More activity on Canandaigua Lake? More reason to vote for the lake

A nearly 44% increase in boat traffic on Canandaigua Lake over the past two seasons is one sign of increased activity on the lake. More human activity around the lake is even more reason to stay vigilant about protecting it, say Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association leaders.

With early voting underway and Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, approaching, the Watershed Association is spreading the word about how residents can support the lake by getting more involved and voting. 

“It’s good for everyone to know about the lake,” said Lynn Klotz, who was recently elected as new CLWA president. The CLWA, a nonprofit watershed protection organization of more than 1,000 members, is often in the news for workshops and programs that target invasive species, sampling for blue-green algae, educating about best practices for lake and lawn care, and the like.

Knowing the candidates, where they stand, and looking at what they have done (or not done) in the past is also an avenue toward lake protection -- as is voting, Kotz said.

“Local elections are really important,” said Klotz. 

The CLWA is putting increased emphasis on learning about, and staying in the loop on, development proposals, zoning changes, and other happenings within the watershed municipalities. In all, the health of the lake directly affects residents in 14 municipalities, with about 70,000 people who rely on the lake as their drinking water source. While CLWA members and committees within the organization are focused on staying informed and sharing information, this is something all residents can do.

Jack Dailey, a CLWA member and past president, said each municipality has its own regulations and zoning laws. So residents can play a big part by staying up on what is going on in their own community by attending meetings, following agendas and meeting minutes, and examining decisions made by candidates and elected officials. 

Klotz said residents can and should demand their municipality be transparent and provide accurate, up-to-date information that is easy to access regarding meeting agendas and minutes, zoning laws, development proposals, and budgets. 

When it comes to choosing candidates, Wade Sarkis, a CLWA member and past president, said candidates “all know the catch words.” So it’s important to examine whether their words match their actions.

Klotz used the example of the jump in boat activity on the lake to highlight an issue that elected officials can impact by using their sway. Invasive species can invade the lake by attaching themselves to boats.

Boat inspections, a great deterrent of invasive species, are going strong on the lake. The CLWA and the Watershed Council partner with the Finger Lakes Institute and New York State Parks to help provide watercraft steward coverage for boat inspections at the Canandaigua State Marine Park Boat Launch and the state boat launch in Woodville. According to the CLWA, steward coverage of boats at either launch has been higher than that of any other launch in the region year after year, including 2020. 

Still, the surge in boat traffic — nearly 44%, from 12,203 inspected in 2019 compared with 17,517 in 2020, spells a huge need for washing boats. Canandaigua Lake has no boat-washing stations. While boat-washing stations are expensive, Klotz noted that so are invasive species when they invade the lake.

For more information

To learn more about CLWA, visit canandaigualakeassoc.org.