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Lake groups urge Chautauqua County to support litigation and create a centralized lake authority to manage Chautauqua Lake
Summary
At the legislature's Aug. 27 meeting, speakers representing the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association and other lake groups urged the county to back litigation opposing new wetlands regulations and to establish a centralized lake authority to manage long-standing aquatic vegetation problems.
Citing worsening submerged vegetation and recreational impacts, members of Chautauqua Lake advocacy groups urged the Chautauqua County Legislature on Aug. 27 to support ongoing litigation over New York State wetlands regulations and to consider forming a centralized lake authority.
Cathy O'Brien, a director of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association and seasonal resident of Maple Springs, described heavy weed growth at multiple bays over the July 4 weekend that she said made parts of the lake "recreationally unusable." She said volunteer lake groups and local nonprofits are carrying the burden of responding and that county support is needed.
O'Brien asked the county to stand with the CLPOA, the Chautauqua Lake Partnership and other groups in challenging state wetlands regulations she described as protecting vegetation and worsening weed problems. She also urged the county to take the North Carolina State University submerged aquatic vegetation plan completed in 2024 "off the shelf" and use it as the basis for a formal management authority.
O'Brien proposed a centralized lake authority structured as a New York State entity with lakeside town supervisors, village mayors and county legislators to provide accountability, open operations and direct management authority. She said the Alliance has not adopted the NC State plan despite funding it and suggested county leadership is needed.
Legislators acknowledged the public concern and the complexity of lake management. The county did not take a formal vote or make a commitment during the meeting to fund litigation or create a new authority. Speakers asked the county to consider both legal backing for suits and legislative steps to create a management structure with elected accountability.
The floor comments were part of the legislature's second privilege of the floor; written materials and requests for action were directed to the clerk's office for follow-up.
