Fall Creek Watershed Committee Minutes
January 4, 2001

Present: Kate Hackett, Joyce Gerbasi, Steve Lewandowski, Dave Bouldin, Phil Koons, Sharon Anderson, Steve Penningroth, Ken Woodman, Craig Schutt, Tim Patronski, Mary Hegarty, and Yvette deBoer.

Those present introduced themselves; Sharon Anderson distributed the December minutes, three articles, the CLWN watershed issues publication, and a FLLOWPA publication. She then introduced Steve Lewandowski, guest speaker for the meeting.

Guest Speaker

Steve presented information about the Canandaigua Watershed Management Plan including the following.

• The lake is 246 feet deep, 15 miles long, 1.25 miles wide across lake and has a 13-year retention time.
• The lake drains south to north, and there is a city at the north end of the lake.
• Data is necessary to help illustrate what to fix.
• 1989 to 1990 was dedicated to education people about basic watershed concepts and the responsibilities of local governments.
• The watershed includes Ontario and Yates Counties, and 60 municipalities.
• Water is drinking water source both inside and outside of watershed boundaries (Elmira & Newark).
• Established watershed-wide rules [state enabled under public health law that allows additional consideration and legislation] and regs which regulate septic systems.

Developed monitoring program, Steve recommended Biological Stream Testing (1997) authored by NYS DEC as a resource. It provides basic information about macroinvertebrates.

This was good exercise for teachers and students and promoted multi-generational interaction throughout the community. Getting students involved was also critical because they take the message home to their parents.

Steve noted that there was an annual training at Cornell for stream sampling methods and biological assessment; Nancy Tauttman offered it through the Education Department.

Canadaigua sampling program included

• About 20 sampling stations which captures about 75% of the drainage (other 25% too small, along shore, or too steep).
• Both a lake sampling program and tributary program.
• 10 in-lake sampling sites: 3-4 deep sites for vertical sampling, other run along a N - S orientation and are associated with major tributaries.
• 3-4 years of data (sampling monthly & 6 storm events) to get enough data to provide information about wet, dry, and average years.
• Sites were later added to Naples Creek to measure major pollutants (particularly sediment).
• Monitoring chloride, suspended solids, total phosphorous, fecal coliform, and soluble reactive phosphorus.

In 1993, annual salt deicing survey was initiated to track mileage in watershed, amount of salt applied, salt/mile/year (tons), average total salt used, ratio of salt to sand used, how salt used, how salt store, etc. Response was good.

Survey indicated that

• Average to lower than average salt used in area.
• Rochester uses 2 times as much salt to achieve dry roads in all conditions (justified by commuting).
• Application occurred at higher than recommended speeds, spreading salt beyond appropriate areas.

Steve presented three years of water quality data (1997 - 1999) collected from within the watershed. Data was collected and analyzed by SUNY Brockport. (In 1995, NY State passed law requiring that water quality sampling data used for public had to be analyzed by a state certified lab.) Fecal coliform analyzed by local wastewater treatment ($20 - $25 per sample if contracted out).

Watershed management team then developed a monitoring program and solicited proposals; costs about $40,000/year.

The baseline measurements include monthly samples and 6 storm events. The storm event length was then determined to estimate loading from storm event and from baseline conditions.

In 1994, they received a grant from Randy Kuhl to purchase an automated gauge and sampler (Sigma sampler). Using this, a rating curve and stream flow were calculated from data collected from 4/96 to 4/97. Samples taken on Sucker Brook for about 1 year, then put on Naples Creek.

Results of monitoring

• 6 sub watersheds contributed most contaminants (nitrate, nitrite, sediment, chloride, phosphorous, etc.)
• Need more monitoring stations to get better understanding of tributaries contributing most contamination.
• Sucker Brook contributing 70% more phosphorus than what was in deepest part of lake

Actions taken

• Determine priorities (salt not as important as phosphorus)
• Give presentations to ag committee, watershed council, town and city committees, general public

What has happened as a result

• Salt storage barn built to cover Canandaigua salt storage ($250K)
• Polluting dairy farm now in AEM program and doing nutrient management plan for entire farm. Farm did not initially want to comply with recommendations to reduce discharges because of exorbitant expenses. Watershed management team got funding to assist farm.

Need to be careful about forcing people in economically unviable situation. Farmers are big part of local landscapes and need to find solution that works for them.

To begin a comprehensive plan for Cayuga Lake, Steve suggested conducting a literature search for what has already been done. Gene Likens conducted lakewide monitoring plan beginning 1970 or 1971 that gathered weekly (?) data but did not distinguish between storm and baseline sampling. For a Fall Creek plan, choose parameters to measure based on need and funding. Probably should start with sediments and nutrients. Steve suggested about 20 sites for the FC watershed.

Finally, Steve noted the municipal contributions to the Canadaguia Lake Association are prorated and based on 7 factors. Municipal contributions range from $130 to $3500 per municipality.

Other Business

Craig Schutt reported that the EQIP working group met because Fall Creek received $150,000 in funding for manure management. Storage projects will be eligible. NRCS is taking applications now, will then rank them, and forward them on to the state office by July 15, 2001.

Additionally, the FCWC Section 319 mini grant for a stream cleanup was awarded.

The Town of Dryden Project Impact Coordinator is Matt Schulman. He is looking at ways to prevent flood damage proactively. Project Impact wants to be partner on the FCWC Great Lakes Sediment and Erosion Control grant application. They can help provide publicity.

May 5th is stream cleanup, this is day before water week. Cornell Roots & Shoots will also help. Sharon will send out letter to all partners about status of grant.

Joyce and Deb met with the WRC Grants Committee to help coordinate GLC sediment and erosion control grant application. It is due 1/17/01. Deb will get letters of support from Linda Wagenet, Craig Schutt, Jose Lozano, and Kate Hackett. Deb is drafting application now and it is due before next FCWC meeting. The project proposed will look at sites for possible sediment control and erosion demonstration projects. Landowners will have to be contacted and contracted with.

Larry Fisher is organizing a natural resource course for Cornell seniors focusing on Fall Creek. It will have a practical focus. He is interested in getting ideas for potential projects. The course starts at the end of January. Sharon will be speaking to the class in February. Ken, Tim, and Mary will meet with Sharon to discuss potential projects.

Sharon announced that the water steward position is not finalized but she expects to sign contract next week. She noted that the money for her FCWC staff support (from WRC/FLLOWPA funds) goes through CCE. FCWC can retain Sharon or get someone else from CCE to provide staff support. SCWC members asked and Sharon agreed to continue to serve in her current capacity. Sharon will contact the WRC to get final approval, if necessary. FLLOWPA funds run until end of July for staff support; CLWN might be able to provide same support then but interest of WRC/FLLOWPA is to have FCWC be self-sufficient.

Sharon noted that FCWC needs chair and leadership, and at this point she can only provide support. Yvette deBoer and Mary H. interested in serving as Chair, but both have time concerns.

Suggestions for agenda items and guest speakers for upcoming meeting

• May stream cleanup
• Visit Virgil Creek Dam (summer is best)
• Visit Lake Como (concerns of the group are ag impacts and weed control, association has existed for about 12 years and meets 2 times per year, membership is private landowners, May or June is the best time for visit)
• Someone from PA to talk about volunteer monitoring program. (Sharon will check into this)
• Continue discussion on volunteer monitoring and PA process
• Develop program based on model Steve Lewandowski presented

Regarding sampling

• Steve Lewandowski noted that Canandaigua sites are on public right of way
• In Canandaigua, professionals do the sampling with limited sampling by students
• Macroinvertebrate monitoring is good for kids but control of data is critical and it's difficult to get significant data (issue with volunteer data in general)

Dave Bouldin noted the need to carefully consider balance between involving people and utilizing volunteers versus training samplers and getting significant data.

NEXT FCWC MEETING: February 1, 2001

Submitted by Kate Hackett
Water Resources Planner
Tompkins County Planning Department