WNY News Now

(WNY News Now) – Chautauqua, NY – The Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance is pleased to announce the successful partnership with its Members on five significant grant applications in 2023. These grants will contribute approximately $885,000 in new project funding directed to Chautauqua Lake over the next several years, with about $714,000 from the state. The projects funded by these grants cover a diverse range of areas, including invasive species management, stormwater infrastructure, sediment and nutrient management, and flooding reduction. These efforts align with the collective goal of maintaining and improving Chautauqua Lake, a crucial economic and ecological asset for the county.

Grant Details:

1. Village of Lakewood Fairmount Avenue Constructed Wetland Project
   • Grant Amount: $244,876
   • Objective: Construct a new wetland pond system to capture and treat stormwater, enhancing flood resilience and reducing sediment and nutrient transport to Chautauqua Lake.
2. Town of North Harmony Carpenter-Pringle Road Stream Culvert Replacement
   • Grant Amount: $218,800
   • Objective: Replace an aged stream culvert with a larger arch pipe to improve stream function, reduce erosion, and protect road infrastructure.
3. Chautauqua County Bemus Creek Sediment and Debris Management Plan
   • Grant Amount: $50,000
   • Objective: Develop a management plan to mitigate flood risks, erosion, and debris jams in the Bemus Creek watershed.
4. Chautauqua Lake Invasive Species Control Projects
   • Grant Amount: $100,000 each
   • Objective: Implement diver-assisted suction harvesting to control invasive starry stonewort in Prendergast Point and Ashville Bay.

Local Contributions and Acknowledgments:

• The local match for these grants was assembled from various sources, including the Alliance-Foundation Match Fund, the County, and in-kind services by the Town of North Harmony.
• Special thanks to partners such as the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and Chautauqua Lake Association for their contributions to project implementation and invasive species management.

Since 2015, the Alliance has partnered with Members on 30 NYS grants, totaling nearly $6.9 million in project values. These grants significantly amplify local resources and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Chautauqua Lake.

For more information about these projects and others, please contact Alliance Communications Coordinator Jay Young at jyoung@chautauquaalliance.org or visit the Alliance projects page at http://www.chautauquaalliance.org/projects/.