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Figure 2. Farmers used (a) IPM practices and had access to
(b) new spraying technology.
not limited to, potential human exposures and health
risks, location, type and number of samples.
Story Highlights
The banning of DDT and implementation of pesticide
management practices and erosion control activi-
ties have helped to reduce the amount of pollution
reaching Keuka Lake. From 2003 to 2014, agricultural
and other nonpoint source BMPs were implemented
on more than 60 farms and 20 vineyards in the Keuka
Lake watershed. Specific projects targeted the two
primary transport mechanisms of DDT and other pesti-
cides to Keuka Lake: (1) reduction of sediment erosion
and transport and (2) reduction of pesticide use and
off-site drift.
First, implementing erosion control practices in
vineyards has been critical for reducing the transport
of DDT-laden sediment to the lake. Stakeholders have
added thousands of feet of diversion ditches, installed
hay mulch to vineyard row middles, and seeded cover
crops to vineyard row middles throughout the water-
shed. Adding hay mulch to vineyard row middles is
effective at reducing runoff and increasing stormwater
infiltration,, which keeps sediments and attached
pollutants on-site. More than 220 acres of cover crops
and more than 600 acres of critical planting (establish-
ing permanent vegetation in small areas of excessive
erosion) were implemented to minimize sediment
loss. Other BMPs included adding animal fencing and
stream crossing, planting grassed waterways, installing
sediment control basins, planting herbaceous riparian
buffers and installing subsurface drainage.
Second, to reduce pesticide use and drift, integrated
pest management (IPM) practices were employed
on approximately 300 acres of agricultural land from
2007 to 2014 to reduce the usage and off-site drift of
pesticides. In addition, funds were used to purchase
new sprayers for use on more than 40 farms in the
Keuka Lake watershed, allowing for better deposition
of sprays on target plants, which improves efficacy of
materials (Figure 2).
Results
In 2013 NYSDOH reassessed the fish consumption
advisory for Keuka Lake by evaluating iake trout fish
tissue data collected In 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2011;
results for other species (brown trout, largemouth
bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch); and other
factors. The results indicated that total DDT concentra-
tions In Keuka Lake lake trout were much iower than
those observed in the 1983 collections.
Based on these results NYSDOH relaxed the restrictive
fish consumption advisory for Keuka Lake. Now, all
population groups may eat up to four meals per month
of all Keuka Lake fish species, which is consistent with
the advice for all other New York State freshwaters
that have no specific restrictive advisory. Based on the
relaxed advisory fish consumption use in the lake is
considered unimpaired. As a result, NYSDEC removed
the lake from CWA section 303(d) list in 2014.
Partners and Funding
IPM and pesticide technology programs were led by
the Finger Lakes Grape Program and Cornell University
(Geneva Experiment Station). Other partners included
the Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) and the Steuben County SWCD who imple-
mented the BMPs. Matching project funds included
salaries and in-kind services. In addition, other farms
have worked on pesticide management projects
without any financial assistance because reducing
pesticide applications to the minimum amount pos-
sible while still growing quality fruit is economically
advantageous. Since 2003, New York's Environmental
Protection Fund has awarded approximately $800,000
to implement nonpoint source pollution control proj-
ects in Keuka Lake watershed.
* ^ '
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Washington, DC
EPA 841-F-18-001G
Februrary 2018
For additional information contact:
Karen Stainbrook
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
518-402-8086 • karen.stainbrook@dec.ny.gov

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