KEUKA LAKE--Members of the Keuka Lake Association (KLA) attended the annual meeting earlier this month to discuss several topics impacting the preservation of Keuka Lake. Issues discussed included water quality, safety on and around the lake, the state of the fish population in the lake, and work to control invasive species.
“If we weren’t monitoring and evaluating, the Starry Stonewort may not have been noticed,” said Doug DeFranco, board chair of the communications committee for the KLA. “As an organization, we do a lot to prevent what could be a lot of catastrophic infestation.”
The Starry Stonewort was found on the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake. DeFranco indicated that the invasive species was likely brought in via boats from other lakes (from the mid-west). An environmental company from Wisconsin was brought in to remove the Starry Stonewort using a Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting technique, which ensured that all “seedlings” were eradicated as well.
During the meeting, Dr. Lisa Cleckner, of the Finger Lakes Institute, delivered the annual “State of the Lake” report. In addition, current and new members of the board of directors were announced. At this meeting, Steve Hicks, Doug DeFranco, Wayne Hand, and Bill Laffin were re-elected and Margot Bliven, Jim Horner, Jim Howitt, Darryl Heckle, Robert Karczewski, Michael Burns, and Tom Pearson were elected to the board. Special recognition was offered to Margo McTaggart, who served as the organization’s administrative assistant and retired this year.
Attendees heard from several guest speakers who shared their insights. Sheriffs Ron Spike and James Allard shared insight from their marine patrols as well as recent changes in water safety regulations. Matt Lochner of the DEC provided a fisheries update on the lake, and Lexie Davis of Cornell Cooperative had several project updates.
“So many of us enjoy the lake and rely on it for our livelihood and relaxation,” DeFranco said. “Both from a cleanliness and economic standpoint, the work that the association does to monitor and evaluate the quality of Keuka Lake is really important.”
“If we weren’t monitoring and evaluating, the Starry Stonewort may not have been noticed,” said Doug DeFranco, board chair of the communications committee for the KLA. “As an organization, we do a lot to prevent what could be a lot of catastrophic infestation.”
The Starry Stonewort was found on the north end of the west branch of Keuka Lake. DeFranco indicated that the invasive species was likely brought in via boats from other lakes (from the mid-west). An environmental company from Wisconsin was brought in to remove the Starry Stonewort using a Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting technique, which ensured that all “seedlings” were eradicated as well.
During the meeting, Dr. Lisa Cleckner, of the Finger Lakes Institute, delivered the annual “State of the Lake” report. In addition, current and new members of the board of directors were announced. At this meeting, Steve Hicks, Doug DeFranco, Wayne Hand, and Bill Laffin were re-elected and Margot Bliven, Jim Horner, Jim Howitt, Darryl Heckle, Robert Karczewski, Michael Burns, and Tom Pearson were elected to the board. Special recognition was offered to Margo McTaggart, who served as the organization’s administrative assistant and retired this year.
Attendees heard from several guest speakers who shared their insights. Sheriffs Ron Spike and James Allard shared insight from their marine patrols as well as recent changes in water safety regulations. Matt Lochner of the DEC provided a fisheries update on the lake, and Lexie Davis of Cornell Cooperative had several project updates.
“So many of us enjoy the lake and rely on it for our livelihood and relaxation,” DeFranco said. “Both from a cleanliness and economic standpoint, the work that the association does to monitor and evaluate the quality of Keuka Lake is really important.”
