The aim of my study is to find the characteristics of a New York county and diagnose its environmental health. My county is Chautauqua County, NY. To conduct this study, I used search terms, found newspaper articles, and read the websites of government offices, such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chautauqua County Soil and Water District.. Through my research I learned that 1.Chautauqua County has a lot of manufacturing industries in it. 2.Chautauqua County uses a lot of hydro-electric and nuclear power. 3.Chautauqua County’s main lake, Lake Chautauqua, is very polluted, and has invasive species taking over. Abstract

Chautauqua as a town was erected April 15, On March 11, 1808, it was made a county. County seat: Mayville Watersheds: Upper Allegheny River Watershed Conewango River Watershed Brokenstraw Creek Watershed French Creek Watershed Native American Tribe: Seneca Nation/Erie The name Seneca is pronounced “SHE-neh-kah”. It comes from the name of one of their villages. In the Seneca language, they call themselves Onandowaga.

Background In Chautauqua County, there are many water sources – no place is more than 25 miles from open water Most important industry: Manufacturing – 9,833 workers employed in 2013 Water resource: Chautauqua Lake- home to bass and muskellunge Main non-renewable energy source: Nuclear Main renewable energy source: Hydro-electric 1 landfill, 3 regulated transfer stations, a lot of registered transfer stations, and no composting facilities or waste-to-energy stations

MAPS

In Chautauqua County there are many water sources. For example, there is no place more than 25 miles from open water. Water sources include: Alder Bottom Canadaway Creek Chautauqua lake Hartson Swamp Forests: Chautauqua Gorge State Forest Mount Pleasant State Forest Whalen Memorial State Forest Panama State Forest The wetland and forest areas are home to many species: Yellow perch, White perch, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Bullheads, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge (fish of lake Chautauqua) Deer, rabbit, grouse, turkey (Chautauqua Gorge State Forest).

Most important industry in Chautauqua County: Manufacturing industry. 2013: about 9,833 workers employed Second most important industry in Chautauqua County: Health care and social assistance Facing a shortage of health professionals Third most important industry: Retail Is growing Education services are important in Chautauqua County: There are higher education facilities For example: SUNY College at Fredonia Jamestown Community College

- Find data about populations, water quality, energy use and types of waste in my county - Use the websites: Department of Environmental Conservation, Environmental Protection Agency, Chautauqua county’s official website and other websites

 Water pollution from litter and other things could endanger animals living in these habitats. Also forest habitats are home to a variety of animals. If cities stretch forests, people could cut down more and more forests.  Invasive species develop in rivers and lakes.

Chautauqua Lake-located entirely in Chautauqua Home to bass and muskellunge Polluted with phosphates from pesticides and fertilizers Invasive species taking over Aquatic vegetation growing Algae blooms Chadakoin River Powered mills Abandoned as a energy source Waters became polluted Banks littered with trash

Main non-renewable energy: Nuclear energy Produced in nuclear plants Uranium atoms split into smaller atoms (fission) Heat given off used to produce electricity Can be dangerous, cause cancer Main renewable energy: Hydro-electric Derived from the energy of falling water

The RPI EcoEd Upper Elementary Research Program: - To extend the impact of university research program to K-12 students - To introduce students to environmental sustainability and education - To have students think about aspects of counties of NY State (natural resources, habitats, people who live there and how they take care of their water, air and land) - To have students put together a research report, a poster and an oral presentation The students work with an RPI student as mentor. My mentor is Michael Lachney.

No composting facilities Facilities to dispose of compostable waste No waste-to-energy stations Stations that burn waste waste to produce energy One landfill-Chautauqua County landfill A place that puts a lot of trash in a hole and covers it with earth, unlike a dump, where it is just a hole you put trash in and don’t cover up A few regulated transfer stations-Including Chautauqua Landfill and Dunkirk Transfer Station Transfer Station A lot registered transfer stations-Including Busti Transfer Station and Clymer Transfer Station A facility that prepares trash to be put in a landfill

Chautauqua County should improve its type of energy sources used, for example, reduce the amount of nuclear power. It should also try to make Lake Chautauqua, otherwise a great lake, more healthy and free of invasive species. And finally, try to improve its health and social living industry by, for example, try to get more professionals to work for the industry.