It is time to save the lake. Cazenovia Lake, our crown jewel, is in serious trouble. We need your help to bring it back to health. The invasive species, Eurasian watermilfoil, has taken over more than a third of our 1150 acre lake. Until now, our primary method for controlling weed growth has been harvesting (cutting) weeds. Harvesting hasn’t been able to keep up with the problem and may, according to experts in the field, be contributing to the spread through fragmentation.
We, the residents of this lake community, have a lot to lose if our lake is strangled by milfoil. We stand to lose a beautiful recreational resource as well as the income it provides through a strong tax base. If property values go down because we have an unhealthy lake that no longer attracts visitors and residents, our taxes will increase exponentially. We need to address the milfoil problem and save our lake before this resource is damaged irreversibly.
How do we address this problem? After months of study, reviews with other states and visits to NYS lakes, several groups, including the Lake Association, Lake Foundation, Village and Town Boards, have determined the best method to deal with the severe condition of the lake is to treat the lake with Renovate, an herbicide.
What do we know about the effectiveness of this product? Renovate has been approved by the Federal EPA and has been in use in other states for several years. NYS DEC approved its use in our waters in January 2008. Three lakes in NYS including Saratoga have used the product with remarkable results; however, Renovate is not an instant fix, nor is it inexpensive.
What is the cost of treatment and how will it be funded? The Town and the Village of Cazenovia as well as the Cazenovia Lake Association and the Cazenovia Lake Foundation have all committed dollars to jump start the Renovate program which will cost $400,000 to $450,000 in the first two years. However, without the financial support of the entire community this project cannot go forth.
What are we asking the residents of this community to do? We, the community, have a large stake in the wellness of the lake, and we must raise at least half of this initial two year cost. We already have significant commitments for 2009, but we need to raise approximately $350,000 through public and private community donations to cover the first two years of treatment. We must act soon to raise the bulk of this money before May 1st, so treatment can begin this spring.
We must act now. Please join us, the Cazenovia Lake Association Board members, who have all committed their support to this project. When choosing the level of your donation, consider the importance of a healthy lake to the community and the benefits you derive from the lake. If everyone in the community gave $50, we would easily reach our goal. Think about what it will cost if we do not save our lake now, and please give generously so we can reach the May 1st target.
Every dollar goes toward the Renovate initiative. If you have questions about the project, please email us at renovate@cazlake.org. We thank you in advance for helping to save Cazenovia Lake.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
