FEDERAL FUNDING UPDATE!
Funding for the dredging project after the pilot is complete (see below) is on the house floor now with ONLY $1 million allotted. However, this isn't fully secured yet, as House-Senate negotiations are ongoing with final text expected by month's end. We need to push for the full $3 million to restore water quality, boost tourism and project our lake as a vital drinking water source.
How You Can Help
Residents, your voice matters! Take a minute to contact:
• Rep. Claudia Tenney: Thank her and urge max funding. Call 716-514-5130 or email Contact | Representative Claudia Tenney
• Sen. Chuck Schumer: Rochester office 585-263-5860 or schumer.senate.gov/contact.
• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: 585-263-6250 or gillibrand.senate.gov/contact.
SAMPLE EMAIL - CUT/PASTE
Subject: Urgent: Support Full $3 Million Funding for Silver Lake Dredging
Dear Senator/Congresswoman [Last Name],
I am writing as a concerned Wyoming County resident to strongly urge your support for the full $3 million in federal appropriations needed to advance the Silver Lake dredging project. After decades of discussion, planning, and community advocacy, this is the first time a realistic, science‑based, and fully coordinated plan is ready to move forward.
Wyoming County is preparing to launch a pilot dredging phase as early as Fall 2026, pending DEC approval. This pilot is a critical step — but it is only the beginning. The full dredging effort, from inlet to outlet, cannot proceed without the $1 million appropriation and the additional $2 million top‑up currently before Congress. Without this funding, the project stalls, and the progress our community has worked toward for more than 30 years is put at risk.
Silver Lake is not just a recreational asset; it is a vital drinking water source and an economic anchor for our region. Sediment buildup has reached a point where inaction threatens water quality, ecological health, and long‑term sustainability. We finally have momentum, alignment among agencies, and a clear path forward. What we need now is federal support to finish what this community has waited far too long to begin.
I respectfully but urgently ask you to ensure this appropriations request moves forward. Supporting this funding is supporting public health, environmental stewardship, and the long‑term resilience of Wyoming County.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue and for your continued service to our region.