Lance Vella
President
About OLA
The Oneida Lake Association (OLA) was founded in 1945 to protect, restore and preserve the natural resources of Oneida Lake and its surrounding ecosystem. The OLA has evolved from what was once perceived as a fishing association to what has today become a powerful environmental partnership group.
The OLA represents its 2,500+ members in legislative and environmental issues which impact Oneida Lake. The Oneida Lake Association achieves its political strength from its highly valued Membership, without whom most of its efforts would be severely diminished. Have a look at the benefits of membership in the OLA, and what it has to offer you.
Our Mission
The mission of the Oneida Lake Association is to protect the fisheries, wildlife, and natural resources of Oneida Lake by promoting science-based conservation and management through education and outreach, in partnership with our members and local communities.
Board of Directors
John Harmon
Vice President & Secretary
Amy Hetherington
Director
Matthew Snyder
Vice President
Robert Walczyk
Treasurer
Kurt Snyder
Director
Bruce Schantz
Director
Mike Scanlon
Director
Committees
Chair: John Harmon
Members: Patricia Cerro-Reehil, Mike Barretta, Bill Girvan, Bruce Schantz, Ryan Asmus, Lance Vella, Amy Hetherington, and Matt Snyder
Purpose: The mission of the committee is to effectively communicate the events, biology, and history within the Oneida Lake watershed, and provide timely and accurate information about recreation within that region. In addition to advancing the Annual Meeting, this committee also organizes our presence at various sports shows and functions to promote OLA’s Charter. The committee will perform maintenance and upkeep of the nine OLA signs and their surrounding immediate area based upon an ongoing assessment of their contemporary message(s), appearance and condition, as a means of promoting OLA awareness, providing advertising for local businesses and thereby generating income for the OLA, and conveying membership relevancy. Outreach includes the OLA Bulletin, enews, Facebook, and OLA webpage.
Chair: Ed Mills
Members: Kurt Snyder, Patricia Cerro-Reehil, Matt Snyder, Rip Colesante, Rowly Hrywnak, Amy Hetherington, and George Reck
Purpose: The committee’s purpose includes the engagement, review, analysis, and preparation of preliminary position statements about issues and events related to Oneida Lake water levels, lake inflows, and watershed conditions potentially influencing the lake’s water quality, recreational use, and the general lake environment.
Co-Chairs: Rip Colesante and Bill Girvan
Members: George Reck, Matt Snyder, Kurt Snyder, Tony Buffa, Mike Barretta, Warren Darby, and Bill Alexander
Purpose: The focus of this committee includes identification and assessment of fisheries issues as they relate to Oneida Lake. The committee's work entails preparation of defensible position statements that represent the OLA and its membership, and interaction with the NYSDEC and elected officials to advance these OLA positions. Fisheries issues can include, but are not limited to, angling activities and regulations, fish culture, fisheries research, fishing access, and general lake management.
Sponsors and Supporters
NYE Auto
Conservationist of the Year
2024
John Smith
The Oneida Lake Association (OLA) is proud to announce that it has named Warren Darby, past president and current member of the OLA Board of Directors, as its 2022 Conservationist of the Year.
2024 test
John Smith
The Oneida Lake Association (OLA) is proud to announce that it has named Warren Darby, past president and current member of the OLA Board of Directors, as its 2022 Conservationist of the Year.