There is a lot happening on Chautauqua Lake.

Late last week, the county Health and Human Services Department’s Public Health Division noted a widespread blue-green algae bloom in the south basin of the lake. Controversy continues to surround efforts to apply herbicides to three areas of Bemus Bay. Efforts continue to construct sewers around the lake. And, several groups are working on natural solutions to some of the lake’s isssues by constructing natural buffers, working to prevent erosion of the lake’s shorelines and trying to keep fertilizers and phosphorus out of the lake.

Why is all of this important?

Properties surrounding Chautauqua Lake comprise one-quarter of the county’s entire taxable value. The lake, with little additional organized programming, spurs big-ticket purchases like boats that generate big chunks of sales tax revenues for local governments, vacation homes that build the area’s tax base and purchases in grocery stores, shops and restaurants that keep hundreds of area residents employed. It is of vital interest to all county residents — even those who will never own a boat or swim in the lake — that the weeds and blue-green algae issues that have plagued the lake in recent years be resolved.

Saturday’s Celebrate the Lake Rally brings everyone who cares about the future of Chautauqua Lake an opportunity to hear from all of the groups working to improve the lake. From 9 a.m. to noon at the Village Casino in Bemus Point, there will be discussions of lake improvement efforts, efforts to bring additional investment to the lake, current initiatives and how the lake is viewed nationally. Several lake organizations will have information available and there will also be a discussion of Camp Onyahsa’s history and plans for expansion.

We hope to see a lot of our friends and neighbors at the Village Casino on Saturday morning.