About Keuka Lake Association

Since our founding in 1956, the Keuka Lake Association (KLA) has played a major role in helping to protect and preserve Keuka Lake. In many instances the Association provided program leadership to address specific problems, while in others we served as a catalyst to promote positive action based on education and sound research. However, in every situation, success was achieved through a close collaboration with all parties interested in finding a solution to the problem at hand.

Initiatives such as the establishment of the Keuka Watershed Protection District, adoption of uniform wastewater management regulations, and formation of KWIC (the Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative) have significantly reduced the pollution threat from inadequate septic systems. Flood control capability has been greatly increased through upgrade and expansion of the flood control gates in Penn Yan, development of lake level guide curves, and lake level management by the KLOC (Keuka Lake Outlet Compact). Lake towns and villages have adopted zoning ordinances governing upland development. Boating is a safer activity thanks to increased education, and the presence of our local sheriffs' lake patrols during the boating season. A Uniform Docks & Mooring Law has been created through the cooperation of the various towns and villages around the lake.

The foregoing advances have been accomplished by working in close partnership with our lake towns and villages, as well as numerous county, state and federal agencies. Today we have a cleaner, safer, less flood-prone lake thanks to the hard work of thousands of people who have contributed to the successful implementation of these and other improvement projects over the past 50+ years.

Some significant events & milestones from the last 50+ years
1956	KLSPO, Inc. chartered (Keuka Lake Shore Property Owners was the original name of KLA)
1959	Five program areas were targeted for improvement:     Flood control     Pollution     Zoning     Motor boat control     Conservation
1960	Don Smith hired as Executive Director
1962	NYS Dept of Health threatens action against lake polluters Indian Pines/Keuka Park/Keuka College sewer district urged
1963	Inter-municipal Perimeter Committee formed to develop watershed regulations for lake
1964	6 Towns & 2 villages around Keuka agree to adopt and enforce uniform watershed regulations Inspector hired to monitor septic systems throughout entire watershed
1966	3 old wooden gates in Andrews Race replaced with 2 steel slide gates
1972	Flooding from Hurricane Agnes caused lake to rise 5.1 feet. within 72 hours
1973	KLA urges zoning laws be enacted by towns and villages surrounding the lake
1975	Milo & Jerusalem enacted zoning (all lake towns have now done this)
1982	Gypsy moths invaded lakes region
1987	KLA Water testing program initiated
1990	KLSPO name changed to Keuka Lake Association KLOC (Keuka Lake Outlet Compact) formed to manage lake level
1991	Watershed Protection District established with responsibility for sewage disposal, docks & moorings, soil erosion Peter Landre hired as KLA’s Watershed Project Director
1992	Keuka Lake Foundation (KLF) formed to serve as recipient of donations solicited for the Watershed Project Peter Landre hired as KLA’s Watershed Project Director Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative (KWIC) formed Zebra Mussels invade the lake 3 large aluminum slide gates added to the Main Street dam for increased flood control
1993	3 new gates installed, increasing discharge capacity by 150% Inter-municipal Agreement adopted authorizing Uniform Wastewater Law for Keuka Watershed to be        managed by KWIC – Keuka Watershed Improvement Cooperative
1994	The new flood control gates were dedicated to John T. Andrews, Sr., who chaired the Lake Level Committee for nearly 30 years Approved basic objective of the KLA: Preserve, Protect & Enhance Keuka Lake & its Watershed
1995	Keuka Lake Book was published and distributed
1996	Keuka Lake Looking Ahead, a waterfront management plan, was published and distributed
1997	NYS Sen. Kuhl obtained funding for sewer study KLA website established
2000	KLA Office opened in Hammondsport Updated Keuka Lake Directory published
2001	Water Quality Committee established Mert Plaisted Award inaugurated to recognize individuals who have made “ outstanding contributions to the preservation of  Keuka Lake and its watershed” Mert Plaisted is honored as the first award winner
2002	Lake Level Committee re-established Joe Littleton is honored with The Mert Plaisted Award
2003	KLA attains 501c3 status KLF dissolved and assets merged with KLA Special Event Water Release Policy implemented by KLOC Walt Scott and Bob Turissini are honored with the Mert Plaisted Award
2004	At the request of the KWIC, KLA agreed to facilitate project to develop a Uniform Docks & Moorings law for Keuka Lake Lake level guide curves were modified to accommodate fall boating season Updated Keuka Lake Directory published Tri-fold brochure printed and distributed around the area
2005	Lake towns and villages acquired Home Rule authority to regulate Docks and Moorings, contingent upon enactment of a uniform regulation KLAeidoscope of Keuka calendar initiated as an annual project, involving a photo contest for members Assisted KLOC with the installation of an automated lake level monitoring system allowing internet access to monitor lake levels on a real-time basis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
2006	KLA Celebrates 50th Anniversary Peter Landre is honored with the Mert Plaisted Award KLA membership exceeds 1600 for first time in many years     Docks & Moorings project approved by all 8 towns and villages and signed by Commissioner of Parks &            recreation in December KLA invests $5000 seed money as a co-sponsor of the Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA) training program
2007	Intensified working relationship with KWIC to find ways to improve septic inspections; Granted $6000 to KWIC for a summer intern to aid in problem resolution Provided a $5000 grant to the Friends of the Outlet trail fund to help stabilize stream banks from erosion Reviewed KLA long term goals and strategy, issuing a framework document and committee responsibility descriptions Approved a new mission statement: To Preserve and Protect Keuka Lake and its Natural Beauty for Future Generations Agreed to sponsor the Esther N. Wahlig Watershed Endowment Scholarship for $1000 to be awarded to an area high school senior who plans an environmental or limnology associated major in college Major success in membership level improvement – membership exceeds 1700 Updated Keuka Lake Directory published Al Wahlig is honored with the Mert Plaisted Award
2008	Awarded contract for a KLA web site upgrade to be launched in early 2009 Implemented two (Spring & Fall) LULA training programs Esther N. Wahlig Watershed Endowment Scholarship awarded to Hannah Catherman, Hammondsport Central School KLA is the first lake association to provide leadership for changing NYS Health Dept Fact Sheet #5 advisory regarding the residential use of lake water Worked with the DEC to assure censorship for anyone who dumps unwanted debris in the lake KLA Office relocated to Main Street in Penn Yan
2009	KLA launches a new web site