Differences in scientific reporting continue to spur debate regarding the Chautauqua County Memorandum of Agreement on Chautauqua Lake.

Discrepancies between a study conducting by Princeton Hydro, the county’s independent third part consultant, and a separate report paid for by the Chautauqua Lake Association are being considered as local municipalities determine how best to move forward.

A main point of disagreement between the two studies is the classification of Eurasian milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed. Racine Johnson, who conducted a study on behalf of the CLA, contends that the species are important to the health of the lake.

That contradicts the view of Princeton Hydro, which considers them invasive species. The studies also offer different conclusions over the effectiveness of herbicide treatment and its impact on Chautauqua Lake.

“We are kind of at a point here, at least in my thoughts, it is a he-said, she-said,” said Ellicott Town Supervisor Patrick McLaughlin. “I know that for the first time in a quite a while my residents on both sides of the lake were able to utilize the lake last year. They got their boats out and were able to fish. Moving forward the town is going to do this, we believe herbicides are necessary and also cutting and harvesting are necessary.”

The town of Ellicott intends to continue using herbicides this spring after assessing the effectiveness of last year’s treatment.

McLaughlin noted that more information will be forthcoming with the results of a post-treatment report from Solitude Lake Management, which was authorized to distribute herbicides by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The desire to improve the health of the lake through a number of different means is one point of consensus among some local government officials.

The town of North Harmony, which did use herbicide treatment last year, does not have set plans to continue the treatment this coming season.

“We do have monies put aside for emergency herbicide treatment when necessary, so if we have an outbreak of an invasive species and we have to hit it,” said Town Supervisor Robert Yates. “If we need herbicide treatment and we need mechanical treatment, I’m prepared for both this year.”

Yates noted that North Harmony intends to work with both the Chautauqua Lake Association and the town of Chautauqua this year to continue cutting and harvesting weeds, using available cutting and harvesting systems including Mobitracs.

Mobitracs are small barges that can play a combined role as harvesters, collectors, excavator and dredgers.

Moving forward, the town is in the planning stages of a new sewer project that aims to improve the overall health of the lake.

“What the town of North Harmony is doing for the permanent improvement of the lake is a sewer project, hopefully in the spring of 2021. That is going to be a huge improvement for the health of the lake,” Yates said. “Everyone is making forward progress in their own way.”

With regards to any conflicts between the two reports, Yates expressed a desire for objectivity from all parties involved.

“No one is trying to point fingers at anyone at this point, I hope we are done with that. It is about taking care of the lake for our children and our grandchildren.”

Regardless of the ongoing scientific debate, some interested parties remain committed to improving the health of the lake through a variety of options.