contact the dec about the wetlands act

Please copy and paste the text below into an email, modify it if you wish, and send to:

WetlandRegulatoryComments@dec.ny.gov

The Subject Line must be:

Wetlands Part 664 Comments

Sample Email Message:

To: WetlandRegulatoryComments@dec.ny.gov

Subject: Wetlands Part 664 Comments

Cazenovia Lake: Preserving Its Identity Beyond the Wetland Classification

The Cazenovia Lake Association, an Association with roughly 500 members is writing to oppose any portions of the lake being reclassified as a wetland.

Cazenovia Lake has long been a cherished natural gem in our community. The Wetlands Law passed in 2022 creates the potential for significant portions of the lake to be classified as a wetland. However, such a classification overlooks the unique ecological and financial significance that define this beautiful lake.

Introduction: Understanding Cazenovia Lake

Nestled in the heart of our town, Cazenovia Lake spans acres of serene waters, surrounded by lush greenery and dotted with homes and recreational spots. It has served as a hub for both residents and visitors, offering not just picturesque views but also a habitat for diverse wildlife and a venue for various activities.

The Push for Reclassification

Under the Wetland Law's new criteria, Cazenovia Lake is at risk of being classified as a wetland due to its shallow depth, aquatic vegetation, and role in regulating water flow.

Why Cazenovia Lake Should Not Be Classified as a Wetland

1. Cazenovia is a Lake, not a Wetland: We firmly believe that the area within the shoreline of Cazenovia Lake is not a wetland. A feature that is commonly used to distinguish a wetland from other ecosystems is its semi-aquatic nature, where plants and animals at a site cycle regularly between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Cazenovia Lake has a distinct, well-defined shoreline that separates terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) environments. Due in part to the dam on the lake outlet and its relatively small watershed, the location of this shoreline does not change significantly over time. There is typically only a roughly 3-4” water level difference between winter and summer levels. The land slope at the shoreline is sufficiently steep so that the variations of the lake level that do occur do not result in cyclical flooding/drying of any significant land area. Features of wetlands that are specifically identified in the Wetland Act regulations (marshes, swamps, sloughs, bogs, and flats) are not found within or along the shoreline of Cazenovia Lake.

We acknowledge that semi-aquatic wetlands do exist in the watershed of Cazenovia Lake. Our Watershed Management Plan specifically identifies two wetlands in the watershed, where water flows from the upper watershed and into the lake. In the Plan, it is acknowledged that management of those wetlands is desirable. We welcome the application of provisions of the NYS Wetlands Act to these semi-aquatic portions of the watershed of Cazenovia Lake. However, we believe that these semi-aquatic land areas do not include any areas within or along the shoreline of Cazenovia Lake.

As you are well aware, water quality management programs are used to maintain or improve water quality in both lakes and wetlands. However, a plan that is appropriate for a wetland may not be applicable to an ecosystem that is in fact a lake. Lake management techniques that have proven to be successful at Cazenovia Lake should not be abandoned because of an inappropriate designation as a wetland.

2. Lake Management: The Cazenovia Lake Association, in cooperation with the Town of Cazenovia, has been executing this previously discussed 121 page Lake Management Plan over the past 15 years. This plan includes herbicide treatments, harvesting and annual weed studies, among other measures, to control the invasive weed Eurasian Milfoil. Additionally, we perform shoreline and water management to reduce the inflow of nutrients where possible as well as water and sediment sampling throughout the year. Without herbicide treatment and harvesting, large portions of the lake will lose its precious biodiversity effectively becoming a stagnant milfoil monoculture. This greatly increases the risk of both invasive weed overgrowth and toxic blue-green algae blooms and accelerates the lake towards becoming eutrophic. These management practices have successfully maintained water quality and preserved biodiversity in Cazenovia Lake. Conservation efforts tailored to its specific characteristics have proven effective, suggesting that existing strategies are sufficient without the need for a wetland classification.

3. Cultural and Recreational Significance: Beyond its ecological value, Cazenovia Lake holds deep cultural and recreational significance for our community. Generations have enjoyed fishing, swimming, boating, and simply enjoying its tranquil beauty. References to sailing on Cazenovia Lake, for example, date back to 1821. Reclassifying it as a wetland could impose restrictions that may hinder these activities.

Conclusion: Preserving Cazenovia Lake's Identity

While recognizing the importance of wetlands in our ecosystem, it is crucial to acknowledge Cazenovia Lake's unique attributes and the effective conservation measures already in place. Instead of reclassifying large swaths of Cazenovia Lake as a wetland, efforts should focus on enhancing its conservation status under its current designation. By doing so, we can ensure that future generations continue to benefit from and enjoy this invaluable natural resource.

Call to Action

Let's work together to protect and preserve Cazenovia Lake, honoring its ecological, cultural, and recreational significance without compromising its identity through unnecessary, even detrimental, reclassification. One direct ask is that the DEC support NYS Senate’s amendment S9799 which proposes exempting navigable waterways from the Wetlands Act.

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