UPDATE: Since this story aired, the Chautauqua Institution announced that the New York State Senate and Assembly have included $1 million for the lake in their one-house budget proposals after Governor Hochul included it in her Executive Budget Proposal earlier this year. The institution said it's part of a larger, $250 million pledge for clean water projects across the state.
"We commend the New York State Senate and Assembly for prioritizing science-based conservation efforts at Chautauqua Lake, as detailed in their budget proposals released today and following the commitment of $1 million for this effort by Governor Hochul in her State of the State address and Executive Budget Proposal. The significance of Chautauqua Lake has been well documented, as has our research indicating the imperative need for remediation and a sustainable solution to combat the toxicity currently plaguing its waters. Inclusion of this funding in the final budget will allow us to conduct comprehensive monitoring of the lake and deploy targeted mitigation strategies to make it clean and usable for residents and visitors to Chautauqua. This funding will also provide us with information needed to transform this cherished lake, and other freshwater ecosystems across New York State, for future generations. This is an important first step in a transformative, statewide effort.”
ORIGINAL: The Chautauqua Institution, Sheldon Foundation, and other donors helped fund the Jefferson Project, which studies water quality and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
In the 2023 report, showed Chautauqua Lake had an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus as well as HABs, meaning the lake's health is classified as "impaired."
"We want to make sure we not only understand what is happening in our lake, but how we can restore its health," said Michael Hall, President of The Chautauqua Institution.
According to the Chautauqua Institution, the tourism industry generates $600 million annually and provides more than 11,000 jobs and more than $70 million in tax revenue, meaning the health of the lake is imperative.
With invasive species, HABs, and an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus which can kill plants and wildlife in the lake — there is a continued effort to learn more about the lake.
"All of the data points of how we can approach solving the algae problem, as well as the weed problem in the lake ecologically and safely," said John Shedd, VP of Campus Planning for the Chautauqua Institution.
Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel says the findings will hopefully bring the community, state, and federal leaders together to find a fitting solution.
"A unity of effort is what I always stand behind, no one is 100% correct, no one is 100% wrong. We all need to work together. Everything we are doing is helping the lake, so we just need to continue that concerted unified effort," said Wendel.
You can find the full Jefferson Project Report here.
