Heather Nolan-Caskey, who was announced by the Chautauqua Lake Association board as the organization’s new general manager over the weekend, is pictured. Photo courtesy of the CLA’s Facebook page

Heather Nolan-Caskey will lead the Chautauqua Lake Association.

The Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA) Board of Directors announced over the weekend that Nolan-Caskey has assumed an expanded leadership role as general manager, replacing former executive director Doug Conroe.

Nolan-Caskey brings experience in office management, in-lake operations and community service initiatives. She also oversees the CLA’s Watercraft Steward program, now in its 10th year.

According to CLA First Vice President Don Emhardt, Conroe retired from his position as executive director.

“He decided late June or early July,” Emhardt said.

This year has been a difficult year with weeds in the southern basin. The weeds have been particularly bad in Burtis Bay. Still, Emhardt insisted that had nothing to do with Conroe deciding to leave.

While Burtis Bay has been bad, Emhardt, who is the supervisor for the town of Chautauqua, said in the north basin, there aren’t a lot of weeds. They’re mostly dealing with removing starry stonewort in that area.

The CLA will be working in Ashville Bay next week.

Before the season began, there had been hope that this year there would be fewer weeds due to the deep freeze over the winter. But that wasn’t the case.

When asked why he thinks the weeds are worse this year, Emhardt replied, “I can’t give you a cause. I really don’t know why.”

Even though the state has reclassified parts of Chautauqua Lake, Emhardt doesn’t believe that is at fault for the additional weeds.

“All they did was classify six feet of water as wetlands. You just need a permit now,” he said.

The last couple of years haven’t been as bad as this year. In 2022, there were a number of residences and businesses that appeared before the Chautauqua County Legislature complaining about the weeds and the smell.

As part of the solution, the county helped purchase a new conveyor and off-loading system in Celoron.

While Chautauqua Institution has been studying the weed problem, Emhardt said their focus is mostly on Harmful Algal Blooms, not nuisance weeds.

A newsletter on the CLA website announced Conroe was appointed as executive director following the 2015 season, taking over for General Manager Paul Swanson.