Mina is a town in Chautauqua County, New York. The population was 1,007 at the 2020 census. It is the Southern Tier Gateway to New York State. The town is best known as a resort area, centered on the hamlet of Findley Lake.
AnnouncementsUpdated Zoning Law Effective June 12, 2025 Under Government Tab - Laws Local Law #3-2025 (2 files) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mina Town Board 2025 Meeting Schedule Mina-Findley Lake Community Center 2883 North Road, Findley Lake, NY 14736 Regular, Thursday, July 10, 7 pm Sewer Grinder Pump Manufacturers Presentations, July 22, 4 pm Sewer Work Session, Tues., July 29, 9 am Regular, Thursday, August 14, 7 pm Sewer Work Session, Tues., Aug. 26, 9 am Regular, Thursday, September 11, 7 pm Sewer Work Session, Tues., Sept. 30, 9 am Regular, Thursday, October 9, 7 pm Sewer Work Session, Tues., Oct. 28, 9 am Regular, Thursday, November 13, 7 pm Sewer Work Session, Tues., Nov. 25, 9 am Regular, Thursday, December 11, 7 pm Sewer Work Session, Mon., Dec. 29, 9 am ~~~~~~~~ Bicentennial Merchandise Swanee's Sentimental Journey Children's Book by Jennifer Packard Book Signing on July 4th from 11 am to noon at Water Wheel Overlook Building ~~~~~~~ History of Steamboats on Findley Lake Book by John Swartz Book Signing on July 4th from 11 am to noon at Water Wheel Overlook Building ~~~~~~~ For Sale For Sale at Findley Lake & Mina Historical Society Mina-Findley Lake Community Center 2883 North Road, Findley Lake, NY Saturday Mornings or Call 716-769-7688 
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Jackson Tilves (left), Dr. Paul Gantzer (right)
Experts Complete Onsite Fieldwork
The onsite fieldwork portions of the bathymetric assessment and the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) analysis of Findley Lake have both been completed (see article in the April 24, 2025 issue of the Tapestry newsletter for background information). Findley Lake is very fortunate to have experts in their respective fields lead each study utilizing best practice techniques. The bathymetric field work was completed on Thursday, April 24th. The team was led by Senior Environmental Scientist J.P. Bell, GISP (certified geographic information systems professional). He was assisted by Staff Scientist Jackson Tilves. Both of them have a B.S. in Environmental Science. They work out of the Princeton Hydro office in Trenton, N.J. Additionally, J.P. Bell has extensive knowledge and experience with relational databases, including design, implementation, and customization to fit the unique needs of each waterbody he studies. The methods for collecting data for the bathymetry included the use of a calibrated sounding rod for shallow areas (12 inches or less) and a dual frequency sounder to discern the top of sediment to the bottom of sediment. Princeton Hydro will produce two distinct maps, a water depth map and a sediment thickness map along with summary statistics for each map. Princeton Hydro subcontracted the SOD study to Paul Gantzer, PhD, Founder and CEO of Clarity Resources Group of Madison, WI. Dr. Ganzter is a P.E. (professional engineer) and received his PhD in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on Environmental and Water Resources. He also created and patented an aeration and oxygenation technology system, OST™ (Oxygen Saturation Technology). OST™ adds oxygen to the deep water (hypolimnion) over the sediments to control internal nutrient loading and to reduce muck by promoting the natural decomposition of organic matter. Dr. Gantzer was assisted by Jackson Tilves and completed the Findley Lake SOD fieldwork on Thursday, May 1st. They also collected two composite sediment samples for the analysis of total iron, total organic carbon, and level II phosphorus fractionation (separation into its individual components). By conducting these studies simultaneously, Princeton Hydro will have a more complete picture of the depth, locations, and density of phosphorus deposits. To develop strategies for addressing the problems caused by the impact of phosphorus in our lake, the professionals utilized state of the art collection techniques. Now that the fieldwork is finished, they have moved into the next phase of the studies where, back in their laboratories, they input data into computer programs that are designed to model the conditions present in Findley Lake. They can then scientifically analyze the lake and from their findings develop a holistic approach for managing oxygen deprivation that leads to anoxic (oxygen-deficient) conditions. Anoxic conditions, if not managed, will continue to lead to sediment phosphorus release which produces harmful algal blooms in Findley Lake and the health of the lake will continue to deteriorate. The Town of Mina greatly appreciates the collaboration and support received from the Findley Lake Watershed Foundation, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Chautauqua County to address the various sources of phosphorus loading in Findley Lake so that effective strategies can be implemented to manage and improve the long-term health of the lake. Submitted by Rebecca N. Brumagin Mina Town Supervisor May 8, 2025 
J. P. Bell (left), Jackson Tilves (right)
Lake Studies Being Conducted
Through the support of P.J. Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive, and Dave McCoy, Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator, the Town of Mina was awarded a Findley Lake Environmental Studies grant from Chautauqua County to conduct two lake studies – a bathymetric assessment and a sediment oxygen demand (SOD) analysis. J.P. Bell, Senior Environmental Scientist, and Jackson Tilves, Staff Scientist, from Princeton Hydro started field work on the bathymetric assessment on Tuesday, April 22nd and they should be finished with the data gathering on Thursday or Friday of this week. The SOD field work by Princeton Hydro will begin on Monday, April 28th and will take approximately one week. Analysis of the data and generation of the reports with findings for each of the studies is expected to be completed by July or August 2025. Both studies are the result of recommendations that came from a 2022 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning grant awarded to the Town of Mina for In-Waterbody Controls for Nutrients (available on the Town of Mina website under Publications). The data from the DEC grant supported the claim that the “internal phosphorous load is contributing to increased algal densities in the surface waters, and managing this internal load should improve water quality in Findley Lake.” The 2022 DEC grant also recommended that before moving forward with an accurate design and cost estimate for a specific oxygenation system to manage the internal phosphorous load for Findley Lake, that a detailed bathymetric assessment and a sediment oxygen demand analysis be conducted. The bathymetric survey is the “mapping of water depth and the amount of accumulated unconsolidated sediment (top of sediment to bottom of sediment) in a waterbody.” “Data from this assessment can be modeled to produce topographic contours of water depth and sediment thickness … it will help quantify the volume of an anoxic zone, which will help to design an efficient system.” The SOD “largely dictates the amount of oxygen that will need to be delivered to the lake via the direct oxygen system to provide sufficient oxygenation throughout the duration of the growing season.” The scientific collection of data pertaining to the SOD of Findley Lake involves the in-situ measurement of SOD utilizing chambers following United States Environmental Protection Agency approved methodology.” The two studies will provide data, findings, and recommendations to support the development of an effective system for oxygenation of Findley Lake that, if implemented, can manage phosphorous loading from in-waterbody nutrients. Exploring a system of oxygenation for Findley Lake is one aspect of a multi-faceted plan to manage the long-term health of the lake. Additional strategies include the implementation of the Findley Lake Sanitary Sewer System that is currently in the design phase and the Buesink’s Creek Stream Restoration Project, not yet underway, that is being funded by NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to stabilize the streambank and reduce sediment loading to the lake from stormwater runoff. The Findley Lake Watershed Foundation has been instrumental in the development and oversight of a comprehensive lake management plan. FLWF’s collaboration with the Town of Mina has been vital to moving these projects forward. Submitted by Rebecca N. Brumagin Mina Town Supervisor April 22, 2025 |