To the editor:
I write in response to Dr. York’s and Mr. Sullivan’s criticism of my letter of November 15. In that letter I wrote of problems inherent to the use of Renovate in Cazenovia Lake. In evaluating their response, I note that Mr. Sullivan has an a apparent conflict of interest in giving an opinion as he is employed by a company that profits from the application of Renovate and other chemicals.
I would like to pose a few questions to Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan. What happens to the nutrients contained in Millfoil when it is killed by Renovate? Are these nutrients released to the lake floor and into the water column of the lake? As the dead Milfoil rots, does it lower oxygen concentrations in the lake water? Is rotting organic material known at times to result in fish kills from lowered water oxygenation? If Renovate is safe to use in drinking water sources why has Skaneatles Lake not used Renovate to control its Milfoil problem? Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan state that before Renovate is applied to the lake “potential benefits are expected to outweigh any potential side effects”. I believe they are referring to a risk benefit analysis, with the use of “side effects” replacing the correct term, risk. What are the known risks of application of Renovate?
Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan claim that the cost of harvesting Milfoil from the Cazenovia Lake “would be approximately $350,000 per year making harvesting unaffordable. In fact, Dick Ford harvested the lake for the lake Association for $30,000 per year or less: one tenth the estimate provided by Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan. For this reasonable compensation, Mr. Ford harvested the lake six days a week from dawn to dusk throughout the season during which Milfoil grew. His effort was extremely effective clearing the lake for recreational use.
Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan claim that no blue green algae was “reported” in Cazenovia Lake in 2017. They then employ this observation to suggest that Renovate does not “appear to significantly promote the growth of blue green algae”. I observed blue green algae in numerous blooms early last summer near the west shore. Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan are incorrect, blue gree algae was present. What is not present is a mechanism for monitoring and reporting the presence of this hazard in the lake. In service to the safety of all who use Cazenovia Lake, a mechanism for monitoring the presence of blue green algae should be constructed and implemented by the Lake Association and local officials.
Included in the November 29th issue of The Republican is a statement by Mr. Sam Woods representing the Cazenovia Lake Association in which Mr. Woods states: “The lake looked very good this year”. Unfortunately, this is not accurate. In the decades I have lived on Cazenovia Lake I have never observed the water quality to be as poor as it was last spring and summer. Many of my friends and acquaintances also commented on the poor water quality. As a matter of observable fact, the lake did not look good this year.
I was dismayed to observe that there was no mention at the Cazenovia Lake Summit of the filthy water and sediment flowing into the lake through the canal during periods of heavy rain. The flow of filth into the lake from the New York State owned canal is a long standing, and well known problem. Why was this not addressed at Cazenovia Lake Summit? When the canal flows into the lake, the filth laden water enters the lake next to the public swimming area. This should be a primary concern of the village, town and Cazenovia Lake Association.
Dr. Yorks and Mr. Sullivan dismiss the option to dredge the lake as “very expensive”. However, they ignore the fact that much of the silt accumulated throughout the southern portion of the lake is the result of flow of silt and nutrients flowing from the canal into the lake. The canal is not a naturally occurring structure, it is a man made structure, owned by New York State, and controlled by dams owned and operated by New York State. Consequently, New York State bears a responsibility for silt and filth entering the lake. As such, I suggest that the town, village and Cazenovia Lake Association approach New York State to request help in obtaining a grant to dredge the lake to correct this problem which devolves from the NYS canal. We will have no chance of obtaining a grant unless the village, town and Cazenovia Lake Association make this request to the appropriate NYS officials.
The serious problems affecting Cazenovia Lake threaten the wellbeing of our community. In order for these problems to be corrected, they must first be recognized. A good start is to agree that the lake does not look great.
Richard P. Kavey, M.D.
Cazenovia
