A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
July 2006
Where do I begin? This past year has been loaded with activity and accomplishments. Since our last annual meeting we have:
• Changed the name of our organization
• Filed for and became an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
• Purchased a weed harvester and shore conveyor
• Built a driveway to access the shore conveyor
• Received financial support from many new sources for weed harvesting
• Installed a new concrete boat ramp with financial support from Findley Lake Marine
• Reworked the gate system for the dam
• At lakeside painted the railings, repaired the benches and re-stained the gazebo
• Dedicated the Litz Family Gazebo
• Published four newsletters
• Conducted a successful membership drive
• Removed and replaced several buoys
• Became aware of and started a plan to address several hundred stumps below the water’s surface
• And more
Needless to say, we have been very busy.
The key to accomplishing all of the tasks above is the cooperation that we have received from many sources. We have received support from a number of individuals (members and non-members), all of the volunteer board members, the Town of Mina, Chautauqua County, New York State, The Findley Lake Community Foundation (formerly Quality Findley Fund), Mercyhurst College, many local businesses, and the Clymer Central School District. The support we received includes financial support as well as good old-fashioned elbow grease. There were a number of people who stepped forward to champion these various projects — without them very few of the tasks would have been completed.
I find the correlation interesting between the amount of work accomplished and the large number of diverse groups and individuals who participated in helping our organization. The line in the movie “if you build it, they will come” can be restated for us this year as “when we needed it, they helped.”
Now the question is, what’s next?
The issue of stumps is a concern that is being evaluated with a preliminary plan in place.
One significant item of concern for the board of directors of the Findley Lake Watershed Foundation is the issue of contaminated ground water finding its way into the lake and water wells. At this year’s annual meeting, we are hosting one of two public presentations on the draft results of a sewerage study by the Chautauqua County Water Quality Task Force. It is well documented that our lake and some water wells contain elevated levels of nitrates, phosphates and chlorides. These chemicals contribute to the excessive plant and algae growth in the lake and in some instances pose health risks in our drinking water. Although these chemicals come from many different sources in our watershed, it has been determined that a substantial amount comes from Septic systems. If this problem is not addressed, it will only get worse with the expanded use of current homes and the addition of new homes.
So, as good stewards of the Findley Lake watershed, I look forward to working with all of you as we address the critical need to evaluate and implement a plan to preserve the lake and the watershed, not only for today but for generations to come.
Respectfully,
Ed. Mulkearn, President FLWF
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