New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the finalization of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved nutrient pollution reduction “budget” to help restore the water quality of Cayuga Lake's southern end for recreation and help protect drinking water. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the lake provides a detailed analysis of phosphorus pollutant sources, recommends a 30 percent reduction of phosphorus from the watershed to meet the lake’s water quality standards, and will be used by stakeholders throughout the entire watershed to improve water quality.
“DEC is committed to protecting Cayuga Lake by safeguarding water quality, restoring ecosystem health, and bolstering community resilience against pollutants that can damage long-term water quality,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “Thanks to the cooperation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this pollution budget will help guide strategies to significantly reduce phosphorus loads, curtail harmful algal blooms, and will be instrumental in safeguarding the long-term health of the entire Cayuga Lake watershed.”
“The new phosphorus limit will help ensure that Cayuga Lake remains an asset for the communities along its shores and a major attraction for tourists wanting to take in the beauty of the iconic Finger Lakes,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said. "By working together with New York State, we’re tackling pollution at its source and setting up long-term solutions to keep the lake clean and healthy.”
The TMDL incorporates years of scientific research, modeling exercises, and analyses that will focus ongoing nutrient reduction strategies in the watershed, effectively and efficiently. DEC took a whole watershed approach to develop the TMDL to restore the impaired southern end of the lake and to protect other areas. This allows stakeholders to actively use the TMDL throughout the entire watershed to improve Cayuga Lake’s water quality. The TMDL is posted on DEC’s Clean Water Plans webpage along with the response to public comments and supporting documentation.
Adding to the Harmful Algal Bloom Action Plan Initiative for Cayuga Lake (PDF), the TMDL provides a detailed analysis of phosphorus sources and accordingly recommends phosphorus load reduction strategies for the entire watershed. In addition, because the TMDL was developed for the entire Cayuga Lake watershed, municipalities and other stakeholders outside of the impaired southern end segment can utilize the TMDL when applying for Water Quality Improvement Project grants. Already, DEC awarded nearly $56 million the WQIP program since 2013 to improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source in the eastern Finger lakes.
The TMDL recommends a 30 percent reduction in phosphorus loading from the whole watershed to meet the TMDL’s targets. Nonpoint source sectors, including runoff from agricultural and developed lands, forest and onsite septic systems, contribute more than 90 percent of the phosphorus to the lake. Point source contributions from wastewater treatment facilities and other facilities permitted to discharge water to the lake are relatively small (approximately 10 percent). Concurrent with TMDL development, two wastewater facilities are being modified to include phosphorus concentration limits to reduce their impacts on the lake.
Nonpoint source implementation components include watershed best management practices focused on the agricultural sector, which was found to be the largest contributor of phosphorus to the lake, and general conservation efforts such as erosion control, fertilizer phosphorous laws that impact developed areas, forestry stewardship, and repair of failing on-site septic systems. The TMDL includes expanded resources for stakeholders to prioritize and implement cost-effective mitigation practices, provides reasonable assurances that the TMDL’s targets can be met, and includes a lake monitoring plan to collect and assess water quality improvements over time. Best management projects funded and implemented through State-funded programs will continue to be compiled and tracked to evaluate TMDL progress in the Cayuga Lake watershed.
Additionally, phosphorus load reductions will be annually estimated for comparison with the TMDL reduction targets by DEC’s Finger Lakes Watershed Program. DEC will also evaluate Cayuga Lake water quality data to assess lake water quality against water quality standards and TMDL targets.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “We are committed to doing all we can to preserve our natural resources and ensure water quality in the Finger Lakes and across New York. This new guidance builds on the Department’s initiatives and programs that are designed to further agricultural best management practices to protect our waterways. We look forward to doubling down on our efforts and working with our Soil and Water Conservation Districts to implement agricultural practices to meet these new goals to preserve Cayuga Lake for generations to come.”
New York State Senator Lea Webb said, “I am appreciative to the Department of Environmental Conservation for their dedication in supporting the EPA-approved pollution prevention plan for the Cayuga Lake watershed. This initiative is a critical step in restoring the water quality of Cayuga Lake's southern end, making it safer for recreation and protecting the drinking water for our communities. By addressing phosphorus pollutant sources with the Total Maximum Daily Load plan, we're ensuring a healthier future for Cayuga Lake and everyone in our community who depends on it."
New York State Senator Rachel May said, “Many people in Central New York are invested in their lakes for various reasons, whether they live on the lakeshore, drink the water, enjoy tourism or recreation, or own farmland in the watershed. That’s why the DEC’s announcement for pollution prevention to improve Cayuga Lake’s water quality is welcomed news. We must address the mounting pressures our lakes and other waters face in a rapidly changing global climate and take action to protect them for the benefit of all.”
Chairman Seneca County Board of Supervisors Michael Enslow said, “We applaud New York State's continued commitment to improving water quality in Cayuga Lake. The significant progress made, including the reduction of 39,000 pounds of phosphorus annually, highlights the effectiveness of collaborative efforts and strategic investments. Continued support and funding will further bolster these efforts and drive continued improvements in the Cayuga Lake watersheds,”
Tompkins County Legislature Chairman Dan Klein said, “Cayuga Lake is literally the center of Tompkins County. The health of the lake is linked to the health of Tompkins County, and we enthusiastically welcome all efforts to protect Cayuga Lake.”
City of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo said, “The City of Ithaca has long valued its role as a leader in environmental stewardship in the wastewater treatment industry, recognizing the ecological and cultural importance of Cayuga Lake for our community. Constructing a tertiary phosphorus plant in 2004, we have had the ability to meet anticipated TMDL needs since that time. We appreciate our partnership with New York State and look forward to continuing to work together to protect this vital natural resource.”
The plan announced today builds upon actions New York State is already taking on Cayuga Lake to reduce phosphorus. New York's nation-leading actions in water quality improvements include collaborating with agricultural partners and investing in infrastructure upgrades and new technology, a commitment particularly strong around Cayuga Lake. DEC, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and other stakeholders are making continued progress in the Cayuga watershed. It is estimated that phosphorus loading reductions of 39,000 pounds of phosphorus per year are achieved with current levels of implementation through various grant programs over the past decade. Continued work and recent additional investments in the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition and Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent announcement of $42 million in funding to the eastern Finger Lakes region as part of the Governor’s 2024 State of the State commitment will be used to further the implementation of the Cayuga Lake TMDL.
New York's Commitment to Water Quality
New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the 2024-2025 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $5.5 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. In addition, the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act is helping State agencies, local governments, and partners access funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs. Bond Act funding will support new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change.
