (315) 422-8276.
Oneida Lake Watershed Projects in 2006
The Watershed Advisory Council and the CNY RPDB are working with local, state, and federal funding to protect Oneida Lake and its tributaries. Our priorities in 2006 include erosion and nonpoint source pollution control, nutrient management programs to ensure optimal fishing, agriculture and education programs, GIS mapping, educational fact sheets and posters, outreach to municipalities and stakeholder groups, aerial photography, and grant writing. All of these projects are designed to support the recommendations presented in the Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its Watershed.
The Oneida Lake Watershed Education Initiative
To address the educmaation needs defined in the Management Strategy for Oneida Lake and its Watershed, several organizations developed a comprehensive education program for Oneida Lake watershed communities. Lectures, workshops, websites, newsletters, Celebrate the Lake, and other education activities are designed to reach school students, municipal officials, homeowners, and lake users in Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Lewis, and Oswego counties. These projects are developed to encourage public enjoyment, protection, and appreciation of local water resources and will lead to a better understanding of lake and watershed interactions. Regional benefits of the Education Initiative include improved tourism, stronger watershed partnerships, and the promotion of shoreline businesses. Cooperation among these organizations results in pooled services and financial resources, reduced program costs, expanded communications, and improved overall efficiency. Education Initiative programs are supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency though funds secured by Congressman James Walsh and by the CNY Community Foundation. For additional information, contact the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board at (315) 422-8276.
The Oneida Lake Watershed Agricultural Program
Agriculture makes up the single largest industry in
the Oneida Lake watershed with more than 400 farms spread across five counties. The Oneida Lake Watershed Agricultural Program is part of the Oneida Lake and Watershed Management Plan. It was initiated in 2000 and is now supported by U.S. EPA with funds secured by Congressman James Walsh and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This funding supports an Agriculture Program Coordinator who develops programs that reduce agricultural runoff throughout the five-county watershed. Soil and Water Conservation District Managers from Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, and Oswego counties work with the Program Coordinator to define and implement agricultural goals that protect Oneida Lake and tributaries. The Agriculture Coordinator is responsible for education and outreach, Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) farm prioritization based on land use and farming practices, as well as writing and administering grants for Best Management Practices to reduce nutrient and sediment loading to Oneida Lake and its tributaries. The Agriculture Program Coordinator also maintains the Agricultural Committee made up of farmers representing each county. For additional information, contact Steve Lorraine, Madison County SWCD at (315) 824-9849.
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