A look at the lake: Stakeholders
BY Gretchen Messer
Over 20 years ago, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development determined two important elements necessary for successful large-scale management plans: sustainability is best addressed at the watershed level; and sustainability includes working to maintain economic, environmental and social values over time as complementary and interdependent factors. Recognizing that people and nature can exist together is just the first requirement of a watershed management plan. The plan can only be successfully implemented and realized when stakeholders begin to change their behaviors and allow for a balanced coexistence.
This inclusive management style applies to work currently being done to protect and preserve the Skaneateles Lake ecosystem. A vision and goals have been established and action items are being finalized. One of the greatest challenges is to ensure that the action items are implemented. This means that the full (year-round and seasonal) community is committed and involved.
We should feel good that many management practices are already in place. For example, the Town has hired an additional building inspector to help manage the case load and to assisting in identifying and resolving erosion and sedimentation issues from construction sites. People in boats on the water should contact the Town if they observe sedimentation plumes or eroding banks. Often times, these issues can be resolved easily. Furthermore, there are inspectors at the DEC boat launch and Skaneateles Marina working to limit the further spread of invasive species such as the zebra mussel. These inspectors play a key role in water quality education and should be informing boaters of the unique life cycle of zebra mussels that make monitoring so vital, as well as the adverse impacts these mussels have on our Lake. The water quality is being monitored and recorded through a coordinated effort of the Skaneateles Lake Association and the NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation. This is excellent and will go far in managing our Lake. However, there are other stakeholders that need to become more involved.
The number of stakeholders in a clean Skaneateles Lake is extensive. All residents and farmers within the watershed are included, but so are all businesses that operate in this area. This includes local organizations such as the Skaneateles Country Club, the Skaneateles Sailing Club, Mid-Lakes Navigation Company, and even the operators of the Town Beach. It also includes the Town Highway Department and Planning and Zoning Department. The NY State Dept. of Transportation, utility companies, septic system services, landscaping companies and developers are also key stakeholders. Each one of these entities is a point of education as well as action. Short term action is clearly needed, but policy changes that will effect the long term sustainability are critical. Fear of changes to operating costs and profits often limit action, but if no action is taken and the lake quality is reduced, then all profits are lost. Actions based on long-term goals must begin to be implemented. Residents need to call out for these changes… standard operating procedures is a large boat to turn around but the rudder must begin to shift. Change mowing and fertilizing practices, limit vegetation removal and require better management of stormwater in development plans, limit clearing of shoreland, require septic system maintenance, encourage planting to cool runoff surfaces, and reward creative solutions. This is just voices some ideas. Key however, is all stakeholders must listen. The highly comprehensive action plan necessary to protect this Lake requires work to be at both a grand scale, long term and involving considerable expense, and at the grassroots level.
Gretchen Messer is an adjunct professor in landscape architecture at SUNY ESF.
