Lake Friendly Living Pledge

Recently the Town of Scipio adopted Resolution 2021-17 to endorse the Lake Friendly Living Pledge locally sponsored by the Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council. Scipio's Town Board is promoting pollution reduction strategies for land and water stewardship within the Owasco Lake Watershed.

The Town of Scipio encourages town residents to make eco-friendly choices that positively enhances their impact on lake water quality and the health and safety of water consumers. The following practices were adopted:

I pledge to refrain from using excessive lawn fertilizers and chemicals to help prevent Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).

I will only use limited phosphorus-free fertilizers (as governed by NYS law), applied properly.

I will maintain my septic system.

I will reduce hazardous wastes and dispose of them properly.

I will dispose of prescription drugs properly; I will not flush them.

I will maintain my vehicles, watercrafts, and other recreational vehicles to reduce fluid leaks as well as the spread of aquatic invasive species.

I will use water wisely.

I will not dispose of leaf litter or lawn clippings in waterways or ditches.

I will strive to work towards practicing recommended Best Management Practices for land use activities within the Owasco Lake Watershed.

The Town of Scipio will work toward achieving the actions requested in this pledge within the town limits, in solidarity with those making such efforts throughout the Owasco Lake Watershed.

Dog License

Did you know that New York State Law requires all dogs older than 4 months to be licensed? Licensing ensures that all dogs have been properly vaccinated against rabies for the protection of both you and your neighbors. The license also makes it much easier to locate the owner of a lost dog when he or she is found.

It's simple to obtain a license. The owner must provide to the Town Clerk the following veterinary documentation: proof of current rabies vaccination and proof if the dog has been spayed or neutered. The dog license must be renewed on a yearly basis. Please contact the Town Clerk if there are changes in ownership such as your dog passes.

Effective January 1, 2021, dog license fees in the Town of Scipio will increase to:

$10.00 for sprayed/neutered dogs and $20.00 for non spayed/non neutered dogs.

The Town of Scipio continues to retain the services of an animal control officer for the purpose of controlling dogs and enforcing the laws regarding dogs. The Town contracts with Finger Lakes Dog Protection Agency; 315.253.4367 who will remove dangerous dogs, provide shelter and care for lost or injured dogs and investigate nuisance and cruelty complaints.

Please remember there is a dog leash law in effect throughout Cayuga County.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

The Eastern Hemlock thrives in the ravines and steep slopes in the southern sections of Cayuga County. It is estimated that the Eastern Hemlock makes up ten percent of the tree coverage within the Owasco Lake Watershed. The invasive specie, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been identified in Scipio and surrounding townships. The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is best identified during the winter months when their white, woolly growth stands out on the Hemlock twig. The environmental concern is when the Hemlock stands die off their root structure will no longer hold the ravine slopes in place causing major erosion and sediment into Owasco Lake.

Recently, six members of the Owasco Watershed Lake Association completed training and are now, official Owasco Hemlock Hunters in the Cornell Hemlock Initiative. This winter they will be surveying the ravines in Scipio, and near Cascade to identify healthy stands of Hemlock and to document areas of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation. Property owners will be contacted for permission to survey and access the tree stands along the ravine sites identified.