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East Hampton commission hears declining lake clarity and discusses aeration funding after town budget fails
Summary
At its June 11 meeting the Conservation-Lake Commission reviewed declining Secchi disk readings, pending Everblue test results and an Army Corps dye study reportedly yielding no findings; members noted the town budget did not pass and staff hope a revised budget will allocate about $100,000 for aeration.
The Town of East Hampton Conservation-Lake Commission on June 11 reviewed recent sampling and visibility data showing declining lake clarity, and discussed funding for aeration as the town’s budget failed and is sent back for reconsideration.
Mr. Solomon submitted sampling results to commission members and the group said it is still awaiting the laboratory results from Everblue. Commission members also reported that Secchi disk readings — a standard measure of water clarity — are trending downward; another test may be conducted next week.
Meeting minutes say the Army Corps of Engineers performed a dye-tracking study to follow water flows within the lake and "found nothing" during their testing; commissioners plan a follow-up call between Mr. Mullen and Chairman Jason Hartling and the Army Corps to clarify results. The minutes do not record additional technical details from the Corps’ study or its data release timeline.
Parks & Rec liaison Shawn Mullen told the commission that, if the revised town budget allows, "there should be another $100,000 for aeration in the new budget," and noted that the next payment for aeration services and Everblue is $13,578. The commission’s proposed budget line for its operations was listed in minutes as $125,100; the minutes also record that only a portion of the commission budget and tech services would remain through July until the town passes a final budget.
Why it matters: declining Secchi readings and pending laboratory results may signal worsening water quality that could affect recreation, aquatic habitat and management choices. Funding for aeration is a commonly used mitigation tool; the commission emphasized that planned expenditures and outside studies (including the Army Corps dye study) will inform next steps. The minutes do not record any formal decision or appropriation by the commission at this meeting.
Next step: commissioners said they expect further lab results from Everblue and will hold a call with the Army Corps to clarify the dye-study findings; budget outcomes will depend on action when the town reconsiders the failed budget.
