Citizen Led Environmental Action Network at Silver Lake
The resource and advocate for betterment of water quality at Silver Lake.
SAVE THE DATE! CLEAN GOLF TOURNAMENT 7/12/2026
MANAGING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS WITH ULTRASOUND
CLEAN IS NEGOTIATING A RENTAL CONTRACT FOR AN MPC BUOY FOR USE ON SILVER LAKE IN 2026~
MANAGING ALGAE BLOOMS THE CLEAN WAY! This buoy is a solar powered, nonchemical solution with built in water testing capabilities that is used to combat HAB's and provide real time water quality data. We are currently negotiating a 4-month trial rent to own contract for 2026 and have also started a grant application for a purchase of one of these units (retail cost is over $70,000).
More information can be found at: MPC-Buoy | Monitor and Control Harmful Algal Blooms - LG Sonic
Other options are being vetted as well. Go to: 4. Introduction to treatment strategies – HCB-2 for more information.
Learn how to identify problematic algal blooms and, if warranted, to report them online through the DEC New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS).
https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications
SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY AT SILVER LAKE – NOW HIRING!
PAY $20.13/HOUR - 40 HOURS/WEEK - MAY-SEPTEMBER
Position: Watercraft Inspection Steward / Environmental Educator
Schedule: Friday–Monday, 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
What You’ll Do:
- Conduct voluntary watercraft inspections
- Identify, remove, and properly dispose of aquatic plants
- Educate boaters and visitors about invasive species prevention
- Distribute educational materials
- Collect and record environmental data
- Support additional stewardship tasks as needed
Who We’re Looking For: Applicants who have completed or are currently pursuing studies in:
- Natural resources
- Biology
- Environmental studies
- Recreation
- Education
If you’re passionate about protecting local waterways and enjoy working outdoors, this is a great opportunity to gain hands‑on experience.
Scan the link to learn more and apply.
CONVERT TO LED FLARES FOR THE 2026 RING OF FIRE
50% OF LAKE RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY USING LED FLARES FOR THE JULY 3RD RING OF FIRE! JOIN THE CROWD!
With over 750 LED flares purchased by lake residents in 2025, CLEAN was able to meet the goal of 50% conversion to LED Flares. In 2026, we will again be promoting this program with discounts for lake residents. . You can pre-order yours now for pick up/payment in the spring of 2026 and make the switch to LED for a cleaner Ring of Fire!
NOTE: Chemical flares produce toxins that negatively impact humans, plants and water bodies. Help keep our lake clean and reduce excess nutrients and toxins in our air by making the switch to LED flares.
THANK YOU TO PERRY ROTARY FOR THE GENEROUS DONATION!
Perry Rotary made a $10,000 donation to CLEAN@Silver Lake.at their October 30th meeting. This gift strengthens our mission to improve water quality and promote sustainability throughout the watershed. THANK YOU, PERRY ROTARY, FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
LOCAL WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (LWRP)
THE LWRP WILL BE THE GATEWAY FOR FUNDING CRITICAL LAKE/WATERHSED INIATIVES. DREDGING, WEED MITIGATION AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE STATE LAUNCH ARE CLEAN PRIORITIES!
Th LWRP is a partnership with waterfront communities across NYS to address local waterway issues, improve water quality and natural areas, guide development to areas with adequate infrastructure and services away from sensitive resources, promote public waterfront access, and provide for redevelopment of underutilized waterfronts. The LWRP uses substantial public input and then serve as keys to unlock doors to resources to implement (for CLEAN@SILVER LAKE – dredging and weed mitigation and improvements at the State Launch are the focus). More information on the LWRP can be found at: https://dos.ny.gov/local-waterfront-revitalization-program
The draft for the Phase 1 of the LWRP has been distributed to the WAC committee for review/editin. . Five CLEAN members are on this board and have submitted updates to make sure our priorities are included.
Proposed Weed Removal Program-DEC Permit and Funding Needed
CLEAN/Bob Michalski has applied for a permit for weed removal/treatment (submitted 9/2025). As of 2/7/2026, the DEC still has the permit request under review and has not approved/responded.
We have been following up with the DEC on the status of the permit approval and may resubmit a permit request for a smaller project scope project.
CLEAN WORKS TO ERADICATE JAPANESE KNOTWEED AROUND THE LAKE
CLEAN Team members led by Frank Bright have worked tirelessly to eradicate Japanese Knotweed around the lake. This year, the team visited all previously treated sites. The overall JK kill-off has been excellent. Team members secured all property owner permissions and new vendor quotes to execute two (2) JK treatments at the Silver Lake Country Club in ’25. The sites are located at the creek paralleling Pvt Dr 1 (near the hole 14 “T” box) and along Luther Rd parallel to the Hole 13 fairway. Native plants will be planted by the CLEAN once these sites have been cleared of the knotweed.
THE ISSUE WITH KNOTWEED:
Knotweed's early spring emergence and dense growth give it a competitive advantage over native plants, enabling it to take over large areas. Its thick rhizomes can extend horizontally through soils for 60 ft. or more. Plants can emerge through concrete and asphalt, with potential impacts on infrastructure.
MANAGEMENT:
Knotweed can be very difficult to control, depending on the extent (size) and location of the infestation. A stem injection or foliar treatment with systemic herbicide is the most effective management. Individual plants can be dug, if all pieces of the root are removed. However, keep in mind that knotweed roots extend up to 6 ft. down and very small pieces of roots are able to re-sprout. For the same reason, be mindful when mowing or otherwise cutting knotweeds, as plant fragments transported on mowers, etc., will spread the species. Whether using chemical or manual means of removal, 3-5 years of treatment should be expected.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:
Japanese Knotweed – Profile and Resources | Invasive Species Centre
CLEAN DONATES WATER SAMPLING EQUIPMENT TO PHS PROGRAM
Clean has donated $1200 towards water sampling equipment for Todd Shuskey's PHS class for their program testing and monitoring Silver Lake. Todd serves on the CLEAN team and we appreciate all of the work he and his class do to support our lake.
CLEAN AT SLM 2025 LAKE LIFE EVENT!
Perry High School’s Teacher Todd Shuskey, and his students have been hard at work studying Silver Lake—conducting tests, mapping weeds, and researching fish populations. They were at the Lake Life event presenting their research to Silver Lakers!
2025 is the Year of the Milkweed! We gave away 130 milkweed plants to lake residents to start/add to their pollinator gardens! Thanks to Kelly McMurtry for all your work starting from seed over 100 plants and working at the event educating lakers about the importance of milkweed plants for monarch butterflies.
The Boat Steward Erika and Emily and their invasive species/spin the wheel win a prize and promotion of the Clean/Drain/Dry boating message to stop the spread of invasive species into our lake were a hit with lakers!
We also sold 40 LED Flares and CLEAN hats!
Thanks to Silver Lake Marine for having CLEAN at your event!
Temperature Array
The temperature array is designed to accurately record depth- and time-dependent data from the lake at 15-minute time intervals throughout the year. These data are used to observe in-lake mixing events / ‘turn over’ in real time. In the warmer summer season, lake-wide mixing events are often precursors to algae blooms (nutrients from sediment in the lake sediment + delivery to the lake surface + sun light = algae growth). August 30, 2025 showed this missing event and the September HAB event was a direct result.