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Alum Treatment Update

November 2005

We are making steady progress toward our goal of an April/May 2006 treatment application.  As we remember, the alum will be applied to water deeper than 18 feet to mix with and bind up the phosphorus in our rich bottom sediments.  This will prevent the release of this phosphorus into the water column when the deep water portions of our lake go anoxic in the summer fertilizing the explosive growth of algae and blue-green algae. 

Our recent project accomplishments include: 

·        Holding a public SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) scoping meeting this spring to present proposal and obtain public input

·        The writing and distribution of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for SEQR that provides extensive analysis of the treatment, its positive impact for our lake and the measures that will be taken to mitigate any adverse impacts

·        The successful completion of a SEQR public hearing this August 31 to allow for input from all interested individuals and agencies after publication of the DEIS and a lot of treatment information and detail. 

·        The drafting of responses to all comments/questions received as a part of the official comment period for the SEQR process following the public hearing. 

We are presently in joint review with the DEC to complete the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Findings statements that will be published shortly by the lead agency for the project - Ontario County Planning.  When these final steps of the SEQR process are successfully completed, we will apply to the DEC for the SPDES permit necessary to perform the treatment next spring. When the permit is issued, we will begin, with the towns, the process of contracting and arranging the actual treatment and public notification.   

There remains a lot of work to do to make this positive step a reality for our lake restoration and water quality improvement.  However, we need to thank all the volunteers, Finger Lakes Community College, Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force, Ontario County Planning, the towns of Richmond and Canadice, and all of you for your support for lake restoration and improved water quality.  

Don Bennett
Chairman: HVA Water Quality Committee and HLWTF Alum Technical Committee