How the HVA Operates

• The HVA is a registered 501C3 organization. Your donations are eligible as a tax deduction.       

• The HVA has an annual meeting of the membership in July or August of each year.
  

• The HVA has several committees, including membership, boat safety, newsletter, adopt-a-highway, water quality, aquatic vegetation, and fish and wildlife. If you’re interested in serving on a committee or on the board, or if you have any suggestions, please contact any member of the Board of Directors.

Honeoye Lake is owned by New York State and is available for use by all citizens for recreational use. The lake is managed by several NYS departments including: Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS-DEC), Department of Parks Recreation and Historic Development (NYS-PRHD), Department of State (NYS-DOS), and Office of General Services (NYS-OGS). The Army Corp of Engineers also has management responsibility, primarily for streams entering the lake. The towns of Canadice and Richmond, in whose boundaries the lake resides, are also important partners in managing the lake and are usually the first to hear complaints regarding the lake conditions. Several other organizations important to lake management are Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District (OCSWCD), Ontario County Planning Department (OCPD), and Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC).

The Honeoye Valley Association (HVA) and the Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force (HLWTF) are two closely intertwined organizations.  The HLWTF is a cooperative inter-municipal association of the towns (Richmond, Canadice, Bristol, South Bristol, and Naples) in the watershed.  It is important since cooperation between all towns is vital to the lake, and the ability of towns to obtain grants from NYS and other governmental organizations. The HLWTF uses the technical expertise from the agencies listed in the previous paragraph.. The HVA is an association of lakefront and watershed residents interested in the lakes well-being and provides much of the volunteer services required by the HLWTF in its programs.

Although the New York State has the most authority over the lake, managing the lake is a cooperative effort of many partners listed above.