Page 1 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF THE LAKE www.keukalakeassoc.org

Newsletter “Listen to the Lake” June 2016

PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Bill Laffin

Like spring flowers, portable docks are starting to appear in the lake and boat traffic is increasing. Some of the 35+ fishing tour- naments scheduled for Keuka Lake by a variety of fishing clubs have already begun. The 2016 season on Keuka has begun, so it is appropriate to thank those members who have already renewed their KLA 2016 Annual membership and remind others whose renewal letter is at the bottom of the “in basket” to renew as soon as possible. meeting It is easier to Preserve and Protect Keuka Lake as a GROUP of con- cerned members than as individuals. Our membership drive offers you the Celebrate 60 opportunity to help us continue working for your lake. This is the KLA’s 60th year of Protecting and Preserving Keuka Lake and our annual Membership years of the Campaign is vital to our mission accomplishment. Your tax deductible dues and other contributions help to support many vital activities that protect Keuka. kla So, spread the word to any of your new neighbors or friends who are not KLA members of the importance of supporting the KLA and its work to preserve and protect Keuka Lake. Saturday, July 9, Please mark your calendars for the KLA Annual Meeting on July 9 at Keuka College and watch your mail in early July for the mailing which will give 9 AM the exact location on campus of the meeting, the proxy cards for the election Keuka College of new Board of Director members and those existing Board members up for Dahlstrom Student reelection. The committee that is planning the Annual Meeting is also planning a small 60th anniversary thank you for those that attend the meeting. Center Dining The lake’s water quality sampling and testing program has already room begun and will continue until the mid fall. Dr. Tim Sellers of Keuka College will bring us all up to date on last year’s testing during the State of the Lake presentation at our annual meeting. Special thanks go out to all the volunteers Come join us for who participate in the monthly water sampling excursions and especially to Al a complimentary Wahlig who has provided the use of his boats for more years than I can re- member. The KLA will also continue to fund the Yates County Soil and Wa- breakfast buffet ter Conservation District’s use of an serving 7:30-9 AM airboat to contain and reduce the growth of the Asian water chestnut in the Keuka Lake Outlet. Free celebration The remediation plans for the Penn Yan Outlet between the Liberty hats & kla Street and Main Bridges continue to evolve. There is a possibility that during a heavy rain event, the amount of outflow from the lake will differ from normal history booklet lake level management practices. The Continued on page 2

Newsletter Highlights Navigation & Recreation……..………7&8 Yates Chamber Music………………….24 2015 Sheriffs’ Navigation Report…..….8 Boat Show & Regatta Info…..…………24 Annual Meeting Info……………………..1 Conservation with the Sheriffs………….9 Keuka Arts Festival…..………………...24 DEC AIS Grant…………………………..1 2016 Boating Regulations……………..10 Sailing Program………………………...24 President’s Report…...... 2 2016 Fishing Regulations……………...11 KLA History 1956-2016……………25-28 Membership Report…………...………...3 2016 Calendar Photo Winners...…….. 12 Business Members & Advertisers…….29 Nominating Committee…………….…...3 Scholarship Winners 2016…………….12 Order Forms……………………...... 30 Water Quality ………..…………….……3 KLA Member Ads………..……...... 13-21 KLA Directors and Officers……...... 30 Lake Level Committee………………….4 Yates Courthouse Concerts…………...21 KLA Office & Advertising Info….………31 Outlet Dredging Project………………...4 Critter Corner: Muskrats……...……22-23 Membership Application Form………...31 AIS Monitoring Program………………...5 New/Returning Members……………...23 Yates Youth Fishing Derby…………….32 AIS Summer Employment……………...6 Support KLA Businesses………………23

Page 2 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

President’s Message– Cont. from pg. 1

Lake Level Committee is in close communication with the Keuka Lake Outlet Compact will communicate any infor- mation to our members when it is received. We are stilling waiting for the DEC to publish the much anticipated “Clean, Drain and Dry” law. We’ve been told that the DEC anticipates that the law will be published sometime around Memorial Day, so there is good chance that while the newsletter is at the printer that the new law will go into effect. We will keep all of you updated via the ENews- letter. A separate part of the of the DEC’s plan is to fund groups to operate a variety of Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Programs. Emily Staychock’s announcement about the KLA’s receiving a grant is great news for Keuka Lake, but we still need volunteers to round out our staffing. We have recently learned that the DEC is reviewing one application that proposes to “frack” using some type of gelled propane (i.e. non hydraulic). Such a fracking method appears to be outside the statewide ban adopted by New York State and has revealed a loop hole in the State’s earlier declaration. The State Department of Environmental Conservation is requesting more information about a proposal to frack for natural gas in the Southern Tier using pro- pane and sand rather than water. In April, the DEC issued a notice of incomplete application for the proposal and re- quested additional information on such things as truck traffic, the length of the fracking process and the number of stor- age tanks that would be required. Linda Collart, the DEC’s regional mineral resources supervisor, also wrote in the no- tice that the production phase of the process would be a “potential contributor of greenhouse gas emissions”. We will continue to follow this critically important issue. It strikes me that writing this President’s Report in mid May for a newsletter that will be delivered in mid June is a little problematic. There are issues facing the lake and watershed today for which more information will be forthcom- ing while the newsletter is at the printer. I urge you to periodically check the “Latest News” section of the KLA’s website and to make sure that the KLA has a current email address so we can communicate critical information as soon as we receive it. In closing, the KLA is an organization governed by its members. Please make every effort to attend your Annual Meeting in July.

Keuka Lake Association is awarded $100,000 by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

In January 2016 a KLA grant committee made up of Bill Laffin, Dennis Carlson, Diane Edwards, Meg Cole and Emily Staychock submitted a grant to the NYS DEC with a request of $100,000 to fund the KLA Water- craft Steward Program for three years. The grant proposal and budget was approved by the KLA Board of Directors. The DEC Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS ) prevention grant opportunity was open to organizations around the state to fund watercraft steward programs, watercraft steward training programs, and boat wash stations. This was a highly competitive process, and the KLA is pleased to announce that we ranked #6 out of 24 projects that were awarded funds. We were awarded the full $100,000 that we requested, which was the maximum amount. The KLA will use these funds over three years to pay for 3 ½ full-time seasonal stew- ards for summers 2016-2018 plus ½ of a Program Coordinator. (See employment information of page 6.) The grant requires a 3 year match totaling $33,333 that the KLA will meet through the use of volunteer wa- tercraft stewards and other project administration volunteers, Emily Staychock’s KLA-funded time spent on the project, KLA-funded program expenses, and other mechanisms. Paid stewards will be on duty at the Penn Yan Village launch and the Keuka Lake State Park launch primarily, with regular coverage at the Hammondsport launch as well. KLA stewards will assist the Finger Lakes Institute and the Finger Lakes Regional Watershed Alliance in providing steward coverage at the Severne Point launch on an as-needed basis (grant proposals received a higher score if they addressed protecting multiple water bodies). We will also work with the Finger Lakes Museum to provide some steward coverage and boater outreach education to museum staff at their new kayak launch on Sugar Creek, a Keu- ka Lake inlet. Steward shifts will primarily be Friday – Monday and will target fishing tournaments as we did last year in order to ensure that boats visiting from out of the region are free of AIS. Stewards will work 40 hours/week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and part-time as needed throughout the fall to cover fishing tournament dates. We will augment busy shifts with volunteer stewards, which will be an im- portant contribution to meeting our match requirement. Please contact the KLA office if you are interested in volunteering: [email protected] or (315) 694-7324.

Page 3 June 2016 KLA Newsletter NOMINATING COMMITTEE Water Quality Committee & KWIC - Dennis Carlson Dennis Carlson

The Nominating Committee for the Data from the 2015 water sampling efforts has been received Keuka Lake Association wants to say from our laboratory and is being summarized by Dr. Tim thank you to all who communicated Sellers of Keuka College. At first pass, Tim indicated data with us regarding positions for the KLA. looks good and the health of the Lake is solid. Tim will be present- Board It is only through individual inter- ing his full summary at the Annual KLA Meeting on July 9, 2016. est and commitment that we are able to function efficiently and effectively as an Testing for the 2016 Season began on April 27, with all equipment organization. working well. Testing for E.coli has been added to the testing From those that expressed inter- schedule this year to provide us with a new baseline since this has est, the committee was able to present not been done for a number of years. the KLA Board (at the May Board Meet- ing) with a proposed slate of new Board As we get into the growing season, initial observations and scouting members that will be presented to the for Asian Water Chestnut will begin as in other years. Through KLA Members at the Annual 2015, pull yields have continued to decline which indicates these KLA Meeting. proactive efforts have been successful at keeping this invasive spe- The challenge is always that of cies in control. having persons with interest coming close in representation to those Towns As you will read elsewhere in this newsletter, active plans are being where an opening exists. However, we finalized for the continued education regarding Aquatic Invasive keep all interested individual’s names Species and continuation of the Watercraft Steward Program spon- on file for future involvement. sored by the KLA. Not that dissimilar from other KLA efforts, volun- Again, your support and interest is teers play a significant role in the success of this program. Should greatly appreciated and we look forward you have interest in volunteering please contact the KLA Office. to seeing you at the Annual Meeting. Enjoy the 2016 Season on Keuka.

MEMBERSHIP update - Mike Gow

ON THIS, THE KLA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY, YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WANTS TO EXTEND A SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE KLA OVER THE YEARS. YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE KLA TO CON- TINUE WORKING TO PROTECT KEUKA AND ITS WATERSHED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, WE DON’T EXIST! THANK YOU! …AND PLEASE MAKE A NOTE TO JOIN US AT 7:30 ON SATURDAY JULY 9TH (PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL KLA MEETING) FOR A FULL BREAKFAST AND JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OUR FIRST 60 YEARS!

Page 4 June 2016 KLA Newsletter KLA Lake Level Committee - Wayne Hand As can be seen here a screen shot of the lake level curve from the KLA web site on May 15th, the Keuka Lake Outlet Compact (KLOC, which actually controls the lake level) continues to maintain the lake level within the objective guides. Excluding major precipitation or drought events, one should expect the level to remain approximately at this level until the normal fall draw down in November.

Keuka Outlet Dredging Project Update From 1899 until 1931 New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) operated a gas manufacturing plant on the edge of the Keuka outlet just North of Liberty Street, and South of the Main Street gates, in Penn Yan. This facility produced gas for illumination purposes from coal, but in the process left coal tar, ash, and purifier waste on the site, which also leached into the Keuka outlet. The New York State Department of Environmen- tal Conservation (NYSDEC) is requiring NYSEG to remediate the gas plant site and outlet of these contami- nants, which is estimated to cost them $10 million. Please note that this location is downstream from Keuka Lake and has no impact on Keuka water quality.  The first phase of the project to stabilize and remediate the old gas plant building and grounds is on schedule. Significant amounts of contaminated soil have been removed, soon to be replaced with fresh soil, and the building remediation and stabilization is nearing completion.  The next phase of the NYSEG effort is to dredge the outlet canal of contaminated soil from Liberty St. to the Main St. bridge, then replace with fresh soil. This is scheduled to begin in June, take up to two years, with most of the work taking place between April and November, when discharge through the outlet is usually consistently the lowest. To accomplish this, sheet piles will be driven down the middle of the out- let splitting the outlet into two. Additional sheet piles will then split each half into 3 sections, allowing de- watering, excavation and soil replacement section by section. During this process, this portion of the out- let will basically be approximately half as wide as normal, thus restricting somewhat the amount of water allowed to flow to and through the gates.  NYSEG, the contractors responsible for performing the dredging work (AECOM), the Army Corps of Engi- neers, NYSDEC, and the Keuka Lake Outlet Compact (KLOC) have been working together to develop a detailed Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to ensure that sound plans are in place in case of extreme precipitation events during the project. More details will be provided by KLOC on this in the near future.  As usual, KLOC will attempt to maintain the lake level about midway between the high and low guides. However, depending on the weather services ability to forecast extreme precipitation events well ahead of time, and KLOC’s ability to proactively make gate opening actions, there is the likelihood of higher than desired lake levels for brief periods of time, which may last a little longer than “normal” (due to restricted outlet flow, even with all gates open). To potentially avoid possible higher water level issues on your shore- line assets, we suggest that all consider placement of things like temporary dock structures a little higher than what may have been your “normal height setting”.

Photo taken from across the outlet

Page 5 June 2016 KLA Newsletter Announcing the New Keuka Lake AIS Monitoring Program - Emily Staychock

In the fight against invasive species, the sooner we become aware of a newly occurring organism the better our chances are to manage or even eradicate it. This is particularly important in the case of fast-growing, highly damaging species such as hydrilla. This summer we will begin a formal monitoring program for Keuka Lake to keep track of what’s growing in the lake and survey for high-profile aquatic invasive species (AIS). Emily Staychock will coordinate this effort in partnership with the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The monitoring program will involve basic procedures that the average citizen can take as part of their normal outdoor recreation, and the reporting mecha- nism is simple and user-friendly. Emily will work with the Keuka Lake Association to determine several locations for monitoring, including points on the lake and along the shoreline. We’ll target locations at high-risk for AIS such as boat launches, inlets and outlets. Each location will be monitored twice during the summer: once in mid-July and once in late August-early September in order to sample aquatic species that grow at different times of the summer. Aquatic rakes will be used to sample aquatic vegetation – the rakes are attached to a long rope and are tossed into the water from shore and from boats. Volunteers can incorporate monitoring into their regular boating/fishing activities, or while out taking a walk along the shore. Emily will provide training for volunteers regarding monitoring techniques and AIS identification. Please contact Emily if you’re interested in participating at [email protected], or 315-536-5123 x4127. Even if you don’t wish to participate in formal lake monitoring, everyone can help keep an eye out for high-profile AIS. The remainder of this article will profile AIS that are not currently known to be established in Keuka Lake, and if citizens observe them they can report this to Emily. Hydrilla is the current #1 bad guy in the AIS world. It’s present at the Cayuga Lake inlet, part of the Erie Canal outside of Tonawanda (Buffalo), a pond in Tinker Park in Henrietta, the Croton River (a tributary of the Hud- son), and several isolated ponds downstate. Hydrilla grows quickly and can reach lengths of 25 feet which allows it to inhabit deeper water than the typical aquatic plant. It forms dense mats at the water’s surface that interfere with recreation and negatively impact the aquatic ecosystem, and it reproduces by fragmentation, which means that if pieces become caught on a boat or trailer they can be transported to a new water body and form a new colony. Hydrilla looks very similar to the native elodea, which is present throughout Keuka Lake. Both plants have long stems with lance-shaped leaves arranged in a circle, or whorl, around the stem. However, elodea typically has whorls of three leaves, while hydrilla has whorls of three to ten. Also, hydrilla’s Robert leaves are toothed and feel rough when handled. If you find a plant that you suspect may be hydrilla, don’t Videki Doronicum take chances – report it to Emily immediately! This plant grows quickly and is capable of doing great damage Kft Bug- to the aquatic ecosystem and local economies. wood.org Water chestnut is a bad AIS that inhabits the marshlands at the Keuka Lake Outlet, but fortunately has not been found in the lake. The KLA provides funds to Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District to contract a service to remove this plant every summer. Water chestnut has large, triangular shaped toothed leaves (3/4 – 1 ½ inch wide) arranged in a rosette around the stem. Stems can grow to up to 16 feet. The leaves float at the surface and like hydrilla form dense mats that interfere with aquatic recrea- Leslie J. Mehrhoff tion and ecosystems. Water chestnuts produce wild-looking nutlets, or seeds, that have long sharp spikes University of that allow them to embed in the feathers of waterfowl for dispersal. If you find water chestnut in a location Connecticut other than the Outlet marshlands, please report it! Starry stonewort is an AIS that has recently been identified as a widespread and highly alarming problem throughout NYS. Starry stonewort is a macroalgae, not a plant, which makes it more difficult to manage. It has long, slender leaf-like structures that branch off a main stem in whorls of four to six, and looks very similar to Chara/muskgrass, a native macroal- gae. Chara/muskgrass is crunchy to the feel and has a musky smell, while starry stonewort is smooth and not smelly. The main way to identify starry stonewort is to rake it out of the Paul Skawinski substrate and look for the tiny (3-6 mm wide), star-shaped bulbils (tubers) that anchor it. This macroal- UW-Extension Lakes Program gae is highly invasive and forms a dense carpet on the lake floor that excludes other aquatic vegetation and can eliminate habitat for fish spawning. Starry stonewort was just confirmed in the Keuka Lake Outlet near the Penn Yan Village boat launch, and Emily will conduct survey work this summer to determine if it is pre- sent in Keuka Lake. Please report any starry stonewort sightings! For you anglers out there, we can use help scouting for round goby. Round goby is a bottom-dwelling fish that is silver with brown and black blotches and can reach 10 inches in length. They have large heads with frog-like eyes and think lips. Round goby compete with natives and may prey on small fish, fry and eggs. They are very similar in appearance to the native sculpin but can be distinguished by its single pelvic fin. Identifying this fish can be difficult so an actual specimen or photo would be needed in reporting it. Round goby is not known to occur in Keuka Lake but it is present in Cayuga Lake. Last year a gull was observed along the Keuka lake shoreline with a Chinese mystery snail shell, and we don’t know if the bird caught the snail in Keuka Lake. Chinese mystery snail is not known to be Eric Engbretson established in Keuka Lake, and we’d like to know of any observations. This AIS stands out due to its US Fish and large size – it can reach up to 2 ½ inches long. Its outer shell is greenish to reddish brown and the inner Wildlife Service coloration is white to pale blue. You can make a difference in protecting Keuka Lake! Let Emily know if you’d like to become involved in the lake monitoring program. And we can all keep our eyes open as we recreate on the lake and shoreline this summer and re- port anything suspicious. Early detection is key!

Page 6 June 2016 KLA Newsletter Summer Employment Do you love Keuka Lake? Get paid to help protect it! Become a Watercraft Steward!

The Keuka Lake Association is hiring Watercraft Stewards for Summer 2016.

Locations: Public boat launches on Keuka Lake Time: 40 hrs/week, Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend; must work weekends and holidays Pay: $12/hr

Job Description: The Watercraft Stewards will be responsible for public outreach and education on slowing and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. Under the supervision of the Keuka Lake Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County staff, Watercraft Stewards will offer watercraft inspections to boaters at public launches on Keuka Lake and provide boaters with information about aquatic invasive species and protocol for preventing their spread. Water- craft inspections entail removing plants and other organic material from boats and trailers and identifying aquatic inva- sive species. Watercraft Stewards will collect daily data from their interactions with boaters. Weekly progress reports and data entry will be required that summarize this information. Training will be provided.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:  Conduct public education and outreach programs regarding the significance of New York’s aquatic ecosystems and the threat of the spread of invasive species at watercraft launch sites.  Disseminate educational information, press releases, and other materials as requested.  Perform watercraft inspections, collect data from inspections, and enter data electronically.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Must have the ability to successfully and clearly present infor- mation and ideas to a diverse audience, and to react in a positive, proactive manner in confrontational circum- stances.  College students or recent graduates with experience in environmental education, natural resources manage- ment, biology, ecology, environmental studies/science, or a related field are encouraged to apply.  Familiarity with aquatic invasive species and the general ecology of the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes region is preferred.  Ability to work independently and responsibly without direct supervision.  Ability to accurately collect and summarize data according to established protocol.  Valid Driver’s license. Must provide own transportation to work sites and meeting locations.  Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, long hours in the sun, and traveling if necessary.

Successful candidates must show exceptional interpersonal skills as well as an enthusiasm for protecting aquatic eco- systems. Stewards will be required to attend a comprehensive training that will prepare them for the position.

Contact: Laura Henderson (315)264-7634 [email protected]

The content of the written articles in this newsletter are the property of the Keuka Lake Associa- tion and may not be reprinted or republished without the express written consent of the Keuka Lake Association.

Page 7 June 2016 KLA Newsletter Navigation & recreation Committee - Ira Goldman In this issue, we have the following updates for you: 1) A summary of the Steuben and Yates County Marine Patrol sta- tistics from last season (2015) as well as a comparison to 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011 2) an update on our "Conversation with the Marine Patrol" that we had this spring, and 3) updated Boating and Fishing rules flyer inserts (please take out and hang it on your fridge etc to refer to during the year).

There are a number of other resources on the the NYS Parks and Rec website http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/ resources.aspx Including: 1) Quick Reference Guide – Vessel Equipment 2) PFD Laws for New York and 3) the New York State Boaters Guide.

For a complete listing of NYS Fishing Laws and Regulations, please refer to the “New York Freshwater Fishing 2016-17 Official Regulations Guide” – http://www.eregulations.com/newyork/fishing/ or the Central NY Fishing Hotline (607) 753- 1551

Fishing Licenses Available Online: Fishing licenses are now available instantly on line or via smart phones and a toll free number. Please see the Fishing rules flyer for complete details.

FISHING TOURNAMENTS: In preparation for the Invasive Species Launch Ramp Steward Program, Bill Laffin has compiled a list of 36 fishing tournaments scheduled for Keuka Lake in 2016. In addition the Yates County Youth Fishing Derby will return to the lake this year on June 25 and is being organized by Josh Crain, the DEC ECO assigned to Keu- ka Lake.

SAFE BOATING CERTIFICATION: There have been questions we and the Sheriffs office receive each spring about Safe Boating Courses, specifically "online courses". As of May 2016, New York State has approved four online courses that will meet the requirements for a safe boating certificate. These are BOATERexam, and Boat-ED whose courses cost $29.95 payable after you pass the online exam. The United States Power Squadron offers the online Americas Boating Course which covers more than just the minimum required by NYS and costs $29.95 to enroll and includes the online exam. The fourth course is offered by the BoatUS Foundation and is completely free. See the NYS Parks and Recreation Boating web page for more details: http://parks.ny.gov/recreation/boating/boating-safety-class.aspx

Since three of the online courses are free to take, it is a very good idea for any person to take one of them even if they are not legally required to hold a Safe Boating Certificate. This can be especially valuable to guests and visitors and as a refresher for experienced NYS boaters.

Reminder: Anyone whose 18th birthday is after May 1, 2014 must successfully complete a State Certified, Power Squadron, or Coast Guard Safe Boating Course and have a Safe Boating Certificate in their possession to operate a power boat without adult supervision by a person who has completed a Safe Boating Course.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT: Operators must be at least 14 years old unless accompanied by an adult, AND all PWC operators (regardless of age) must have completed a New York State recognized Safe Boating Course.

Boater Safety classes usually emphasize the following: · If you let an unlicensed driver use your PWC, they will receive a ticket as well as you as the owner · Life Jacket Reminder: 1) has to be in good condition, 2) correct size, 3) easily accessible, 4) USCG approved, and 5) if under 12, securely fastened when underway. · If your vessel is 'drifting', you are considered 'underway'. · If your vessel is anchored or tied up to a dock, you are not considered 'underway' · Please remember: If flares are required equipment on your boat, please check their expiration date (typically only three years) If they need to be replaced, consider the newly Coast Guard approved option of an electronic LED sig- naling light (see the Boating Rules flyer for details). · Please check the condition of your "backfire flame arrestor" on your engines · Police boats have flashing blue lights and everyone on board your boat is responsible to watch for these flashing blue lights · If you are approaching another motorboat "head-on", both boats are required to give way, normally by steering to starboard (right) so they pass port side to port side. · Good idea to file a "Float Plan" with someone before you leave shore (similar to an airplane "Flight Plan") (see http:// www.keukalakeassociation.org/pdf/post/pdf115_pdf.pdf ) · Each spring, you might want to go through an equipment "checklist" to make sure everything gets on board and is in working order. (see http://www.keukalakeassociation.org/pdf/post/pdf116_pdf.pdf) Please make sure your First Aid Kit medical supplies are up-to-date and ‘fresh’ for the summer season. · Cont. on pg. 6

Page 8 June 2016 KLA Newsletter N&R - cont. from pg.5 · Consider requesting a free Vessel Safety Check to verify all required safety equipment is aboard and working. If so, you will get a 2016 VSC Decal to display on your boat that will signal to the marine patrol that you are properly equipped and shorten or eliminate checks that they do routinely. ( see http://usps.org/index.php/2015-05-08-10-34- 31) · By law, you have to render assistance to any boater in distress · Please do not "Teak Surf" - danger with 'prop wash' as well as carbon monoxide · If you are thinking of purchasing a kayak (or low to the water boat) buy a bright color one

NAVIGATION REMINDER: As you begin to go out on the lake this Spring, please be aware of any 'new' obstacles that may have changed over the winter, like buoys, trees etc. Also, please be cognizant of the wake your boat might be making against the shoreline even when you are close to or farther from shore, especially when the water levels are typ- ically higher in the Spring. Within 200 feet from floats (and moored anchored shore, docks,) vessels the maximum speed is 5 mph, but please watch your wake and consider it as a 'no wake zone'. Courtesy is always the key - to other boaters and residents alike.

SMARTPHONE “Apps”: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issue an App that covers the update fishing regulations that went into effect on April 1. See the notice at the top of the Fishing Regulations flyer about how to obtain this App on iTunes and Google Play.

As we all know, you can never be over prepared when you will be out on the lake.

Spring 2016 Sheriffs Navigation Report Update - Boating Season 2015

On April 6, 2016, KLA Navigation and Recreation Committee members met with the Sheriffs and the Department of En- vironmental Conservation and their Lake Patrol Officers to discuss topics of mutual interest. The following activity levels were reported for Steuben and Yates Counties for 2015 (and the prior years of 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011).

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Vessel Patrol Hours 1059 1005 1446 1588 1526 Man Hours Aboard Vessel 2150 2349 2934 3004 2906 Total Marine Law Enforcement Hours 3529 4042 4157 4163 4323 Vessel Insp. (water, launches, marinas) 5271 4517 4448 3834 4347 Warnings Issued 221 257 337 593 659 Arrests/Citations 47 70 48 94 111 reckless op & excessive speed 41 42 72 insufficient PFD 73 94 18 safety certificate infraction 9 3 17 BWI Arrests 0 0 1 1 0 Accidents Investigated 1 4 3 5 12 Stranded Boater Assists 20 4 40 70 68

PATROL AREA: About 85 % of the activity applies to Keuka Lake, but the marine patrol’s responsibilities covered other areas including Loon, and parts of Seneca and Canandaigua Lakes. STATISTIC SUMMARY: The good news is that the Sheriffs continue to issue more Warnings than Citations and Arrests and both counts continue the downward trend from prior years. Please note that any 'warning' could easily be written as a 'citation' and ticket and you can see that in some years more citations were written than in others. Please make sure to take these warnings to heart and immediately correct the issue. Within the Navigation Law warning / citation / arrest lines, the % for Reckless Operation and Excessive Speed remained about the same but the number for not having a Safe Boating Certificate is up slightly. (Please see the following section about the Safety Certificate requirements.) The 27% for insufficient PFDs was about the same as 2014 but remember that while inflatable Life Jackets are more comfort- able they must be worn in order to be in compliance with the law; just having them on board does not count. Finally, Vessel Inspections include “drive by” observation of proper number of Life Jackets on board (including on Stand up Pad- dle Boards) and being worn, but a “stop and board” inspection will include all required safety equipment so it is important to be up to date (you can get a complementary Vessel Saftey Check from the United States Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary). BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE: Please make sure anyone operating your PWC (or Motor Boat) has a proper NYS Operating License and note the law passed in 2014 requiring motor boat operators who turn 18 after May 1, 2014 to have a Safe Boating Certificate in their possession. CONCLUSION: Both Counties and the DEC are expending significant resources in Lake patrol and safety. They are doing a great job, and the benefit is to all of us keeping everyone on the lake safe. Next time you see the patrol boat, waive…they may be cops, but they are definitely the good guys.

Page 9 June 2016 KLA Newsletter Conversation with the marine patrol– Spring 2016

Keen eyed KLA members will notice that the title of our “Conversation with the Sheriffs” article has changed this year. The reason for that is that this year we invited the Department of Environmental Conservation Officers and the Penn Yan Police Department who patrol the PY village launch to join the meeting. The following are brief summaries of topics dis- cussed with the Lake Patrol Officers. As in prior years the Marine Patrol officers and this year including the ECO are invited to the KLA annual meeting on July 9 and will be available to answer questions.

COVERAGE AREA: No changes for 2016, both Steuben and Yates County Sheriffs lake patrols can overlap and cover all areas of the lake. Both Sheriff agencies coordinate their patrol schedules and increase patrols when there are “special events” on the lake. The DEC ECO also patrols the lake with their boat and with the Sheriff’s marine patrol as needed. SPEED: Speed limits are 45 mph daytime, 25 mph from sunset to sunrise, and 5 mph inside 200 feet from shore and any docks, rafts or moored vessels. The patrol boats have both radar and range finders. Please keep your boats wake minimized within 200 feet from shore. PLEASE DO NOT PLOW. NOISE: We have all seen (or heard) them…on one pass all seems normal, but on the return pass they rattle the dishes. Some boaters try to avoid detection using an exhaust cut- or by-out pass. The Sheriffs tell us that such devices are after market products, and all are illegal. You don’t have to use it…if you have it on the water you are in violation of NYS Nav- igation Law. The NYS noise limits (75 decibels underway, 90 decibels stationary) have been added to the Boating Regu- lation summary distributed by the KLA. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol believe they know the location of most of the high powered boats on the lake and follow up with the owners if noise complaints are received. They also schedule their weekend patrols to be on the lake at the start of the major fishing tournaments when groups of boats are traveling down the lake early in the morning. COTTAGE IDENTIFICATION: KLA members have done a pretty good job of getting house numbers (especially dock plates) that are visible from the Lake. We could use your help in encouraging your neighbors to do likewise, especially properties that have been renumbered in the last few years (Jerusalem and Steuben County). ALSO, do not forget to put your cottage address on items that could float or blow away – floating docks, buoys, float toys, paddle boats, ca- noes / kayaks, small pets etc. The KLA office now has a supply of free waterproof “If Found” stickers supplied by NYS for your use in identifying these objects. MANDATORY LIFE JACKETS: Legislation that took effect November 1, 2009 requires: "No owner or operator of a pleasure vessel less than twenty-one feet, including rowboats, canoes, and kayaks shall permit its operation, between November 1st and May 1st, unless each person on board such vessel is wearing a securely fastened United States Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of an appropriate size when such vessel is underway". How- ever be aware that the Coast Guard and NYS have changed the Personal Floatation Devices terminology back to Life Jacket. Also be aware that Standup Paddle Boards being used more than 200’ from shore must have a Life Jacket aboard and since that is the case, we strongly recommend that you wear it. BOW RIDING: The Sheriffs would like to remind everyone that it is not safe for any person to ride in a motor boat with their legs over the bow of the boat. Those riding in a boat designed for passengers in the bow must be seated. BOATER SAFETY COURSES: Now that ALL PWC operators and motor boat operators born after May 1, 1996 need to have a Safe Boating certificate recognized by NYS, please see the KLA website listings of upcoming safety courses in your area and online and sign up for one. Even if you do not have a PWC, or have not taken the course in a while, it’s a great idea to go through to take a Safe Boating class and familiarize yourself with the latest laws. After passing your Boater Safety Course, you can fill out a form to also get a special ‘navigation’ safety course designation on your Drivers License. Check with your local DMV office for details. COUNTY / STATE FUNDING: New York States 2016-17 budget maintains the 50% reimbursement to the Counties for Marine Patrol operations. Please remind your County Legislators to at least maintain the overall County appropriation and funding for our Marine Navigation Lake Patrols. DEBRIS: As a reminder, when you are out on the water, please keep a sharp look-out for floating debris (logs, bottles, cans, Rover’s tennis ball, etc). There are many more obstacles after heavy wind or rain storms so keep on the lookout. We all share the responsibility to keep the lake clean and safe, so feel free to stop to pick up and clean up any floating hazards. SWIM FLOATS: Sheriffs reminded us that each cottage should only have a maximum of one swim platform and one mooring buoy. VESSEL INSPECTION: These are done every time someone is pulled over. INVASIVE SPECIES: The Sheriffs were briefed on plans for the Launch Steward program being managed by the KLA and they asked that their Marine Patrol deputies be invited to the Aquatic Invasive Species refresher training being orga- nized by Emily Staychock of the Cornell Cooperative Extension. FIREWORKS CAUTION: The Sheriffs would like to remind us that residents need to take extra caution regarding "Chinese Flying Lanterns" around the lake. First of all they could be a fire hazard when they land, and secondly if they land in the lake they would then become a navigation hazard, not to mention pollution to this eco-system. NYS law re- quires that these can be sold in the state but must be tethered to the ground and not allowed to fly free. Many people do not follow this rule and some free flying lanterns have landed on roofs with the risk of causing a major fire.

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Page 12 June 2016 KLA Newsletter KLAeidoscope of keuka 2017 - calendar photo contest

The calendar committee wishes to thank all who contributed to the pho- to contest for the 2017 KLAeidoscope of Keuka calendar. As usual, there were many great entries and we had a hard time picking winners. Photos not chosen for calendar may show up in our newsletters, brochures and website. Please continue taking and submitting your photos of Keuka Lake and the surrounding areas. Also, please let us know where they were taken. We enjoy finding out if we guessed the right places when we look at them! Below are the monthly and over-all winners for our 2017 calendar. We hope you will attend our Annual Meeting, July 9th, to be in- troduced and receive your free calendar and prize money for the four win- ners.

Cover Double Rainbow Sharlene Briggs January Blue and Pink Sky Marianna Fantigrossi February Orange Ice Sunset Rod Blumenau March Ice Breakup Jan Williams April Spring Tulips Judy Erwin May Gold Seal from Keuka Landing Candy Dietrich June Summer Regatta Luke Rague July Fireworks over Keuka College Rod Blumenau August—2nd Space Station Time Lapse Matt Duncan September Reflections Kelly Gilligan October– 3rd Punkinseed ( the fish) Bob Kurz November Miss Duck Mike Carney December Winter on East Bluff Nancy Yattaw Back Cover- Chairs and Umbrella Pamela Howitt 1st

2016 Scholarship winners

The Keuka Lake Association is pleased to award Esther N. Wahlig Keuka Lake Watershed Scholarships to Emily Eckel, Hammondsport Central School and Talon Wright, Dundee Central School. The Committee reviewed several excellent candidates and is proud of each student’s many accomplish- ments. Our award recipients will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education in the area of environmental sciences, limnology and/or water quality/ watershed management. Our awardees will be recognized at the upcoming KLA Annual Meeting.

Emily Eckel will attend SUNY Brockport in the fall, majoring in Biochemistry. Emily is a native of Keuka Lake, a dedicated and excellent student and is passionate about the lake, water and the quality of water on people around the lake. Talon Wright plans to begin his studies in Biology at Finger Lakes Community College. Talon has taken every science course offered, looks forward to future studies and is also passion- ate about Keuka Lake and its surrounding woodlands and watershed. Congratulations to Emily and Talon!

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AGENTS / ASSOCIATE BROKERS Jerry Cadwell Debbie Deal Michelle Gray Kathy Higgins 607-243-7289 607382-0704 505-369-2571 315-694-8282

Chip Murphy Stan Olevnik Kathleen Patterson 315-270-2367 315-532-4726 607-329-0778

Sherry Robards Lorrie Rouse Terri Sutherland 607-382-0127 607-794-0911 585-750-6054

Amy Triplet Bruce Warfield Phil Warren Randy Weaver 716-913-1827 315-945-8152 315-521-1815 607-369-0812

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 Low new member rates for 2016 and NO initiation fees  Junior & Social Memberships also available at great rates  Clubhouse & restaurant available for dining, receptions, parties, meetings  Bob King, PGA Professional with a full service Pro Shop: clubs, clothes, lessons  18 holes of championship golf with gorgeous scenic lake views  Watered fairways & 6 tee locations  For practice: driving range, putting & chipping greens  We welcome non-member greens fee players  A variety of social activities are always available!

Proud to participate in “Tee it Forward”

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With property taxes rising, renting your property is a great way to help with the cost.

Finger Lakes Getaways has a reputation For securing qualified renters, Many of whom come back year after year.

Let us maximize the potential of your property We would love to have you in our rental program.

To learn more Please contact: Kathy Allison, General Manager 315-536-4821 [email protected] www.fingerlakesgetaways.com

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Meet your friends here & enjoy great wines and “small plates”!

Page 21 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

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Contact: John Brown LKSF Junior Sailing 455 W 3rd St Corning, NY 14830 607.962.2011 [email protected] m Advanced Sailing Weeks 3, 6-7 Keuka Yacht Club

2016 Summer Sailing Learn to sail or upgrade your sailing skills. WK 1 WK WK WK 4 WK WK WK 7 WK 2 3 5 6 8 6/27 – 7/5-8 7/11- 7/18- 7/25 8/1- 8/8–11 8/15 30 14 21 -28 4 –18

$270 per week Discounts for early registration, multiple weeks, & multiple siblings

Page 23 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

Critter Corner - Muskrat love? Not! Dave de-

Muskrats & Motorboats I was having trouble coming up with a timely topic for the Critter Corner. Rob Corcoran, past KLA president was visiting. Rob being more aware of current critter issues (my wife and I moved to Tennessee in 2014), I asked for a suggestion. “No problem,” he replied, “how about muskrats chewing on boat wiring?” I’d never heard about that, did a little investigating, and got an education.

The basics. Muskrats are basically large, aquatic rats. Years ago, farm kids got their spending money trapping muskrats for their fur. They are omnivorous (eat anything) but mostly eat aquatic vegetation, especially cattails. Those bits and pieces of crayfish on your dock and clam shells? It’s the work of muskrats that include them in their diet. They like to sit on the top step of dock ladders while munching on lunch. They tunnel into bank sides to make warm and secure dens. They build large (5-8 feet across) cone-shaped “lodges” out of cattails and mud.

The problem. Being rodents, muskrats chew on stuff incessantly (helps to wear down their teeth, which grow continuously, to the proper length). Muskrats can swim up inside exhaust pipes (2 inch- es diameter or more-for inboard motors) and chew through plastic/rubber exhaust lines. Water com- ing in the boat can actually sink it. They chew through transducer wires for fish finders, hydraulic ca- bles for raising and lowering lower drive units, and rubber bellows protecting universal joints be- tween upper and lower inboard drives.

Solutions. If you have a hoist to lift and keep the boat out of the water, problem prevented (be sure hoist is not right next to the dock so the ‘rats can’t leap on the boat). But if your boat is moored to a dock or held in place with whips, it’s in the water continually and susceptible to damage. To keep ‘rats out of the inside of the boat (where they will chew wiring), install a mooring cover held tightly around the exterior of the boat with snaps or a tight elastic cord. To keep them from swimming up the exhaust pipes, install a screen that fits tightly to the inside of the pipe. Can be purchased by going to this website (https://hurleymarine.com/shop/muskrat-otter- guards/muskrat-otter-exhaust-guards/ They are expensive but work). Continued on pg. 24

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Muskrats—Continued from page 23

To keep muskrats from chewing on transducer wires and hydraulic lines, get a stainless steel wire coil that installs easily around the wires/lines from Dockside Innova- tions (~$20.00 at http://www.docksideinnovations.com/Product.html) or make one your- self from stainless steel braided water lines (for under sinks) when the boat is out of the water. You’ll have to cut through the length of the stainless line, slip it over the cable/ wire, and cinch in place with zip ties.

Protecting bellows is tougher – some advise keeping the lower drive unit down in the water to make the bellows harder to get to, but that allows zebra mussel verligers to get inside water intakes and build up the colonies that clog the intakes (for cooling motors). Best bet – a hoist that keeps the boat totally out of the water.

Muskrats may be caught in live traps (hav-a-heart) baited with apple slices. You must transport them far away to another body of water. Probably not allowed at a marina where your boat may be moored. A nuisance on private docks, and you must check them every day (on rented slips, too, if allowed). Or close them when going away for more than one day.

Even though Dave and his wife Kathy have left Keuka Lake for Tennessee, Dave has still volunteered to continue to contribute to the KLA newsletter. His knowledge is much appreciated!!! If you have an idea you feel would be a good topic for “Critter Corner”, please submit to the KLA Office.

The KLA welcomes the following new & returning members:

Andesen Surveying-David Andersen Linda Mariconda Joan Barrett & Al Byrne Peter Merrill & Mariana Kastrinakis Book Marshall Productions—John & Rose Marshall Joseph G. & Susan C. Pelych Clean & Green Softwas Solutions—Matthew Rocco & Carol Polino Paulchel Quality Lawn & Landscape—Steve Krieger Caitlin & James DeFilippo Kim & Patrick Roncone Amber & Andrew Degner Peter & Terry Schnorr Judie & Bob DeWitt Nell Shapiro Dieffenbach Family Don Stevens Sherri & John Dobbins Cindy Strong & Patti Strong Cathy & Todd Fisher Thomas Tammaro Carole S. Foster Fred & Penny Tanneberger Sarah & Gene Freid The Fox Inn-Mike & Tanya Oliver SuAnn Genecco Christopher & Cynthia Vaughan Ellen & Paul Greendyk Jude & Debbie Weis Michele & Steve Griffin Dennis Wilmot Lake Keuka Sailing Foundation, Inc. Wine Trail Properties—Austin Lapp Mark & Glenda Lockard Wright Restoration Properties, LLC Lynne Kerwin

KLA Business members and advertisers need and want your support/business!!! When you need something done or want to make a purchase, please check out the list of businesses on page 20 of this newsletter and on our website under “Resources” > ‘Business Directory’. Help is on the way!!

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60 Years of KLA History written by Bill Oben, KLA President 2002-2006, updated by Bill Laffin, KLA President 2012-2016 Pages 25-28

For 60 years, the Keuka Lake Association (KLA) and its predecessor, the Keuka Lake Shore Proper- ty Owners (KLSPO) Association has been at the forefront of advocating for the preservation and pro- tection of Keuka Lake and its watershed. Prompted in part by particularly severe annual spring flooding in 1956, a small group of lake property owners recognized the need to form an association they hoped would be able to find solutions to this and other problems then confronting the lake. That fall, the Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners association (KLSPO) was incorporated “to associ- ate together the persons owning, or having an interest in, property bounded in part by Keuka Lake for their mutual benefit”.

The KLSPO soon targeted five areas for improvement. They were flood control (lake level), pollution (water quality), zoning (land use), motorboat control and conservation. Committees were estab- lished to study each of these and develop action plans for their improvement. Today’s ten standing committees of the Keuka Lake Association still reflect the concerns of the early pioneers of Keuka Lake’s preservation.

The variability of Keuka’s water level had long been a concern, dating back to the early settlement of the region. Residents along the lake struggled through frequent flooding brought by rain and the an- nual spring snow melt, while the commercial ventures that built along the Keuka Outlet coped with an unpredictable volume of water required to power their mill wheels. Early on, the need was recog- nized to provide a mechanism for dampening the effects on lake level resulting from the uncertainty of Mother Nature. Dams were installed in the Outlet at various locations in an attempt to exercise some degree of control. However, these measures provided only modest capability to regulate lake level.

The first action of the newly formed Flood Control Committee was to engage the US Army Corps of Engineers in the dredging of the outlet channel and to conduct a study for improvement of flood con- trol capability. In 1960, the Corps of Engineers issued a report of their findings that included target lake levels for each season of the year. These were adopted by NYSEG, who then owned and op- erated the gates located at the Main Street dam. The strategy involved drawing the lake level down in the late fall and early winter to prepare for the inevitable annual increase in lake level caused by late winter snowmelt and spring rains. Unfortunately, the gate system in place at that time was fre- quently incapable of achieving these targets. In 1966, two new steel slide gates replaced the three old wooden gates in the mill race. The new gates performed more reliably, but provided no addition- al discharge capacity.

Over the next 25 years the Flood Control Committee, now called the Lake Level Committee, persist- ed in their goal to obtain additional gate capacity with which to respond to high water events. This need was underscored in 1972, when Hurricane Agnes brought several days of sustained rain to the region, resulting in severe flooding as the lake rose more than five feet within a three-day period be- fore cresting at 719.7 ft. In 1992, additional flood control capacity was finally achieved with the addi- tion of three large aluminum slide gates to the Main Street dam, thereby increasing the discharge capability by 150%.

Today, the responsibility for managing the lake level rests with the Keuka Lake Outlet Compact - KLOC. This inter-municipal organization, established in 1990 with strong support from the Keuka Lake Association, owns the gate system and contracts with the Village of Penn Yan to maintain and operate the gates according to a flood control plan provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake level target curves have been slightly modified since their first inception to accommodate such

Page 26 June 2016 KLA Newsletter factors as delaying the fall draw down of the lake to extend the boating season. The lake towns and villages share costs associated with maintaining the KLOC, including maintenance of the flood con- trol system. In 2005, the Keuka Lake Association installed an automated lake level monitoring sys- tem that allows anyone with internet access to monitor lake levels on a real time basis, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This system records lakes levels every few minutes and then posts an average value on the KLA website (http://www.keukalakeassoc.org) every 2 hours but the chart is updated only once a day. This system was upgraded in 2013 to include better graphics and the ability to ac- cess it from mobile and cellular devises. We also used the installation of this new technology to au- tomate the temperature readings that are reported at the Penn Yan Water Treatment Plant on a 5 day rolling average basis. The installation and upgrade of the lake level monitoring has been a sig- nificant aid to the KLOC in managing Keuka’s levels. Also in 2006, the KLA allocated a grant to the KLOC for the capital improvement of the gates as well as another grant in 2007 to the Friends of the Outlet Trail for the stabilization of the banks along the Keuka Outlet.

The Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners (KLSPO) recognized early on that the growing number of seasonal and permanent residences around the shore of the lake posed a threat to water quality. At that time, all of these properties utilized septic systems for processing wastewater, and there was little or no regulation for their design and construction. Verification of the system’s performance was also an issue. The Pollution Committee mounted a campaign urging the adoption of uniform lake- wide pollution regulations. In 1963, an Inter-municipal Perimeter Committee was established, com- posed of representatives from the various lake municipalities, to develop wastewater regulations. The following year, a uniform watershed regulation ordinance was adopted, with the eight municipal- ities agreeing to share the cost of implementation and operation. An enforcement officer was hired, and assigned the responsibility for overseeing the installation and inspection of septic systems throughout the watershed. By the mid-1980s it had become apparent that this task was beyond the capability of one person to perform. Two of the towns had withdrawn from the agreement, and oth- ers were considering similar action.

In 1987, the KLSPO initiated a water-testing program. Data from that program further indicated the need for better management of wastewater and upland run off around the lake. Pollution control moved to the top of the KLSPO agenda.

In 1990, the KLSPO officially changed its name to the Keuka Lake Association. The following year, the KLA succeeded in establishing a Watershed Protection District consisting of the six towns and two villages around the lake. Initially, it was envisioned that both wastewater management and docks & moorings would be regulated through adoption of uniform ordinances for these activities. However, an assessment of the magnitude of these two tasks soon resulted in the subordination of docks & moorings regulation to the more pressing need for uniform management of septic systems. It was not until late 2006 that a set of Uniform Docks and Moorings Laws was adopted by all of the municipalities of Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative or KWIC.

A Watershed Protection Director was hired in the late 1980’s and Keuka Lake Association initiated the task of fund raising necessary for the water testing efforts. The Keuka Lake Foundation, a 501c3 corporation, was established in 1992 to serve as the recipient of donations solicited for this project. In 2003, the KLF was disbanded and all of the assets were merged into the now tax exempt KLA. Extensive discussions were held with each of the towns regarding an acceptable model for uni- formly managing wastewater throughout the district. In 1993, an agreement that was facilitated by Peter Landre (who later became the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County) lead to the adoption of an Intermuncipal Agreement calling for local enforcement by each town of a uniform wastewater regulation. The program would be directed by the Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative. A Watershed Manager was hired to coordinate septic inspection activi- ties of the various town inspectors. The towns would retain ultimate authority for regulation of wastewater systems while sharing costs associated with maintaining KWIC. In 2009, the KLA

Page 27 June 2016 KLA Newsletter awarded KWIC a $20,000 grant to have an automated septic inspection software portal created on the web. This portal contains information regarding each property’s inspection record and other valu- able information for the town’s inspectors. It also allows for inspection data to be immediately up- dates from the field via cellular connection if the inspector desires. The KWIC organization has been functioning for over twenty years and despite of a few bumps in the road, and is viewed by some at both the state and federal levels as a model for inter-municipal cooperation in the management of lake wide water quality issues. The KLA continues to fund and monitor water quality by collecting water samples on a monthly basis at several sites around the lake for evaluation by certified testing facilities. Jim Balyszak, who heads the Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District, coordi- nates this program with technical support and analysis from Dr. Tim Sellers from Keuka College. In 2013, this task aided by a $15,000 grant to Keuka College for the purchase of an in lake water quali- ty parameters probe.

Over 60 years ago, there were few zoning ordinances in place around the lake. This deficiency was immediately recognized as a potential source of pollution from runoff caused by unregulated devel- opment. The Zoning Committee worked closely with the towns as they established land use plans which eventually resulted in enactment of zoning regulations. In 2008, the KLA joined with the KWIC and Cornell Cooperative Extension in the development of comprehensive land use training. This Land Use Leadership Alliance program was funded with a grant from the New York State Quali- ty Communities Program and supported by the KLA, KWIC, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University Community and Rural Development Institute, Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, Pace University Land Use Law Center, Yates and Steuben Counties. This multi year pro- gram was designed to assist local land use leaders to learn practical strategies for natural resource conservation, how locate development in the watershed, and how to make effective land use deci- sions. The KLA provided an initial $5,000 cash match to the project as part of the grant application process. The training was presented by Pace University Land Use Law Center with the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. About 70 municipal leaders from throughout the water- shed were trained in 2007 and 2008. A working group of Land Use Leadership Alliance trained indi- viduals of completed the first version of the Keuka Lake Watershed Land Use Plan which was pre- sented to the municipalities around the lake as a framework for smart growth and environmentally responsible development in the watershed. More recently this group received a grant from New York State for a three year program called Strategy for a Sustainable Keuka. The grant is managed by the Town of Wayne and will lead to the development of a model sustainability program, more land use training, and public outreach, the creation of a water quality internship program and other pro- grams vital to the watershed. This grant was closed out in April 2016 at the 6th Annual Land Use Leadership Alliance Training which was open to the public and all municipal officials in the region.

The Motorboat Control Committee, now known as the Navigation and Recreation Committee, has worked closely with the Sheriffs’ departments of Yates and Steuben Counties over the years to en- courage safe boating on the lake. Each county provides a lake patrol during the boating season, en- forcing New York State Navigation Laws and aiding boaters in distress. The KLA successfully sought an amendment to the NYS Navigation Law that requires that boaters observe a 5-mph maxi- mum speed limit within 200 feet of shore rather than within 100 feet of shore as observed on most other lakes. The KLA routinely publishes and distributes a summary of the NYS Boating and Fishing Regulations to inform boaters and promote safety on the water. It also has provided grant fund to the Sheriff’s marine patrol for items such as on board defibrillators and sound measuring devises. Several years ago, the KLA also provided a grant to the Hammondsport Fire Department when they purchased their new fireboat.

Over the years the KLA has adapted to the changing forces that could and do impact the quality of the Keuka Lake and its surrounding watershed. In 2012, the issue of High Volume Horizontal Hy- draulic Fracturing and its potential threats to the watershed lead to the creation of the Hydrofracking and Well Disposal Committee. This group developed the KLA’s position on the practice of fracking

Page 28 June 2016 KLA Newsletter near the lake. The KLA created educational materials and shared them with various state officials while the NYS Government pondered its official position. We were all relieved when the Governor officially banned this practice late in 2014. This Committee continues to be active as other technolo- gies may be in development that could replicate the impact of hydraulic fracturing on Keuka Lake.

The concern for Invasive Species and their impact on the watershed’s ecosystem brought about an- other new focus for the KLA in 2013. While we had learned to tolerate the zebra mussel and the Eurasian milfoil, the discovery of the highly invasive Hydrilla in nearby Cayuga Lake, lead the KLA to again partner with CCE Yates with our funding of an Invasive Species Educator. Through the work of Emily Staychock, the KLA initiated a voluntary Boat Launch Steward program in 2015 as well as educational outreach into the community. In 2016, the KLA received a NYS Department of Environ- mental Conservation grant that is a net $100K and requires an incremental 25% in kind match from the KLA all of which is spread over a 3 year period. The DEC project funds will be used to expand the KLA's Boat Steward Voluntary Inspection and Education Outreach programs. Over 90% of the funds will be used to hire 4 Boat Stewards to staff the high volume launches on Keuka Lake - to in- clude Penn Yan, the State Park in Branchport, Urbana and the new kayak livery at the Finger Lakes Museum. Other funds will be used for uniforms, the construction of Aquatic Invasive Species Dispos- al Stations at some launches and necessary supplies. The KLA will also assist the Finger Lake Insti- tute with their outreach program on Seneca Lake when their staffing needs require additional sup- port. With 35 fishing tournaments already scheduled for Keuka Lake in 2016, the stewards will rotate between the launches based upon anticipated launch traffic. KLA membership has grown to over 1600 members and is no longer an association of property own- ers. Watershed residents, recreational users and many local businesses are now members. The association is open to all who are interested in helping to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its watershed. As a 501C3 all dues and contributions are tax deductable. The Association publishes the Keuka Lake Directory every few years with one currently at the printers for distribution to free of charge to members in late June. Members also receive a quarterly newsletter, which provides infor- mation regarding program activities and other topics of interest around the lake. We have a website that contains extensive information about the KLA and Keuka Lake. We urge all who enjoy the lake and its watershed to become members by visiting our web site or mailing us a membership applica- tion.

Volunteers manage the Keuka Lake Association. Our charter is to promote the understanding, preservation and improvement of the water quality, natural habitat and general environmental condi- tions of Keuka Lake and its watershed by collecting, preserving, publishing and disseminating infor- mation about Keuka Lake and its watershed and by encouraging and supporting the enforcement of laws and regulations and patterns of development aimed at preserving and enhancing the water quality of the lake. Over the past half-century, hundreds of volunteers have served the Association as officers, directors, committee members and project leaders. As we look back with pride at the significant progress the KLA has made, we are mindful of the thousands of hours of work contributed by so many in our mission to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its Watershed.

Bill Oben Bill Laffin

Page 29 June 2016 KLA Newsletter The KLA urges you to support our business members and newsletter advertisers. If you would like further information concerning our busi- ness members, please contact the KLA Office or visit our website at www.keukalakeassoc.org to find Business Member listings and links to their websites. New advertisers/business members in italics *Sponsor Level ** Patron Level ***Guardian Level ● Business/Personal

ACCOUNTING/BANKING/FINANCIALS GIFTS/CLOTHING Realty USA - Hammondsport Five Star Bank - Hammondsport Browsers Realty USA—Jackie Carpenter Lyons National Bank—Penn Yan Cabinwear.com Stan Olevnik - Nothnagle Realtors, UBS Financial Services*** Cinnamon Stick Hometown Choice - Penn Yan Wells Fargo Advisors Wine Trail Properties-Austin Lapp HEALTH/MEDICAL SERVICES ANTIQUES/ARTS//POTTERY Dr. Gregory Schultz, DMD-Ret.● RECREATIONAL/MUSEUMS Antiques at the Establishment-Michael & Keuka Comfort Care Home Finger Lakes Boating Museum Roxanne Mourhess● Miracle Ear - Fred & Susan Goossen● Fishy Business-Gerald Pease & Joanne Arts Center of Yates County Conley-Pease● Havill Pottery HOME SAFETY Keuka Big Foot Charters-Dick Roller● Keuka Arts Festival Sensored Life Lakeside Country Club Keuka Studios - Dan & Jeanne White● Yates County History Center INSURANCE YMCA Camp Cory ATTORNEYS Keuka Insurance Group, Inc. Peter H. Baker Shaw Agency*** RESTAURANTS/SNACKS William T. Fletcher* Stork Insurance *** Keuka Restaurant Carl J. Schwartz, jr. Esq.* Lakeside Restaurant & Tavern LANDSCAPING/NURSERY/GARDENING Luna Mezza Grille-Karin & David Fice● AUTOMOTIVE Preferred Landscaping The Olney Place on Keuka Lake Michael’s Automotive Tech Ctr-Michael Quality Lawn & Landscape, Inc. The Switzerland Inn Lanzillo● Lakeside Country Club LODGING/COTTAGE RENTALS Top of the Lake BOOKS/OFFICE SUPPLIES/CARDS Best Western Vineyard Inn & Suites Water Street Wine Bar Longs’ Cards & Books It Shore is Nice Cottage Rentals Keuka Charm Rentals SEPTIC SERVICES BUILDING/PLUMBING/ Keuka Cottages-Nicholas & Patricia Ribble's Septic Service ELEC. SUPPLIES/PROPANE Sadowski● Carey’s Farm & Home Centers* Keuka Lakeside Inn STORAGE FACILITIES Countryside Propane - Dan & Lindy McCorn Winery Lodging Camp Arey Mini Storage Loucks● Steamboat Castle B&B** Mustang Mini Storage-Steve & Beth HEP Sales Sunny-Maple Lake Cottage-Anja Bakland Thompson● Knapp & Schlappi Lumber Co., Inc. & Verner Andersen ● Penn Yan Plumbing & Heating● The Fox Inn B&B SURVEYING Shirley’s of Bath, Inc. The Willows on Keuka Lake B&B Andersen Surveying-David Andersen● Tudor Hall B&B on Keuka Lake* CLEANING SERVICES Vinehurst Inn & Suites PET SERVICES/VETERINARY Clean & Green Softwash Solutions- Eastview Veterinary Clinic Matthew Pauchel● MARINE SERVICES/SUPPLIES/DOCKS Basin Park Marina* WEBSITE DESIGN/GRAPHIC DESIGN CONSTRUCTION/HOME CARE Brawdy Marine Construction, Inc. Book Marshall Productions PAINTING/CONTRACTORS Hayes Canvas-Norm & Diane Hayes● DSD Webworks-Scott Demmin● Bright Ideas by Martinec** Quality Docks-Rob Stoe● D.J. Builders & Remodelers, Inc. R & R Docks WINES/LIQUORS DJB Maintenance & More Veley Enterprises– Steve Veley● Water Street Wines & Spirits JL Sisson Construction-Jamie Sisson● Klugo Construction PEST CONTROL WINERIES/VINEYARDS Swagelok Ehrlich Pest Control Azure Hill Winery, Inc. Wright Restoration Properties, LLC Barrington Cellars-Ken & Eileen Farnan● REAL ESTATE SALES/RENTALS/ Bully Hill Vineyards, Inc.* EDUCATIONAL/INFORMATIVE DEVELOPMENT Doyle Vineyard Management-Matt & Carre Cornell Cooperative Extension - Yates Camp Arey*** Doyle● Keuka College Century 21 Sbarra & Wells* Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars Curbeau Realty-Bonnie & Dick Curbeau● Hunt Country Vineyards ENGINEERS/SURVEYORS Chip Murphy - Hunt Real Estate* Keuka Spring Vineyards-Len & Judy Kernahan Engineers-Gerald Kernahan● Dick Murphy - Nothnagle Realtors, Wiltberger● KV Engineering, PLLC Hometown Choice - Penn Yan● McGregor Vineyard Winery Richard N. Osgood, PE● Finger Lakes Getaways Rooster Hill Vineyards-Amy & Dave Finger Lakes Premiere Properties Hoffman● FOOD SERVICES/PARTY PLANNING Finger Lakes Realty* Busy Bee Party Assist/Event Planner Jacklinn Carpenter—Realty USA OTHER Crooked Lake Mercantile Keller Williams Real Estate—Stephanie Camp Arey, Inc.*** Java-Gourmet, Inc. Sheak Finger Lakes Connections.com Morgan's Grocery Keuka Lake & Land Realty Finger Lakes Supply - Scott Sprague Naples Valley Brand Products Mark Malcolm II - Century 21●*** The Southern Tier Shopper—Dennis & Marcia Rees - Century 21 Bonnie Colado FURNITURE/FLOORING Michael Hanna - Realty USA Village of Penn Yan Cole’s Furniture & Floor Fashions Nothnagle Realtors - Ken & Diane Frank● Nothnagle Realtors—Hometown Choice Realty USA - DJ Morse

Page 30 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

KLA ORDER FORM

NAME: ______

ADDDRESS ______

______12163

TOTAL AMT ENCLOSED______

Please make checks payable to the Keuka Lake Association and send completed order to PO Box 35, Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Card number: ______

Expiration Date: ___/___ Signature: ______

Are your neighbors members of the KLA? Great Gift Idea!! ____ Dock Plate 6”x12”(excluding #s) - $27 incl. S&H ____ Dock Plate 8”x12”(excluding #s) - $36 incl. S&H* Whether they live on the lake or *(Special order only) anywhere within the watershed, they have Made of aluminum an interest in the future health and viability of Keuka Lake. Why not ask them if they are ____ Numbers - $1.00 each members...and encourage them to join? Why not give a KLA membership as a gift? Fill in your desired numbers here: Applications are also available on our web- site.

* $23 & $32 if purchased at the KLA Office, plus $1.00 for each KLA DIRECTORS & OFFICERS number

President Bill Laffin Barrington Mike Gow

Vice-President Dennis Carlson Steve Hicks

Treasurer Steve Tomlinson Jerusalem Don Wright ____ Two KLA decals - No charge

Secretary Steve Hicks Mike O’Brien ______Business decals also available

At-Large Ira Goldman Milo Michele Rowcliffe KEUKA LAKE DIRECTORY Ron Lowenstein Dick Osgood 2014

Available for $5.00 at: Browsers Longs’ Cards & Books Meg Cole Pulteney Doug DeFranco 33 Shethar Street 15 Main Street Hammondsport, NY Penn Yan, NY Mark Morris Al Wahlig

Diane Edwards Urbana John Hagreen

Candy Dietrich Monique Page ____ LP HOLDERS: $8.00 incl. S&H

Chip Murphy Wayne Wayne Hand Available in the above local stores for $5.00 + tax

Past President Rob Corcoran Steve Tomlinson ____ 2014 Directories: $3.50 S&H

Page 31 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

MEMBERSHIP AND KLA OFFICE INFORMATION

MEMBER APPLICATION KEUKA LAKE ASSOCIATION Membership year runs from April1-March 31 OFFICE

NEW RENEWAL (See membership expiration date The KLA office is located at 142 On your address label.) NAME(S)______Main St, in Penn Yan, the corner of Main & Maiden Lane. Mail to PO 35, MAILING ADDRESS ______Penn Yan, NY 14527. The office is usually open on Tuesdays and CITY, STATE, ZIP ______Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please stop by if you are in the PHONE NUMBER ______village. You can contact the office either by phone: 866-369-3781, lo- E-MAILADDRESS ______Address2______cal 315-694-7324 (answering ma-

KEUKA ADDRESS______chine attached) or email: [email protected].

CITY, STATE, ZIP ______Margo G. McTaggart, KLA Administrative Assistant KEUKA PHONE ______

BUSINESS MEMBER WEB SITE______

Dates I wish to receive mail at KEUKA address: From ___/___ to ___/___ month/day ADVERTISING IN THE KLA NEWSLETTER I wish to receive ___e-newsletters ___e-notices I wish to receive Quarterly Newsletter ___ by US mail ___by e-mail The advertising section of the KLA newsletter is provided as a service MEMBERSHIP TIER (Check one) METHOD OF PAYMENT (Check one) to KLA members only. The ads are restricted to 1/4 page, to fit into a 3 3/4 by 4 3/4 space. It is the re- Business – $50 Check #______sponsibility of the advertiser to contact the KLA office with a re- Business/Personal - $60 Visa quest for ad space in an upcoming issue and send a print ready ad. Basic - $30 MasterCard The deadline for the September 2016 issue is August 1st and will Partner – $50 Amex be accepted in the order submit- ted. However, in an attempt to Sponsor – $100 Discover present an interesting diversity of ads, the KLA editorial staff re- Patron – $150 serves the right to limit the number Join/Renew on line on our of any specific type of ad in any Guardian – $250 & more website given issue. KLA also reserves the right to decline acceptance of an ad deemed inappropriate for the Card number: ______publication. Ad cost for each issue is $50. Thank you to all of the KLA Expiration Date: __/__/__ Signature: ______members who have advertised with us. Mail application and payment to: Keuka Lake Association, P.O. Box 35, Penn Yan, NY 14527

KLA MEMBERSHIP PROCESS The KLA Office apologizes for not including March - Dues renewal notices mailed. your membership expiration date on the ad- dress of your newsletter. The Administrative December - Last newsletter for those who have not Assistant has not been able to enter all of the renewed. Check the expiration date on your ad- renewals into the membership database. It is a dress label and the annual roster very time-consuming process and is continu- December - Membership for NEW members & current ally being worked on. The plans are to have it members who join after Dec.1 will be extended completed before the Annual Meeting. Please through the next membership year: April-March accept apologies for this.

Page 32 June 2016 KLA Newsletter

Keuka Lake Association, Inc. PO Box 35 Penn Yan, NY 14527

The KLA’s mission is to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its natural beauty for future generations.

YOUR JUNE NEWSLETTER HAS ARRIVED!