Erin Brickley - Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance

 

John Lloyd announced, Executive Director, Erin Brickley, Chautauqua Lake & Watershed Management Alliance (CLWMA).  Erin is originally from Falconer and returned here 5 years ago to take the current Executive Director position at CLWMA.

 

The CLWMA is a non-profit watershed organization established in 2015.  CLWMA exists to promote and facilitate implementation of recommendations from the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Chautauqua Lake Macrophyte Management Strategy.

 

The Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan exists to implement strategies to improve the watershed.  Some of these strategies include, sewage inputs and wastewater management; agricultural practices; forestry practices; invasive species; planning and land use; and much more.  

 

The Chautauqua Lake Macrophyte Management Strategy is a collection of in-lake measures need to ensure that Chautauqua Lake remains a healthy ecosystem and vibrant community asset.  

The CLWMA exists because of its members!  After the organization incorporated, one of the first steps was a membership drive to individuals and organizations – from a cross section of our community.  The CLWMA was very successful in their first year with 31 founding members.  These members include lake-related organizations and fellow non-profits; area sewer districts; county-wide organizations; business member organization; towns and villages; and county government.  

 

The CLWMA relies a lot on grants to fund operations and implement their strategies for lake and watershed improvement.  In 2015, CLWMA was successful in securing $1,430,892 in grant funding from various local and state resources.  In 2015, CLWMA had an 86% grant success rate and in 2016, their grant success rate was 50%.  

 

Some of the overreaching services that CLWMA provides also include coordination services amongst project partners; identifying and developing major projects related to management of the watershed and water quality; and assistance with grant local match funding requirements.  

 

Some of the current initiatives that CLWMA is working on are:

•    2% Lakes and Waterways Projects
•    Mandated Septic Inspections as of 1/2016
•    Integrated Sewer Management Plan – upgrades as needed at wastewater treatment plants, sewer district and line extensions.

 

The CLWMA’s mission is, “by working in collaboration with as many stakeholders as possible, we deepen our collective focus, strength, and leveraging capabilities, for the benefit of Chautauqua Lake, its watershed, and ultimately, our community.  

 

For more information, please visit the CLWMA web site at www.chautauquaalliance.org.