315-252-4171 ext. 4
Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District
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News Articles and Updates

Channel 3 News Story:  Cost to save Cayuga County homes in danger of falling into Lake Ontario could top $1,000,000 - For full story please click here
Channel 9 News Story:  Your Stories - Homes along Lake Ontario battling erosion problems; Calling on State to fund retaining wall - For full story please click here

Channel 3 News Story - July 2015 follow up on 
Cayuga County homes just feet away from falling into Lake Ontario - For full story please click here


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Emerald Ash Borer Sighting

The Emerald Ash Borer has been spotted in Cayuga County, New York.  It was confirmed by the Federal Animal and Plant Health Identification Service to have been discovered at the Hejamada Campground and RV Park in Montezuma. Three adult borers were found.  The adults are roughly 3/8 t 5/8 inch long with metallic green wing covers and a coppery red or purple abdomen.  The Emerald Ash Borer is smaller than a penny in size and the adults leave very distinctive D-shaped exit holes in the outer bark of the branches and the trunk.  The insect is an invasive species that feeds on ash trees.  They may be present from late May through early September, but are most common in June and July. Signs of infection include tree canopy die back, yellowing, and browning of leaves.  For more information, please visit the NYS DEC website by clicking here or look for upcoming public workshops. If you think that you may have seen an Emerald Ash Borer or damage caused by one, please feel free to contact the District Office at 252-4171 ext. 3 or Cayuga County Planning at 253-1276 or Cornell Cooperative Extension at 255-1183 and someone will come out to investigate.  

Senator Seward Delivers State Funding to Protect Owasco Lake

NY State Senator James L. Seward (51st District) announced that the new 2014-15 state budget includes at his insistence, $200,000 to implement the Dutch Hollow Brook Watershed Restoration Project. 
The Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Owasco Watershed Lake Association (OWLA) proposed to work in partnership and implement a local initiative that collaborates with municipalities, farmers, and rural landowners. Our objective is to improve water quality in Owasco Lake through the implementation of Watershed Quality Improvement Best Management Practices throughout the Dutch Hollow Brook Watershed. The SWCD and OWLA will manage and monitor the selection, design and construction of structural and nonstructural BMPs that will most likely reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and other pollutants from the Dutch Hollow Brook landscape into Owasco Lake.
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One of many sites in need of BMP implementation.

The press release mentioned Cayuga County SWCD Executive Director Doug Kierst stating, “Senator Seward has once again shown that protecting the environment and preserving Cayuga County’s water quality is important to him.  The SWCD believes that the funding acquired by Senator Seward for this implementation and monitoring project  is a great step towards a multi-faceted watershed initiative geared towards the protection of Owasco Lake, the drinking water source for the majority of residents in Cayuga County.  This is great news and an excellent first step.” 
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To the Left:  Doug Kierst of the Cayuga County SWCD with Senator Seward at the Town of Owasco offices.