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THE DEBRIEF: Breaking down the biggest stories of 2018 (podcast)

THE DEBRIEF: Breaking down the biggest stories of 2018 (podcast)
What were the biggest issues in 2018? Many of them came at the end of the year, as elected officials primed and previewed 2019 agendas. On this episode of The Debrief Podcast, Josh Durso and Ted Baker sit down to discuss what was, and what will be in the world of politics moving forward. . more

CBS features Seneca White Deer on national segment (full segment)

CBS features Seneca White Deer on national segment (full segment)
Earlier this month film makers from CBS were in Seneca County filming a segment, which aired on Sunday. The segment, which was featured during the 10 a.m. hour on CBS Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley – is now available in extended format by clicking here. Dennis Money, President of Seneca White Deer, Inc., called the attention a ‘big deal’ for... more

Owasco Lake council close to hiring executive director

Owasco Lake council close to hiring executive director
The Owasco Lake Management Council is nearly ready to hire an executive director to coordinate the body’s work with all the groups that protect the lake. Council Vice Chair and Cayuga County Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman, D-Sennett, said Tuesday at a meeting of the council that the two finalists, down from the 30 resumes received and five interviewed, were put through... more

Finger Lakes Land Trust, Onondaga County receive millions to protect water quality

Finger Lakes Land Trust, Onondaga County receive millions to protect water quality
The Finger Lakes Land Trust announced Wednesday it was receiving more than $3 million from the state for projects protecting water quality in the Finger Lakes, while Onondaga County received nearly $1 million for work including the Skaneateles Lake Watershed. As part of a $3 million grant through the state’s Water Quality Improvement Project, the Land Trust was awarded $921,000... more

Skaneateles Lake Association receives more than $200,000 for Nine-Element Plan

Skaneateles Lake Association receives more than $200,000 for Nine-Element Plan
The New York Department of State has awarded $235,650 to the Skaneateles Lake Association to develop a plan that would protect water quality and help combat harmful algal blooms, the association announced Thursday. A Nine-Element Plan, frequently referred to as 9E, is one of several watershed-based management plans that outline a strategy to improve water quality within federal Environmental Protection... more

Newark receives New York State Canalway Grant

Newark receives New York State Canalway Grant
The Village of Newark has been awarded a New York State Canalway Grant. The program provides funding for projects that further the goals and objectives of the New York State Canal Recreationway Plan, such as raising public awareness of the historical and current impact of the canal, expanding community engagement and participation in canal programs, and increasing investment in the... more

Sustainability and solid waste management director named

Sustainability and solid waste management director named
Ontario County will start the new year with a new Sustainability and Solid Waste Management Department and a new director of that department. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to endorse the recommendations of a search committee, County Administrator Mary Krause and the board’s Planning & Environmental Quality Committee to name Carla Jordan of Victor to the position, effective... more

Cayuga County Health Department: Put radon testing on resolution list

Cayuga County Health Department: Put radon testing on resolution list
January … a time we look ahead with optimism and intent to better ourselves and how we live. Our resolutions for a new year are often health-oriented with a vow to improve our well-being and safety. We may pledge to lose weight, exercise regularly or eat less fast food. Some resolutions require little sacrifice while others require firm commitment and... more

New York hunters harvested more deer this year than in 2017, DEC says

New York hunters harvested more deer this year than in 2017, DEC says
This year has been a successful one for New York deer hunters. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), hunters of white-tailed deer have reported more success in 2018 than last year through the end of the regular big-game season. Hunters harvested 94,515 deer in 2018, compared with 85,288 and 75,073 through the same period in 2017 and... more

The biggest environmental stories from the Finger Lakes in 2018

The biggest environmental stories from the Finger Lakes in 2018
Looking back on 2018, Gov. Andrew Cuomo deserves a “C-” grade for protecting the environment in the Finger Lakes during his eighth year in office.   His administration certainly got some things right. It set aside $65 million to address harmful algal blooms, or HABS, and much more for upgrades to local water treatment plants.  And after nearly a decade of... more

State provides nearly $1.6M for conservation easements on Cayuga County farms

State provides nearly .6M for conservation easements on Cayuga County farms
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced Thursday that nearly $1.6 million will go toward protecting almost 700 acres of at-risk farmland in Cayuga County. The state’s Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program provides funds to local governments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and land trusts to offset the costs of conservation easements used to protect viable agricultural... more

Concord grape growers get New York state help

Concord grape growers get New York state help
New York is spending $1.3 million to support the state’s Concord grape industry. The money will go to the new Concord Vineyard Improvement Program at Cornell University. The program will help growers renovate vineyards, plant new vines or diversify their operations. New York’s $340 million Concord grape industry has had to endure lower prices tied to a drop in juice... more

Annual meeting highlights farmers’ work to protect Skaneateles watershed

Annual meeting highlights farmers’ work to protect Skaneateles watershed
Farmers from across central New York gathered in Skaneateles Tuesday to discuss the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program’s work in 2018 to protect the lake. Founded in 1994 by the city of Syracuse, SLWAP is a voluntary program that works with farmers within the Skaneateles Lake watershed across parts of Cayuga, Cortland and Onondaga counties to protect water quality. At... more

After new infestation found on Cayuga Lake, experts warn of hydrilla spreading

After new infestation found on Cayuga Lake, experts warn of hydrilla spreading
A new infestation of hydrilla, an invasive species of plant that can choke waterways with its rapid growth, was found on Cayuga Lake in October, prompting experts Wednesday to warn about the plant’s ability to spread. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes the aquatic plant as “the world’s worst invasive plant,” largely for its extreme ability to reproduce. Like... more

Slowing Aquatic Invasive Spread in 2019: NY Sea Grant Watercraft Inspection webinar series starts January 17th

Slowing Aquatic Invasive Spread in 2019: NY Sea Grant Watercraft Inspection webinar series starts January 17th
The 2019 edition of the Watercraft Inspection Program Leader educational webinar series developed by New York Sea Grant and featuring coastal science and AIS specialists begins on January 17 and will connect participants from multiple states. Four sessions in the webinar series will address issues associated with recreational boating as a key pathway in the spread of aquatic invasive species... more

Comptroller says landfills cost local government big over time

Comptroller says landfills cost local government big over time
Local governments that own landfills face nearly $300 million in estimated long-term costs for their active and closed landfills, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Much of these costs are associated with the decades-long monitoring and maintenance required to prevent waste and contaminants from seeping into groundwater. “Owning a landfill can generate significant revenues,... more

Crestwood’s opportunity to appeal permit denial passes; marking end of long-term fight along Seneca Lake

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The time for Crestwood Midstream’s subsidiary Finger Lakes LPG to appeal the Department of Environmental Conservation’s denial of a permit for underground gas storage along the shores of Seneca Lake expired on December 14, 2018. “Now that we are sure Crestwood cannot challenge the Commissioner’s decision, we can mark our final victory in an 8-year epic David vs. Goliath battle... more

Thousands of gallons of sewage discharged into Skaneateles Creek

Thousands of gallons of sewage discharged into Skaneateles Creek
Heavy rainfall and snow melt caused an estimated 858,000 gallons of partially treated sewage to discharge into Skaneateles Creek Sunday night over an 11-hour period, according to the NY-Alert system. Discharging the sewer overflow took place around 9 p.m. Sunday night. Sewer overflow includes discharge from sewer systems bringing stormwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater into the treatment facility, according... more
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