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Water and Community

CSI’s new series of public forums, Water and Community, features lectures, panel discussions, and access to information from a range of sources. Audience members are strongly encouraged to ask questions and discuss issues raised by lecturers. The Water and Community series is organized around three broad themes:

  • Watersheds: The nature and characteristics of watersheds, their vulnerability to land use impacts, and sustainable management practices
  • Uses of Water: The laws and policies that guide — or fail to guide — how water is used by our society
  • Chaotic Water : The effects of rising global temperatures on the hydrologic cycle

Water and Community events provide a public venue for learning about the science of water, how this essential resource is being managed in our region, and how it impacts our community.

Please find the details, presentations, and supporting materials from each Water and Community event below.

Water and Community Forum #1 – Harmful Algal Blooms: What they are and how government agencies are addressing the threat

Saturday, September 30th 2017, 9:00 – 12:00 at The Space @ Greenstar

The Community Science Institute, co-sponsors Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and Floating Classroom, and other organizations addressed the concerns surrounding the 2017 outbreak of suspicious algal blooms in Cayuga Lake. Speakers highlighted key aspects of the ecology and toxicity of blue-green algae, reviewed measures taken to protect public health, and responded to questions from the audience. Participating organizations offered a wealth of HABs related information.

See the HABs forum information flyer for a schedule of events and list of invited organizations. Presentations delivered by lecturers are posted below

Check out CSI’s interview with WHCU’s Lee Rayburn about harmful algal blooms.

HABs Forum Presentations

Ecology of Cyanobacteria – Lisa Cleckner, Director, Finger Lakes InstituteHarmful_Algal_Bloom

The above presentation was given on 9/30/17 and covers the following topics:

  • Harmful Algal Blooms: What are they and what makes them unique?HABs history and examples of blooms
    • Potential bloom causes
    • Competitive advantages of cyanobacteria
  • Harmful algal blooms reporting and testing process
  • HABs in New York
  • HABs and climate change

image4 (2)

Testing for Toxins: Assessing whether a cyanobacterial bloom is harmful or not – Stephen Penningroth, Director, Community Science Institute

The above presentation was given on 9/30/17 and covers the following topics:

  • Interesting facts about cyanobacteria
    • History
    • Unique characteristics
    • Potential uses in medicine
  • Cyanobacteria toxin types, toxin characteristics, and health effects
  • Harmful algal blooms reporting and testing process
    • Toxin testing methods
  • A closer look at microcystins, one of the more common toxin types.

Harmful Algal Blooms & Public Health – Adriel Shea, Senior Public Health Sanitarian, Tompkins County Health Department

The above presentation was given on 9/30/17 and covers the following topics:

  • Heath Department’s regulatory role
  • EPA’s drinking water Health Advisories (HA’s) for common cyanotoxins
  • Public water suppliers and their role in HABs monitoring
  • HABs effects on private beach wells and lake-water intakes
  • HABs on beaches
  • NYSDOH protocol for when you believe you have spotted a bloom
    • Know it
    • Avoid it
    • Report it
  • List of resources

The DEC’s HABs Program – Anthony Prestigiacomo, Research Scientist, Finger Lakes Watershed Hub, Division of Water, Bureau of Water Assessment & Management

The above presentation was given on 9/30/17 and covers the following topics:

  • NYSDEC structure and function
  • DEC HABs program components
  • Other agencies and their responsibilities in terms of HABs management
  • DEC HABs Program’s relationship with stakeholders
  • HABs monitoring, surveillance, and sampling logistics
    • Volunteer HABs Surveillance Networks
  • DEC bloom status designation
  • Bloom reporting/outreach
  • Research and contributing factors to bloom formation

Cyanobacteria Blooms Reported Through the Summer of 2017

HABs Related Resources

  • CSI Resources:
    • Printable HABs  information flyer
    • FAQs
  • New York Department of Environmental Conservation Resources:
    • Harmful Algal Bloom: General Information
    • Harmful Algal Blooms Photo Gallery
    • Harmful Algal Blooms Notifications Page
    • Harmful Algal Blooms Frequently Asked Questions
    • Harmful Algal Blooms Additional Information
  • New York State Department of Health Resources:
    • Blue-green Algae and Health
  • Academic Resources
    • Guidelines for Design and Sampling for Cyanobacterial Toxin and Taste-and-Odor Studies in Lakes and Reservoirs

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95 Brown Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850

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info@communityscience.org

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Copyright 2007-2016 Community Science Institute | Developed by: Abner X. Figueroa
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer With Us!
    • Monitoring Partnerships
      • Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring on Cayuga Lake
      • Synoptic Sampling
      • Biological Monitoring
      • Owego Creek Tributaries Monitoring Project with Trout Unlimited
      • Past CSI Monitoring Programs
        • Red Flag Monitoring
    • Outreach and Education
      • Public Events and Presentations
      • Publications
      • The Water Bulletin Newsletter
      • CSI News and Monthly Updates
      • Journey of Water
      • Learning Materials
  • I want to test my water
    • Potable and Non-Potable Water Tests & Fees
    • Drinking Water Resources for the General Public
  • CSI Water Quality Data
    • Database Home
    • Streams and Lakes Data
      • Cayuga Lake Region
      • Seneca Lake Region
      • Upper Susquehanna River Region
      • Select and Download Streams and Lakes Data
    • HABs Database
      • Select and Download Cayuga Lake HABs Data
    • Pre-Fracking Groundwater Baselines
      • Select and Download Groundwater Baselines
    • Biological Monitoring Results
    • Glossary
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Meet Our Board of Directors
    • Annual Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
    • CSI’s Business Membership Program
    • 2025-2026 Business Membership Partners
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