To The Reader’s Forum:

This letter is in reaction to the March 2 news article stating the DEC’s apparent intent to unfairly declare parts of the south basin of Chautauqua Lake a regulated wetland. I have studied the new rule, attended the informational session, asked questions, and submitted comments, all without ANY response at all. As written, the proposed wetland classification definitions are broad enough that the littoral zone of every single lake in New York state would qualify as a wetland, so I ask why? There is no benefit consistent with the stated goals of wetland preservation (such as deterring development – it’s already developed), so what is the motivation for singling out the south basin of Chautauqua Lake? Plenty of Democrats live here too, and don’t always vote party line if local interests are not represented.

Regulating this as a wetland will impose extreme barriers that will inevitably result in accelerating the decline of an already challenged ecosystem due to years of poorly managed invasive species control in this lake, which is finally being overcome through persistent efforts of the people (despite a minority of herbicide opponents). Please refer to the DEC’s own quote below…

“Concerns about the use of herbicides should be balanced against the ecological damage caused when invasive plants spread through a lake ecosystem, creating “biological pollution” and drastically altering the ecological balance. Aquatic herbicides can provide at least temporary control of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). This pernicious, exotic weed has not been consistently controlled by any other whole-lake strategies.”

Diet for a Small Lake – NYS DEC, p 154 2nd edition 2009.

In addition to just looking beautiful since 2022, this area of the lake is healthier, with clearer water, low growing aquatic weed cover, less bottom muck, no dead fish, no rotting vegetation, and fewer HABs (exactly opposite to anti-herbicide opinions). Aquatic survey data from 2022 and 2023 documented sparse vegetation, which further contraindicates designation of ANY part of the south basin as wetland (in comparison to the north end, or for that matter any other lake in NYS). We need to preserve the ability to use all tools available, including herbicides to continue this progress, and allow for native aquatic vegetation to recover predominance and a more natural balance to be restored. The conditions we saw in 2018 are gone and we never want to go back to that mess.

Designation as regulated wetland under the coming 2024 rule will equate to purposeful mismanagement with the intent to convert what is now a lake, into a swamp by allowing invasive species to reestablish and proliferate. This will punitively impact hundreds of property owners as well as members of the community that enjoy shared access points throughout this end of the lake. Property values and tax revenues will plummet, affecting all the towns and villages on the south basin, and tourism will decline, which Chautauqua county is highly dependent on. We do not need nor welcome more economic challenges, especially those self-created through actions of the state.

Our community needs to stand together to preserve and protect this beautiful lake from the “biological pollution” of unchecked proliferation of invasive species. I urge you to please reach out to your local, county, and state elected officials and write directly to the DEC region 9 director, Julie Barret-O’Neil to request that she officially recant the statement quoted in The Post-Journal and Dunkirk OBSERVER articles and make it clear that no additional part of Chautauqua Lake will ever be declared as a regulated wetland.

Jackie Damore

Ellicott