Earth Day Lasts All Year for Fall Creek Volunteers

George Patte
Chair, Fall Creek Watershed Committee

In 2002, over 80 volunteers, including many Trout Unlimited members, removed some 3300 pounds of debris from Fall Creek.

The Fall Creek Watershed Committee (FCWC) is a group of private citizens concerned about the ecology and health of Fall Creek, which drains a watershed extending from Lake Como in Summerhill to Cayuga Lake in Ithaca. The watershed is impacted by human activity ranging from long-standing agriculture to more recent residential development and transportation corridors. Believe it or not, Ithaca Gun was not the only industry located in the Fall Creek watershed! When we formed, each member brought specific concerns to the table, but we soon found that we really did not know how to assess the health of the system, overall. Baseline information was needed to truly understand the state of the Creek, and changes that might be occurring. Now, we are monitoring it by taking water chemistry samples and by making inquiries about some of its residents, commonly called “bugs”, or aquatic insects.

Our efforts have been going on for more than two years. I was invited, as the recently named chairperson of FCWC, to provide some background on the experiences of our group, and relate how the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network has assisted us. Sharon Anderson has been instrumental in helping us to engage people, seek funding, and organize events such as the Fall Creek Clean-up each May. The Network has keyed us into ongoing efforts such as Water Week and Lakefest, and agencies such as the Cortland and Tompkins County Conservation Districts. The Network’s web resources have also been of great assistance as a means of quick communication among our members.

	The 126 square mile Fall Creek Watershed is highly vulnerable to non-point source pollution. (Cayuga Lake Restoration & Protection Plan, 2000)

As a result of this assistance, we have forged alliances with people who have the expertise we need. We can offer organized and competent volunteer assistance in return. One example is our alliance with The Community Science Institute (CSI), founded by Steve Penningroth. CSI has tested our water samples and helped us to interpret the results. It is important to us to see that our water samples take on meaning, and that happens when we compare our dissolved oxygen or phosphorous levels with acceptable standards.

This is exciting work for a group of volunteers. We look forward to becoming better educated on the issues as they become apparent. We meet the first Thursday of each month at the County office building at 125 E. Court Street, Ithaca at 7 p.m. We would love to see you there!

This year’s Fall Creek Clean-Up is set for May 3, from 9:00-11:00 am. To participate, or to find out more about the Fall Creek Watershed Committee, contact George Patte at 607-272-8784, or email him at george.patte@verizon.net.