GUILFORD – The town board has approached the New York State Rural Water Association in an attempt to gather more information about the environmental impacts on Guilford Lake following a plea from the Guilford Lake Association.

Victor Westgate, vice president of the lake association, approached the board in January, asking that they explore the possibility of re-designating the lake as a critical environmental area.

“Massive development around the lake would affect everyone in the town,” said Westgate at last month’s board meeting. “We need to make sure the area is protected by law.”

Supervisor George Seneck said he had spoken to Steve Winkley with the RWA about doing research on the area surrounding the lake and creating a data map.