Great Lakes Action Agenda Public Meeting

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is holding a series  of regional workgroup meetings to engage with the public about New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda 2023 (GLAA) (PDF). The workgroups will assist in the implementation of the action plan to guide restoration and conservation and foster sustainable, resilient communities across New York’s Great Lakes region.

Announced in July 2023, the Action Agenda is a strategic ecosystem-based action plan to guide restoration and conservation and help communities in New York’s Great Lakes Basin better prepare for flooding and severe weather events driven by climate change. Building on the foundation of the first GLAA released in 2014, the updated plan provides a shared vision and blueprint for achieving healthy Great Lakes lands and waters through coordinated, collective action by the many federal, state, and local partner organizations working throughout the watershed.

The upcoming southeastern workgroup meeting will be held:

Southeast Lake Ontario:
Nov. 29, 1 – 4 p.m. – McCrobie Civic Center, 21 Lake St., Oswego

Let’s Talk Lake Ontario Webinar Series – Green Stuff in the Water: No Day at the Beach

Let’s Talk Lake Ontario Webinar Series – Green Stuff in the Water: No Day at the Beach

Join the Lake Ontario Partnership for a one-hour webinar talking about Cladophora! Wednesday, November 17th Noon – 1:00 P.M.

What is Cladophra

Cladophora are those green mats of algae in the water that you may have seen on beaches and along shorelines in Lake Ontario. While Cladophora is necessary for a healthy ecosystem, when nutrient levels in the water are too high—i.e., from lawn fertilizers, agricultural and urban runoff, and septic and sewage treatment systems—we see too much Cladophora growth. This can present aesthetic and odor issues that impair recreational uses of the lake, as well, decaying Cladophora harbors bacteria that can pose health threats to humans, fish, and wildlife.

Link to join: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/onstage/g.php?MTID=e2314291261b79dedf2f9a22a20369aa6

Event number: 161 404 9404

Event password: welcome1

Guest speakers
David Depew, Research Scientist, Environment and Climate Change Canada,  Mary Anne Evans, Research Ecologist, United States Geological Survey, Greg Ford, Great Lakes Water Monitoring Manager, Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative

Agenda
12:00 – 12:05 Welcome
Moderator: Emma Tahirali, MECP

12:05 – 12:15 State of Lake Ontario overview
Luca Cargnelli, ECCC; Kristina Heinemann, US EPA
12:15 – 12:25 Introduction to Cladophora in Lake Ontario – What is it and why it’s a problem
David Depew, ECCC
12:25 – 12:30 Nutrient management
Luca Cargnelli, ECCC; Kristina Heinemann, US EPA

12:30 – 12:40 Cladophora monitoring work
Mary Anne Evans, USGS
12:40 – 12:50 Community/citizen science profile: The Visual Assessment Survey Tool
Greg Ford, Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative
12:50 – 12:55 Audience Q&A
Moderator: Emma Tahirali, MECP
12:55 – 1:00 News you can use
Dr. Joan Kennedy, DEC; Emma Tahirali, MECP

Webinar Registration

 

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