Keuka Lake Association

STATE OF NEW YORK
YATES COUNTY LEGISLATURE
CLERK’S OFFICE
Penn Yan, N.Y. May 8, 2023
I Hereby Certify, That I have compared the preceding with the original thereof, on file in the
office of the Clerk of the County Legislature at Penn Yan, New York, and that the same is a
correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said original; and that said original was duly
adopted at a meeting of the County Legislature of Yates County held at Penn Yan, New York on
the 8th day of May 2023.
RESOLUTION NO. 236-23
NEW YORK STATE INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK/
GREAT LAKES LANDING BLITZ WEEK
WHEREAS, New York State and Yates County are rich in its lands and waters and that
terrestrial and aquatic invasive species pose a threat to Yates County and are harmful to its vital
robust agriculture and tourism industries and detract from its reputation as a desired recreational
destination; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Yates County are pleased to support initiatives through which
we can illustrate our ongoing commitment to protect these valuable resources which reflect our
noble heritage; and
WHEREAS, the quality of these lands and waters are put at risk by all invasive species
which have been introduced to New York State and Yates County and spread, harming the
environment, the economy and even human health; and
WHEREAS, increased awareness, education and public outreach are needed to prevent
further spread and introduction of invasive species and to encourage a cooperative spirit and to
promote environmental stewardship throughout New York State and among its regional partners
in alliance with private and nonprofit organizations, universities, local, State and Federal
agencies, to help protect its lands and waters; and
WHEREAS, we share a concern for the safety and wellbeing of our environment and
economic prosperity, and all citizens and visitors alike are encouraged to increase their
knowledge, understanding and awareness of invasive species and their damaging environmental,
societal and economic impact on New York State and the entire Nation; and
WHEREAS, summer marks the high season of tourism, boating, hiking, camping
agricultural productivity in New York State and two national prevention campaigns are about to
begin both of which provide an opportunity for all to express support for the goals of these
observances and to extend appreciation to the agencies, businesses, environmental groups,
community organizations and volunteer that are taking action against the introduction and spread
of invasive;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that in coordination with other counties and
regions of the State of New York as well as neighboring States in the Great Lakes Basin, Yates
County hereby designates the week of June 5 �" 11, 2023 as New York State Invasive Species
Awareness Week and period of June 30-July 9, 2023 as Regional Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive
Species Landing Blitz in Yates County; and be it further
RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be provided to the Boards of Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Yates County, the Keuka Lake Association, Seneca Lake Pure Waters
Association, Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, and local media.
ATTEST
Clerk of the Yates County Legislature

The New York State Parks Marine Services Bureau is proud to coordinate New York’s annual
participation in the national Operation Dry Water campaign. This campaign involves law enforcement
agencies statewide to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence of
alcohol, marijuana and other drugs and removing impaired boaters from the waterways. This year,
Operation Dry Water’s national weekend of amplified outreach and coordinated enforcement is July 1-
3, 2023.
Alcohol use continues to be the leading factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor
in boating incidents. New York State Parks is asking boaters to enjoy this boating season and help
keep everyone safe by not drinking alcohol while on the water or operating a boat after you have
consumed alcohol. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and
creates dangerous circumstances while boating.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation Commissioner Eric
Kulleseid said, “The mission of State Parks is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational
opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors �" including on our waterways. Boating while
intoxicated by alcohol, marijuana or other drugs is illegal and jeopardizes the safety of everyone in and
around the vessel. I urge those boating this weekend, and always, to designate a sober driver both on
and off the water so that everyone can safely enjoy our beautiful lakes, rivers and parks.”
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Preservation Marine Services Bureau
Director Paul Littman said, “We want boaters to have a safe and enjoyable experience on New
York’s waterways. Our goal is to educate boaters on the dangers of impaired boating and to remind
them of other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always
wearing a life jacket. In this partnership with Operation Dry Water, we want both operators and
passengers to remain sober and alert and understand the dangers of boating under the influence. We
wish boaters a fun, safe and enjoyable summer while out on the water.”
New York State Park Police Lieutenant Kory Barney said, “Boating under the influence of alcohol
leads to fatal boating accidents throughout the nation. Operation Dry Water’s heightened awareness
weekend will focus on one of the busiest holiday weekends of the summer where increased boating
traffic and alcohol are prevalent. New York State Park Police Marine Patrol Officers will conduct
saturation and extended marine patrols to help deter and enforce a zero-tolerance approach to
boating while intoxicated. We will be working with other State and local agencies to ensure all boaters
are following the law to protect the boating public.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil
Seggos said, “Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law, just like
driving under the influence, and it puts other boaters and bystanders at risk. The July 4th holiday is
especially busy on New York’s waterways and while I encourage people to get out and enjoy the
outdoors with family and friends, safety is the top priority. Our DEC’s Environmental Conservation
Police Officers (ECOs) will join our local law enforcement partners again this year patrolling
waterways and checking on boaters to ensure New Yorkers are following the law to protect
themselves and others recreating in and around the water. I’m hopeful these Officers encounter zero
BUIs.”
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “Boating and drinking do
not mix. In fact, operating a boat while under the influence alcohol or drugs can be just as deadly as
operating a motor vehicle while impaired, and it makes our waterways unsafe for everyone. We want
boaters to enjoy New York’s beautiful lakes and waterways throughout the boating season, but we
urge them to do so responsibly and safely.”
New York also continues to phase in Brianna's Law, which requires all operators of motorized
watercraft to complete a state-approved boating safety course. The law currently requires all
motorboat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1983, to have a boating safety certificate. Beginning in
2025, the law will be fully phased in, and a boating safety certificate will be required of all operators of
motorized watercraft, regardless of age. Failure to comply carries a potential fine of between $100 to
$250. Boaters can find a safe boating course by visiting The New York State Parks boating webpage.
For more information about boating under the influence, visit operationdrywater.org. Operation Dry
Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. Follow the campaign on social media
#OperationDryWater #OpDryWater #ODW23
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250
parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by
more than 79 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call
518-474-0456 or visit parks.ny.gov, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.
###

Keuka Comfort Care Home (KCCH) is looking for kayaker
volunteers for its most important fund-raiser, Krossin’ Keuka, the morning of
Saturday, July 29th.    If you are not familiar with KCCH, we provide
hospice-like, end-of-life service to residents and their families at no
cost.  We are able to do this through
donations and fund-raising events.  One
of our largest fund-raising events is Krossin’ Keuka, where participants get
sponsors and swim across Keuka at Keuka College’s Point Neamo, approximately
2/3 of a mile.
Such an event requires a large number of volunteers to
assure the safety of the nearly 150 swimmers.  We are in need of some additional kayakers who
line the course and provide support for the swimmers as they proceed.  The event begins at 8 a.m. and wraps up
around 11 a.m.   There will be an
orientation/training session on an evening the week before the event,
specific  time and date to be determined.
If you are interested in this fun, but important volunteer
opportunity, we would appreciate your help.
Contact me by email kmjring@gmail.com
or phone 585-261-8375, and I will fill you in on further details.  Thanks for your consideration.
Kevin Ring

Keuka Lake Association is seeking interested members for our Board of Directors.  Our mission is to preserve and protect Keuka Lake and its natural beauty for future generations. We are seeking individuals who are interested in the health and well-being of our beautiful lake. All backgrounds are welcome, especially individuals with a finance, science, social media/marketing or engineering background. Directors are appointed for two-year terms. The Board generally meets monthly on the first Wednesday
evening of each month. 

If you are interested and would like to be considered for nomination as a Keuka Lake Association Director, please send your resume
with contact information and a letter of interest (or if you’d simply like more information) contact Steve Brigham at spbrigham@hotmail.com

It has been a while since we have made KLA merchandise available to our members. We are excited to announce that we are making a limited amount of custom KLA swag available for purchase on Zazzle.com. We expect to add additional items over time, so check back often. From Zazzle.com simply search KLA_Apparel or follow this Link.

Many people like to take firewood from their homes before traveling
to a campsite. Invasive pests like the emerald ash borer or Asian
longhorned beetle often hitch a ride to new areas in untreated firewood.
Transport of untreated firewood across the state has caused outbreaks
of these damaging pests.
Since 2009, New York State has regulated the movement of firewood to
keep the spread of invasives down. Untreated firewood must have been
grown in NY and cannot be moved more than 50 miles from where it was
grown or its source. Producers of firewood for sale are allowed to
declare their business as the source provided the wood was grown within
50 miles of their business and they must maintain documentation. Those
moving untreated firewood for their own use must fill out a Self-Issued Certificate of Origin (PDF).
Treated firewood, which has been heated to a core temperature of 160° F
for 75 minutes and labeled as “New York Approved Heat-treated
Firewood/Pest Free,” can be moved without restrictions. DEC has an
interactive map that shows if firewood’s source and its destination are
within 50 miles. View the map.
Violation of firewood regulations can result in fines, penalties, and
the potential destruction of beloved trees and habitats. The safest way
to enjoy a campfire and protect New York forests is to buy and burn
local firewood at your destination. Read more about New York’s firewood regulations on DEC’s website.

A PDF version of the new 2022 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide is now available to download from the DEC website. Hard copies of the guide are currently being produced and guides are anticipated to be available at License Issuing Agents by the second week of April. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing fwfish@dec.ny.gov. Season starts April 1.

Look for the Zero: Use Only Phosphorus-Free Lawn Fertilizer
DEC encourages homeowners to go phosphorus-free when using lawn fertilizer. Consumers should review bag labels for phosphorus content when shopping for fertilizer. Fertilizer labels have three numbers. The number in the middle is the percentage of phosphorus in the product. Regardless of the lawn's location, excess phosphorus can wash off and pollute lakes and streams, harming fish and ruining boating and swimming. For more information, visit DEC's Lawn Fertilizer webpage.

The KLA would like to recommend three “starter” websites that you can go to and get clear, relevant, and up-to-date information about HABs. The first 2 sites are from the NY Department of the Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the third is from the NYS Department of Health (DOH).


Please use these sites as your first stop:

1. Good overview and up-to-date info on HABs and actions
2. A one-page brochure with quick info and pics
3. A one-page brochure from DOH with quick info and pics

Note: The first website listed has a link to report the possible HAB to the DEC under "Report It!”. You can fill out a form and email it and post a picture to the DEC. The DEC then notifies our KLA CSLAP representative, Lexie Davis, to take a sample which provides results in a few days.

Exotic Fish found in Keuka Lake
Former KLA Board member, Candy Dietrich,
reported finding a strange looking fish on her shoreline (see below).  She contacted NYSDEC and learned that it was
a European Rudd.  This species is a member of the Cyprinidae
family that includes carp and many true minnows. Historic records indicate that the Rudd was introduced to the United States in the early 20th
century.  This fish has been used for bait in Europe and may have been brought to the US for that purpose.  Rudd resemble the native Golden Shiner, a key bait fish.  These two species can breed and their offspring are considered invasive and could impact the health of the
Golden Shiner population. The United States Geological Service reports that the Rudd have been in the US since the first half of 1900s.  It is now recorded in 20 States, including New York; specific areas include Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake.  The Province of Ontario has banned the possession and sale of Rudd in Canada. Preferred habitats for Rudd are still or slow-moving waters with vegetation.
Life History -
Rudd can reach an age of 15 years, are mature at 2 to 3 years, and produce 3,500 to 23,000 eggs, depending on size.  Adult Rudd range in size from 4 to 10 inches, with a Lake Ontario record of 15 inches.   Their identification includes bright red fins, fully scaled belly, eyes red or with a red spot, small upturned mouth, and they are relatively large compared to most minnows. Adult Rudd eat aquatic plants, insects and small fish, while the young feed on algae, snails, insects, worms and other small invertebrates.
If you catch such a fish, it should NOT be released, but taken to shore for disposal.
Picture from Candy Dietrich, Sept 14, 2022; Note prepared by Dieter Busch, KLA Board Member