Funding that will assist two organizations with improving water quality on Chautauqua Lake has been included in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2021 executive budget proposal.

State Sen. George Borrello and state Assemblyman Andy Goodell confirmed Tuesday that the funding – $150,000 to the Chautauqua Lake Association and $95,000 to the Chautauqua Lake Partnership – has been included in the budget. Similar funding was cut previously.

Borrello, R-Sunset Bay, said he met with members of Cuomo’s staff in December in New York City and relayed the importance of the aid, which can be used for lake maintenance and other projects both organizations handle annually.

“I’m glad the governor recognized this,” Borrello said of Cuomo.

Although not guaranteed to be included in the final budget passed by lawmakers later this year, Goodell, R-Jamestown, said funding is much more likely to remain when it’s included by the governor in his tentative proposal.

“It is much easier to keep funding in the budget if it’s in the original proposal,” Goodell said. “It signals to legislators that the governor fully supports it and that he recognizes the work done by these two organizations.”

Goodell said the $245,000 to the CLA and CLP is part of a pool of $19 million earmarked for lake management efforts statewide. The majority of that money is obtained through competitive grants applied for by various lake organizations, including some locally.

“Both of us are very thankful that the governor and his top staff heard how important this is for Chautauqua Lake,” Goodell said. “This is great, great news, and a great move on the part of the governor.”

Doug Conroe, CLA executive director, said the lake needs a lot of work in a lot of areas. He said he’s “very encouraged” with news of the funding in the budget.

“We’re very optimistic and very appreciative that the governor reinstated this,” said Conroe, noting that additional money could help the CLA get two additional weed harvesters back in service in addition to bringing back some staff.

“It really comes down to the finances. We have the equipment,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Borrello also touted the Memorandum of Agreement for the Chautauqua Lake Weed Management Consensus Strategy, intended to bring together lake agencies and municipalities around Chautauqua Lake so they can more effectively implement in-lake weed management methods.

The MOA was unveiled while Borrello was county executive. The agreement includes the CLP, CLA, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Chautauqua Fishing Alliance, Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua County, towns of Chautauqua, North Harmony, Busti and Ellicott, and villages of Mayville, Lakewood, Celoron and Bemus Point.

“We have made great progress by having this MOA,” Borrello said.