State Senator Tom O'Mara shares his take on algal blooms -- a challenge affecting lakes across the region, including the Finger Lakes.

The governor asked for $65 million to invest in protecting a dozen lakes he described as priorities. Cuomo and the DEC in the initial plan are looking at some major bodies of water, which will in essence trickle down to lakes like Canandaigua, Keuka, and Seneca.

Earlier this month, the governor outlined his action plan, from wastewater treatment and septic system upgrades to dealing with stream bank erosions. O’Mara says that the plan thus far covers a solid, comprehensive approach. Storm, road, ditch farm and culvert runoff is a wide-ranging problem, and the DEC is looking at ways to reduce the non-point pollution.

One of the issues cited is runoff from farms -- it essentially provides nutrients for these blooms and speeds the growth. There is a lot of agriculture in Upstate New York. O’Mara wants to balance the needs of farmers with safety of drinking water. Reducing run off means reduction of fertilizer use, changing weather patterns can’t be prevented, but by working with county, soil, agricultural and water groups – O’Mara is certain that they will find better solutions.

As the chair the Environmental Conservation Committee, O’Mara says the average person should stay away from toxic blooms, but to always report them to the DEC.

In Focus is a weekly public affairs segment airing each Sunday throughout news programming, exclusively on Spectrum News.