Latest update from Silver Lake watershed Commission Jan 2023

January 19, 2023 Silver Lake Watershed Commission (SLWC) Meeting Summary

  Ron Norton attended the January 19, 2023 SLWC meeting, representing the Silver Lake Association (SLA).

  Steven Perkins (from Wyoming County) updated the group on actives relevant to Silver Lake.

  Waterfront Revitalization Project. On January 04, 2023 notification was received that a Water Resource Agency grant was awarded. The award is for $175k (15% is local $$s). This is a study grant to develop a comprehensive plan for Silver Lake. The study area includes the lake, Lake District, and the Outlet. The study scope will include everything from water quality and watershed issues to economic development, tourism, and access to the lake along with anything you can think of that benefits/impacts Silver Lake. The study is expected to take 1.5-2 years to complete and will result in a comprehensive plan. Once this plan is completed implementation grants will be sought. A broad-based committee will be established and populated over the next several months. A consultant is also being identified. There will be SLA representation on this committee. This fits in with the Dredging Project.

  Dredging Project. A two-pronged effort is underway. A property lease agreement is being finalized along with a comprehensive dredging plan that will be submitted to DEC for approval. The goal is to have both efforts in place by mid-year 2023 so that grant applications for the dredging project can be submitted with an eye toward implementation in fall/winter 2024. There will be a maintenance piece within the dredging plan. There appears to be economic development buy in and there will be opportunities for SLA members to help with area boat tours.

Dredging Update July 2020

Progress Continues: The SLA received this letter from the Wyoming County Water resource Agency

Wyoming County Water Resource Agency

%Wyoming County Health Department ,

Attn: Stephen D Perkins,

5362A Mungers Mill Rd.,

Silver Springs, NY 14550

Phone: (585) 786-8894 or

Email: sperkins@wyomingco.net

luly 27, 2020

Mark Emmerson

SLA President

P.0. Box 265

Silver Lake, New York 14549

Dear Mark,

After earlier delays due to weather conditions and more recently with COVID-19, Phase 2 of the

Silver Lake Dredging Project has been completed. The following are the results of the sediment

sampling and bathymetric survey that was completed during this phase :

Sediment Sampling Overview:

Included with this correspondence is a map indicating the sediment sampling collection points. One

sample near the Walker Road bridge had a DDT (and its derivatives) level slightly above the Class A threshold level, and one sample closer to the main lake body with copper slightly above Class A level. Overall, and as expected, the sediment in the main lake had lower levels of contaminants than the Outlet sediments and with only minor exceedances and could be argued to be Class A

sediments only.

Survey Results

Attached is a map ( See below) indicated the results of the bathymetric survey assessment, depth of sediment and locations are identified. Based on this information there is approximately 36,000 cubic yards of sediment in this portion of Silver Lake. This estimate also includes areas partially within the NYSDEC WMA and all along the edges of the shoreline but does not include the material identified in the outlet study. The amount of

sediment identified in the outlet study will be included as part of the total dredging project .

With this supporting data, a preliminary plan of action is being developed to submit, and discuss with, NYS DEC. Once this has occurred, and we are provided with feedback, another meeting of the Silver Lake Dredging Committee will be held to review the options available to complete future phases of this much needed dredging project. While funding options are limited now, primarily due to the COVID-19 crisis, it is the goal of this agency to be prepared to move forward on this project once those opportunities are made available .

With the Silver Lake Association being a primary member of the Silver Lake Dredging Committee, and

as part of the memorandum of Understanding addressing Phase 2 funding (Copy Attached), an invoice in the amount of $14,975.00 also included with the correspondence for your attention .

I look forward to meeting with you in the near future as we review the options presented to complete the dredging project but if you should have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Perkins

WCWRA Administrator

Sampling plan

The yellow icons on the map indicate where samples are proposed to be taken. Sampling will be conducted in both the area to be dredged and where the sediment is to be deposited.

Proposed Plan

Our suggested option has three (3) components:

1) After dewatering near the class “B” material current location(s), dispose of all dried class “B” materials to suitable off-site waste location. This should be a one-time effort because the class “B” material is localized.

2) After dewatering near the final deposition site, spread the class “A” materials on farm land adjacent to the lake/outlet. The key step here is to identify the farmer/landowner partner. Suitable sites are located along Oatka Rd to the E and W of Walker Rd on land owned by McClurg that is farmed by True. It would make sense to place the “A” material from the Outlet and Lake onto the E- and W-side of Walker Rd properties, respectively. In this scheme, the distances to pump the dredging materials would not be excessive and the pumping machinery or piping would not cross any roadway. The farmer would receive safe, nutrient-rich sediment and they would be helping to improve Silver Lake’s overall health. Maybe the farmer could receive some sort of a tax break from the municipality. This component can be implemented again for maintenance efforts.