Senator John A. DeFrancisco is pictured with, from left to right, State Senators Seward and Nozzolio, OWLA President James Beckwith and Assemblyman Gary Finch during a press conference and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Owasco Lake on July 13, 2015.

The Cayuga County state legislators secured $600,000 in the State Budget to support ongoing and long-term efforts to improve water quality throughout the watershed. Owasco Lake is currently on the New York State Priority Waterbody Listing as “potentially impaired” for such uses as water supply and recreation. Water quality improvement projects will address phosphorous removal and reduction, lake inspections, ongoing research, public education and outreach, and project management.