A lawsuit involving the health of Chautauqua Lake and the use of herbicides to control invasive weeds was adjourned until later this month so a state Supreme Court judge could hear more information about the case.

Chautauqua Institution is suing the state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Chautauqua Lake Partnership, and the Town of Ellery over the use of herbicides last spring to help control unwanted plant growth in the lake.

The Institution says a supplemental environmental impact statement used as a basis for permits from the DEC left many questions unanswered about the safety of those herbicides for people who use the lake for drinking water and recreation, as well as wildlife in and around the water.

"Where is it going to drift? What other weeds is it going to kill? What other fish habitat is it going to destroy?" asked John Shedd, Chautauqua Institution vice president.

Shedd says the Institution wants to see a better scientific and comprehensive plan for the health of the lake from local governments and agencies involved before using the weed-killing chemicals in the lake in the future.

"[To make sure] there's enough information to make a decision on how to apply the herbicides, where they should be applied and whether they should be applied," he said.

Attorneys for the state DEC, Chautauqua Lake Partnership, and Town of Ellery have asked a judge to dismiss the case for a variety of reasons, including the timing of Chautauqua Institution’s lawsuit after the herbicides were already applied. The attorneys did not immediately return a request for comment.

The judge held off on a decision and set another court date for November 26.