9-9-2024 Cayuga Lake Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Notice from NYSDEC

Subject: Cayuga Lake TMDL
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2024 14:29:49 +0000
From: dec.sm.FLWP <FLWP@dec.ny.gov>

Good afternoon Cayuga Lake and Watershed Stakeholder,

This email is to inform you that on July 24, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 approved the final Cayuga Lake TMDL pursuant to Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR 130.7.

On April 7, 2021, the draft Cayuga Lake TMDL was public noticed for 90 days. Over 500 comments were submitted by the public.

Revisions to the Cayuga Lake TMDL included;

• Minor changes to accommodate public comments;
• Minor changes to clarify language and terms, throughout.
• Expanded explanations of the difference between discharges and runoff;
• Expanded explanation TP (pollutant) and segment-specific in-lake Chl-a targets (TMDL targets);
• Revisions to the Reasonable Assurance and Implementation Sections were made pertaining to progress made in the Cayuga Lake watershed through implementation of WQIP and other state-grant projects, the Eastern Finger Lakes Cover Crops Program, and gains in AEM base funding and planning.

The Cayuga Lake TMDL utilizes a watershed approach to address the total phosphorus loading and impairment in the Southern End segment of this waterbody and is established at a level sufficient to attain the NYSDEC’s narrative water quality criterion for nutrients. NYSDEC used a numeric translation of the narrative water quality criterion to protect the recreational and drinking water uses. The chlorophyll-a TMDL target, when achieved through reductions in phosphorus, will result in attainment of the uses and NYSDEC’s narrative water quality criterion for nutrients.

There has been continued progress in the Cayuga watershed by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other stakeholders. It is estimated that phosphorus loading reductions of ~ 39,000 pounds of phosphorus per year are achieved with current levels of implementation through various NYS grant programs (2013-present). Continued implementation and recent additional investments announcing the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition and $42 million in funding to eastern Finger Lakes region from the Governor’s 2024 State of the State commitment will used in implementing the Cayuga Lake TMDL.

Thank you for your continued interest and work for Cayuga Lake,

Finger Lakes Watershed Hub
Division of Water, Bureau of Water Resource Management

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
5786 Widewaters Parkway, Syracuse, NY 13214-1867
P: (315) 426-7400 | F: (315) 426-7459 | FLWP@dec.ny.gov
www.dec.ny.gov