Each Thursday, we put one of our local newsmakers On The Spot. This week: Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector
Jessica Miles.
This week's question: What tangible results have you been able to attain since starting your job as Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector?
The Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector program is based on the cooperation between several different county and state agencies.
The goal of my position is to specifically identify areas of concern and work with the appropriate agencies to address and mitigate these issues. In the six months that I have been on the job, there have been and are scheduled to be several projects within the watershed.
One accomplishment is the design of the Owasco Lake Watershed logo and road signs.
These signs will be placed along the boundary of the 208-square mile watershed to increase local awareness and encourage watershed stewardship.
After only three days on the job, Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District's newly appointed executive director, Ronald Podolak, initiated a proposal to incorporate the farming community in the protection of Owasco Lake.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Owasco Lake Watershed will help determine key areas of pollution concerns and tackle ways to solve problems.
A long-term goal for the group is to encourage more farmer participation in programs offered through the SWCD.
Through the Emerson Foundation, grant money was graciously given to hire two college interns to work with me over the summer and increase the presence and information available to watershed residents.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is offering a program called Adopt-A-Stream to teach local residents how to identify aquatic plants and monitor their shoreline for invasive species.
Another key component of my job is educating both residents and elected officials.
My hope is to raise awareness of water quality issues and simple ways that people can improve the condition of Owasco Lake and its watershed.
I encourage people to contact me with questions or concerns.
The more people I am able to reach with information, the more success the inspection program will have.
Through this success, we can have a healthier Owasco Lake now and for future generations.
If you have an On The Spot question, call news editor Mike Dowd at 253-5311 ext. 234 or
e-mail michael.dowd@lee.net
This week's question: What tangible results have you been able to attain since starting your job as Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector?
The Owasco Lake Watershed Inspector program is based on the cooperation between several different county and state agencies.
The goal of my position is to specifically identify areas of concern and work with the appropriate agencies to address and mitigate these issues. In the six months that I have been on the job, there have been and are scheduled to be several projects within the watershed.
One accomplishment is the design of the Owasco Lake Watershed logo and road signs.
These signs will be placed along the boundary of the 208-square mile watershed to increase local awareness and encourage watershed stewardship.
After only three days on the job, Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District's newly appointed executive director, Ronald Podolak, initiated a proposal to incorporate the farming community in the protection of Owasco Lake.
The Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Owasco Lake Watershed will help determine key areas of pollution concerns and tackle ways to solve problems.
A long-term goal for the group is to encourage more farmer participation in programs offered through the SWCD.
Through the Emerson Foundation, grant money was graciously given to hire two college interns to work with me over the summer and increase the presence and information available to watershed residents.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is offering a program called Adopt-A-Stream to teach local residents how to identify aquatic plants and monitor their shoreline for invasive species.
Another key component of my job is educating both residents and elected officials.
My hope is to raise awareness of water quality issues and simple ways that people can improve the condition of Owasco Lake and its watershed.
I encourage people to contact me with questions or concerns.
The more people I am able to reach with information, the more success the inspection program will have.
Through this success, we can have a healthier Owasco Lake now and for future generations.
If you have an On The Spot question, call news editor Mike Dowd at 253-5311 ext. 234 or
e-mail michael.dowd@lee.net
