The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, in response to a significant outbreak of harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms in Canandaigua Lake last summer, has warned that the blooms in the lake have risen significantly in recent years — threatening the drinking water we need, the local tourism economy, and area residents’ enjoyment of the lake.

But the CLWA, while continuing its worthwhile public education endeavors, should also advocate for local and state governments to enact and strictly enforce new policies and laws to better protect our lake.

The Watershed Council, which was created to help local governments to protect Canandaigua Lake, also needs to be more assertive in carrying out its mission — especially in regards to fulfilling the actual and long overdue implementation of its 2014 Watershed Plan, which described the numerous threats to our drinking water caused by widespread use of lawn pesticides and fertilizers; congestion from boating; discharge of pollutants from marinas and boats; “roads and streams cutting through agricultural lands acting as runoff pollution highways if not properly buffered and protected;” boats moving invasive species into and out of the lake, and additional pollution issues. All of these issues are still........

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