OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Jim Wehrfritz, president of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association, speaks to members of the Chautauqua County Legislature.

MAYVILLE – One leader of a lake group is criticizing county lawmakers over weeds in Chautauqua Lake.

Jim Wehrfritz, president of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association, attended the recent county legislature meeting to voice his frustration over weeds in the southern basin.

“The July 4th weekend was an absolute nightmare on Chautauqua Lake for Burtis Bay, Sherman Bay, Ellicott and Fluvanna residents,” he said.

Wehrfritz argued that the newly Department of Environmental Conservation’s designation of calling that area a wetland has created problems.

“These weeds are now protected and more growth is encouraged by the regulations. Other than pointing fingers, but not at the DEC or staying silent, the county and most municipalities are missing in action,” he said.

According to Wehrfritz, the DEC has designated no in-lake wetlands before weed management organizations began planning.

“Then, and only then, did the DEC designate those areas planned for weed management as wetlands and require permits,” he said.

Wehrfritz insists the time has come for a single organization to oversee the lake.

“The solution, a Centralized Lake Authority, is simple in concept but requires real county and municipality leadership,” he said.

Wehrfritz said he would like to see the new Lake Authority made up of town supervisors, mayors and county legislators with districts on Chautauqua Lake.

No one else spoke regarding weeds in Chautauqua Lake at the legislature’s July meeting.

Tammy Schack from Bemus Point spoke at the meeting and said she wants to request a meeting with County Executive PJ Wendel, proposing the county should create a new program called “Nurture CHQ” to help businesses negatively affected by “government inaction, construction disruptions and lack of oversight.”

Schack owns Bridgeview One Stop in Bemus Point and said over the last 16 months they have lost a significant amount of business with the reconstruction of the Chautauqua County Veterans Memorial Bridge over Chautauqua Lake.

The state has announced that it will install a new temporary exit ramp off I-86 to help travelers access Bemus Point easier.