County To Host Lake Rallies

MAYVILLE -Summer is fast approaching and everyone wants to be on the water.  Residents and visitors can learn more about Chautauqua County’s aquatic resources by attending the Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake Rallies.
“We are so fortunate to have Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake here in Chautauqua County,” said Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello. “Our lakes are important assets to our economy. The natural beauty and recreational opportunities they offer continue to attract residents and visitors to our local communities to experience our rich history and culture. They also allow new and established restaurants, hotels, marinas, shops, and recreational services to grow and expand as they cater to our visitors’ needs.”
This year’s Lake Erie Rally will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 9 a.m. at the Northern Chautauqua County Conservation Club, 1 N. Mullet St. in Dunkirk, N.Y. This event is hosted by the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development and Northern Chautauqua County Conservation Club. The program will feature updates on current planning initiatives and projects on Lake Erie. It will also include a presentation by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation about the recreational facilities and programming it offers in Northern Chautauqua County. Coffee, juice and donuts will be provided and individuals will have the chance to win door prizes, including a rain barrel kit and a composter.
Individuals can also save the date for the Chautauqua Lake Rally, which will be held on Saturday, August 18 at the Village Casino, 1 Lakeside Dr. in Bemus Point, N.Y. More details will be released as this event gets closer.
“The Lake Erie and Chautauqua Lake Rallies are two of our most successful public outreach events,” said Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator Dave McCoy. “2017 was the first year for the Lake Erie Rally and it drew about 60 people, who learned about waterfront projects and water quality improvement projects. The Chautauqua Lake Rally is our longest running event and was attended by over 200 people in 2017. Chautauqua Lake residents are very passionate about the environmental health of Chautauqua Lake, so the opportunity for interaction and sharing of ideas among residents, and lake and conservation-related organizations is cathartic in many ways.”
For more information about the 2018 Lake Rally events, please contact Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator Dave McCoy at (716) 661-8915 or Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance Executive Director Erin Brickley at (716) 661-8918.