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State Senator Michael Nozzolio is continuing his efforts to urge the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish equal watershed protections for all the lakes in the Finger Lakes region. Nozzolio strongly criticized the DEC’s recent draft Environmental Impact Statement on natural gas drilling, which recommends stricter environmental protection regulations in the regions surrounding Skaneateles Lake and the New York City watershed, while not providing the same protections for the watersheds of the other Finger Lakes.

“The Finger Lakes provide the source of fresh drinking water to millions of residents, as well as supporting our tourism and recreational industry and hundreds of local businesses, farms, wineries, and vineyards. Stricter regulations for just two watersheds appears to totally disregard the numerous communities that depend on the rest of the Finger Lakes for clean water,” said Nozzolio. “ It is makes no sense why the DEC would single out one Finger Lake for certain environmental protections but not the others.”

In a letter addressed to DEC Commissioner Joe Martens, Nozzolio demanded that the DEC apply consistent and comprehensive watershed protections the entire Finger Lakes watershed, and not just to two sources of drinking water.

“Skaneateles is one of the lakes that make up the Finger Lakes, and a regulation that is vital for the safety of one lake should be just as vital to the safety of each lake in the region. I see no rational justification for regulations that single out one lake and exclude every other lake in the Finger Lakes from certain environmental protections. If  any of these lakes were to be compromised environmentally, it would undoubtedly have severe effects on the entire region,” Nozzolio stated in the letter.

Nozzolio will read the entire letter to the DEC at the 4th annual Owasco Lake Day, which begins at noon in Emerson Park in Auburn on Sunday, August 7th. Owasco Lake Day is an annual community event sponsored by the Owasco Watershed Lake Association and the Cayuga County Water Quality Management Agency where citizens can learn about the ongoing efforts to preserve Owasco Lake, which provides drinking water for the City of Auburn and the dozens of villages and towns along its shores.

“Owasco Lake Day is an excellent opportunity for residents to learn of the positive results that we have achieved in the ongoing clean-up of Owasco Lake. The health of Owasco Lake is absolutely vital to the Finger Lakes region, as is the health of Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Hemlock, and Conesus Lake,” said Nozzolio. “ It is disturbing, confusing and inconsistent that the DEC would treat these lakes any differently than Skaneateles. It is critically important that the DEC re-evaluate its determination and take every precaution necessary to protect our fresh water resources, no matter where they are located.”

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