All municipalities in the watershed are members of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO). To be a voting member, a government must pay its annual dues which are due by June 30 annually.
The Big Picture: Why Become a CWIO Member Municipality
New York State has tasked their municipal governments with protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the residents within their jurisdictions. The CWIO believes watershed protection and stewardship of Cayuga Lake, its tributaries and its wetlands are in the public interest and should be managed in trust for the common benefit of all within the watershed.
Watershed-wide organizations made up of local governments are able to facilitate partnerships across municipal boundaries to address threats to our water resources as a whole. Participating local governments gain the mutual advantage and efficiency of pooling resources and expertise to implement restoration and protection efforts throughout the watershed.
How CWIO Assists Local Governments
How CWIO Assists Local GovernmentsCWIO work includes a range of activities depending on current member needs, resources, and watershed-wide priorities. It includes:
- Advancing a regional perspective on watershed-wide protection goals and assisting members with identifying priorities.
- Supporting local governments to implement the Cayuga Lake Restoration and Protection Plan and other similar official watershed-wide plans.
- Exploring mutually beneficial ways of securing and sharing federal, state, and county agency grant funding to improve water quality within and between members.
- Providing a forum for local governments and agencies within the watershed to interact and exchange information.
- Supporting individual projects with shared expertise, in-kind support, information about funding, assistance with monitoring, maintenance and more.
- Raising awareness of watershed needs at the state level and advocating for resources.
- Pooling local government funds and resources to more efficiently achieve our common goals.
Municipalities and Governments within the Cayuga Lake Watershed.
The map (above) shows municipalities within the watershed. The following table contains all municipalities within the watershed. Municipalities that have fully paid their dues are marked with a checkmark below.
- Cayuga County
- Town of Aurelius
- Town of Fleming
- Town of Genoa
- Town of Ledyard
- Town of Locke
- Town of Scipio
- Town of Sempronius
- Town of Springport
- Town of Summerhill
- Town of Venice
- Village of Aurora (Ledyard)
- Village of Cayuga (Aurelius)
- Village of Union Springs (Springport)
- Cortland County
- Town of Cortlandville
- Town of Harford
- Town of Homer
- Town of Scott
- Town of Virgil
- Ontario County
- Town of Geneva
- Town of Phelps
- Seneca County
- Town of Covert
- Town of Fayette
- Town of Junius
- Town of Lodi
- Town of Ovid
- Town of Romulus
- Town of Seneca Falls
- Town of Tyre
- Town of Varick
- Town of Waterloo
- Village of Interlaken
- Village of Waterloo
- Schuyler County
- Town of Catharine
- Town of Hector
- Tioga County
- Spencer
- Tompkins County
- City of Ithaca
- Town of Caroline
- Town of Danby
- Town of Dryden
- Town of Enfield
- Town of Groton
- Town of Ithaca
- Town of Lansing
- Town of Newfield
- Town of Ulysses
- Village of Cayuga Heights
- Village of Dryden
- Village of Freeville
- Village of Lansing
- Village of Trumansburg
Member Entities
All governments within the watershed are members of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CWIO). Those that pay their annual dues can vote on CWIO business and actions via their appointed representatives.
As stated in the Bylaws,
“Membership is open to counties, municipalities (villages, towns and cities) and indigenous nations located within the watershed (referred to as “member entities”).
To qualify to vote in CWIO decisions, the member entity (county, municipality, or indigenous nation) must have signed the CWIO Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and have fully paid their annual dues. Only representatives or their alternates from voting member entities count as part of the quorum.”
Associate and ExOfficio Members
As per CWIO Bylaws, in order to encourage participation from those with special knowledge or expertise in water quality protection and preservation efforts, individuals may apply to the CWIO Membership/Nominating Committee to be an associate or ex officio member. Once accepted/appointed, associate and ex officio members serve two-year terms that may be renewed, may advise CWIO, participate in CWIO discussions and serve on the committee. Ex officio or associate members shall be non-voting, are not required to pay fees for membership, but on a CWIO committee they may vote and serve as committee chair. Learn more in our Organizational document.
Interested in Joining?
- Find out more – View a presentation on 2021 CWIO goals and actions
- Attend a meeting – Email us to learn more about attending virtually
- Adopt a Memorandum of Agreement (municipalities may request minor changes to this agreement)
- Contact Us
Go to the CWIO PROJECTS page to learn about CWIO projects and action.