I am writing to correct several erroneous statements published regarding the Canadian geese on White Lake.

The Lake Association of White Lake NY was formed in 2022 in order to address the declining quality of the waters of White Lake. Those of us who have lived here for years are well aware that the clarity of the water has been markedly reduced, algae is exploding and weeds, including invasive Eurasian milfoil, have taken over large parts of the lake. Nutrients from goose excrement contribute to this decline. 

The Lake Association joined NYSFOLA, the New York State Federation of Lakes Association, in order to participate in a program of sampling the water and having it tested for a variety of chemicals which affect the ecology of the lake. There was no partnering with the USDA to monitor the water as stated in the article, although the group has joined the NYSFOLA to determine what chemicals are contributing to the ecosystem of the lake.

At a public meeting last July, a USDA wildlife specialist addressed those in attendance about the Canada geese issue. The target number of geese in New York State is 85,000, and well over 360,000 is the current estimate. 

It was explained that using noisemakers or decoys was ineffective at getting them off the lake and only moves them from one property to another. 

Trapping and removal was the only useful solution and they could do this for White Lake if we could garner signatures from two thirds of the properties on the lake. Since the town routinely claims that they do not control the lake, and no town-owned property was used, USDA did not require permission from the town.

The roundup was humanely performed by wildlife specialists from the USDA in the morning and completed before noon (not at dusk). 

Geese were taken to a poultry processing facility, with the food being donated to a food bank.

The tens of thousands of pounds of goose excrement that washes into the lake every year, supporting weed and algae growth, plus the potential birth of several hundred more geese, have been avoided.

The Lake Association used funds donated by homeowners and spent many hours collecting signatures and coordinating with USDA to put the lake on a path of improved ecological health, benefiting everyone who uses the lake.

Mary-Ellen Seitelman is a resident of White Lake and a founding member of the Lake Association of White Lake, NY.