(May 16, 2006) — Cleaning up the south shore of Lake Ontario is a 15-year, $145 million proposition. But the authors of the Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative, a plan released Monday in Rochester, believe that it can be done with the cooperation of area residents.

New York has more than 300 miles of shoreline on Lake Ontario and its tributaries, in which levels of phosphorus — nutrient pollution that comes primarily from field and lawn runoff — still exceed state and federal guidelines in many regions.

Recent studies verify that the environmental gains made in the open lake just haven't been realized near the shore, said Joseph Makarewicz of State University College at Brockport

The plan, known as LOCI, lays out priorities identified by state and university scientists, policymakers and local residents, such as controlling the algae that washes up on beaches and reducing the erosion of streambeds. Protecting Lake Ontario's water quality must include efforts throughout its drainage basin — which extends into 25 New York counties, the plan says.

"I'm a firm believer that watersheds are the key to this ...You have to go way back inland to get the lake right," said Rep. James Walsh, R-Onondaga, Onondaga County.

During a news conference Monday at the SUNY Brockport Metro Center downtown, LOCI leaders acknowledged that the major challenge will be securing the funds for the research, educational, communications and restoration efforts.

Funding for Great Lakes cleanup efforts has not been included in federal budgets at the levels environmentalists had expected.

"I know changes don't come easily ... they're not pain-free," said David Klein of The Nature Conservancy of Central and Western New York.

Several other national and international efforts to set priorities for restoring the Great Lakes are ongoing and could be helpful in securing funds. But with a local focus, the Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative can perhaps move more quickly, supporters said.

"We are one piece of the bigger pie," said Cindy Stachowski, director for the Center for Environmental Information, one of the partners that formed LOCI.

The initiative has secured $750,000 in federal funds with the assistance of Walsh and continues to pursue state and federal funds.

The first round of LOCI grants, totaling $40,000, has already been awarded for research this summer: