Local Sports

State grants add $13.5M for Chautauqua Lake water quality

If you fish or swim anywhere in America these days, you know we need to improve local waterways, reduce pollution and strengthen community infrastructure. Chautauqua County communities are receiving significant support from New York State through a series of grants aimed at protecting local water resources, improving aging infrastructure and preserving the natural assets that contribute to the county’s quality of life and economic vitality.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Chautauqua County projects were awarded more than $13 million in Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) and Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning (NPG) grants. The funding will support 13 projects involving municipalities, school districts, and the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Two of the largest awards directly address wastewater infrastructure and the long-term health of Chautauqua Lake:

· Chautauqua County - $10 million: The County will construct a municipal sanitary sewer system along the northeast shore of Chautauqua Lake. The system will replace failing onsite wastewater treatment systems and convey wastewater to the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District for treatment.

· Bemus Point Central School District - $1.4 million: The district will decommission the aging Maple Grove High School wastewater treatment plant and construct a pump station and force main to connect to the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District.

These projects represent a major investment in protecting Chautauqua Lake by reducing the potential for wastewater contamination. Maintaining lake water quality is essential to public health, recreational activities, tourism, property values, and the businesses that depend on a healthy lake.

For protecting streams, rivers, and aquatic habitat, there are several additional grants:

· Town of Chautauqua - $471,060: Replace the deteriorated and undersized culvert on Bliss Road. The new culvert will reduce erosion and flooding while improving fish and aquatic organism passage in the Chautauqua Creek watershed.

· Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District - $50,000: Conduct a riparian corridor assessment of an unnamed tributary upstream of the Lakewood Mall. The study will identify opportunities for nature-based restoration to improve water quality in the Chautauqua Lake watershed.

· Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with the Village of Fredonia - $50,000: Complete a green infrastructure study for the Water Street parking lot/pocket park. The study will identify ways to reduce stormwater runoff into Canadaway Creek, helping protect water quality and trout habitat.

These projects are important because healthy streams and tributaries are essential to the overall health of Chautauqua County’s lakes, rivers, and fisheries. They also help reduce flooding, erosion, and the loss of valuable aquatic habitat.

A significant portion of the county’s funding will help municipalities reduce the amount of road salt entering local waterways. Five projects will improve salt storage and snow-removal practices:

· Town of Portland - $433,700: Construct a new salt storage facility to keep road salt protected from rain and runoff.

· Town of Arkwright - $310,156: Build a salt storage facility that will allow salt and sand to be properly stored and mixed undercover.

· Town of Dunkirk - $324,622: Replace an undersized and deteriorating salt storage structure.

· Town of Hanover - $196,400: Replace a failing salt storage facility to prevent runoff from exposed salt and sand piles.

For the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District - $329,145: Purchase and install live-edge plow blades for five county highway departments. These blades remove snow more efficiently, reducing the need for road salt.

Together, these improvements will reduce chloride pollution in the Lake Erie watershed and other local waterways. Excessive salt can negatively affect aquatic life, drinking water sources, and the overall health of freshwater ecosystems.

Additional support for local water quality planning include two additional $50,000 planning grants will help identify future improvements:

· The Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District will assess a tributary near Lakewood Mall to identify restoration opportunities.

· In partnership with the Village of Fredonia, the district will study green infrastructure improvements at the Water Street parking lot/pocket park to reduce runoff into Canadaway Creek.

These planning investments are important because they position local communities to pursue future construction funding and implement projects that deliver lasting environmental benefits.

These grants reflect a long-term investment in Chautauqua County. The state funding represents an important commitment to protecting the natural resources that make Chautauqua County special. Chautauqua Lake, Lake Erie, Canadaway Creek, Chautauqua Creek, and the county’s many streams and waterways are more than environmental resources. They are central to the region’s identity, recreation, tourism economy, and overall quality of life.

From major wastewater infrastructure improvements to better road salt management and stream restoration, these projects address both immediate water quality concerns and long-term environmental challenges.

For residents, visitors, property owners, and local businesses, the benefits extend well beyond the individual projects. Protecting water quality helps preserve the county’s outdoor recreation opportunities, fishing resources, waterfront communities, and the natural attractions that support the local economy for generations to come.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoor Calendar

Nov. 7-8: NYS Handgun Class, Westfield Fish and Game, 8150 Ogden Road, Westfield, NY; 20 student max, $225 fee, register at RASGROUPTRAINING.COM or call 716-499-6959.

Nov. 8: Ripley Rod & Gun, turkey shoot, 12 noon start; shotgun, rifle, pistol; open to all; 9820 Rod & Gun Rd., Ripley.

Nov. 9: West Falls Conservation Society, monthly meeting, 8PM start; 55 Bridge St., West Falls. Potential new members are invited to attend. Free dinner. Info: 716-652-4650.

Nov. 10: Children in the Stream Youth Fly Fishing /4H Program, Fly tying/fly fishing classes, 7-8:30 p.m., free, Costello Room, Rockefeller Art Center at SUNY Fredonia, For info: email Alberto@albertorey.com.

Nov. 10: Erie County Trappers monthly meeting, Water Trapping, Hamburg R&G, 3434 Hickox Rd., Hamburg, NY; (716) 648-2236