Lake George has lost its winter ice and awaits your return.
Senator Stec Announces Resumption of Amtrak Adirondack Line Rail Service
Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) announced on Friday, March 10, 2023, that Amtrak has committed to fully reopening the Adirondack Line by April 3. Closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Adirondack Line provides a crucial service to North Country residents and runs from Albany to Montreal, including stops in Plattsburgh, Whitehall, Ticonderoga, Rensselaer, Port Henry, and Rouses Point.
Earlier this year, Stec called officials from the state Department of Transportation to highlight the importance of the Adirondack Line to our region and to advocate for service to resume. He hailed the announcement that service will soon resume as welcome news for residents and businesses alike.
“The Adirondack Line is a crucial resource for the North Country. It’s a transportation service for our residents and with its ability to connect visitors from Canada and across out state to this region, a major economic driver,” said Stec. “Its closure had a major impact on our ability to move forward from the pandemic and get our economy back on track.
“Given the importance of the Adirondack Line on our communities, reopening service was a major priority,” he continued. “I’m glad to see the efforts made by me and other officials to lobby for service to resume has paid off. The reopening of the Adirondack Line on April 3 is a major victory for the North Country.”
January Draws to Close
Snow along County Route 6.
DEC Automates Day Use Sales for Lake George Islands
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the transition to automated, online sales for all day use permits at the Lake George Islands.
“Automating the sales of day use permits for the Lake George Islands is easier and faster for visitors,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Instead of boating to an island headquarters to purchase a permit through a manual, labor intensive process, visitors can now quickly and easily book their day use permit online and spend more time enjoying the beauty of Lake George.”
Online day use sales are anticipated to begin May 12, seven days prior to the opening of the Lake George Islands campgrounds. Reservations can be booked as early as seven days prior to the day of arrival and as late as the same day. Visitors will be able to see real-time availability and even book a dock while on the water. The total fee for a day use permit is $12.
All patrons wishing to acquire a permit for Lake George Islands day use will need to do so either online through ReserveAmerica by downloading the ReserveAmerica app (search for RA Camping), or by calling the Call Center at 1-800-456-CAMP (2267). No in-person day use sales will be performed at our Lake George Islands campgrounds.
Online booking of day use will only apply to the Lake George Islands facilities. This new process will in no way change the booking of campsites at our Lake George Islands facilities, nor will it change day use sales at any other DEC campgrounds or day use areas.
For more information on DEC-operated campgrounds, including a list of campgrounds and schedules, visit the Camping page under Recreation on DEC’s website, or call DEC’s Bureau of Recreation at 518-457-2500. To make reservations at any DEC camping facility, call ReserveAmerica at 1-800-456-CAMP (2267) or visit the ReserveAmerica website.
Fourth of July Movie to Premiere on June 30th
Makeup is applied to an actress before filming of the Fourth of July Movie in Huletts Landing in 2021.
Happy “Fourth of July” premiering June 30th at the Beacon Theatre in New York city. Filmed right here in Huletts Landing last summer.
A new independent film produced and directed by comedian Louis CK. Screenplay by Louis CK and Comedian Joe List.
It is a dramedy – funny, poignant, real-life family shenanigans movie.
More to come! And yes, we will have a roving Huletts Current field representative at the premiere.
Fourth of July Movie Trailer
Below is the Fourth of July movie trailer which many know was filmed in and around Huletts Landing last summer.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 10 at 8:15 p.m., Warren County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance regarding a group hiking Cat and Thomas mountains. One of the members got separated and called for help. Ranger Kabrehl responded to the coordinates provided by 911 and located the subject approximately one-half mile from the Edgecomb Pond trailhead. Ranger Kabrehl assisted the 18-year-old from the Bronx to the trailhead where the subject was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Resources were clear at 11:30 p.m.
Swift water rescue training.
Hamlet of North River
Warren County
Swift Water Training: On April 8, Forest Rangers from Region 5 took advantage of seasonally high waters on the Hudson River to train for emergency swift water rescues. Rangers used an inflatable rescue boat to perform whitewater maneuvers including ferry angles, j-turns, and upriver/downriver travel. These training exercises help Rangers perform at advanced levels when responding to incidents in difficult conditions.
LGPC Chairman Bruce Young – Rest in Peace
In this photo from 2012, Bruce Young is seen with Lake George in the background.
It is with great sadness that I report that the Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission, Huletts Landing resident, and friend, Bruce Young, has passed away.
Mr. Young was, by far, the longest serving Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission, having been appointed and reappointed by different Governors from different parties to be Chairman. He led the advancement of many protections for Lake George and its users.
Mr. Young’s accomplishments in life are many, but he told me in many conversations I had with him over the years, that being Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission was one of the most important things he did.
He was devoted to Huletts Landing and Lake George in many, many ways. Mr. Young served for many years as a Trustee and Treasurer of the Mountain Grove Memorial church. His grandfather, Harland Foote, was the original builder of the church.
He will always be remembered as a leader in the conservation and protection of Lake George. He will be greatly missed.
When Mr. Young was reappointed for an additional term as Chairman, he told me: “When I look out at this beautiful body of water I realize that my job is to protect it, but while doing so, to always remember that our citizens are part of the Lake George story and that their legitimate rights need equal protection. It may be a quaint phrase, but I believe in maximum use without abuse. I believe that being appointed to three consecutive terms by different governors is evidence that the approach we’re taking is the right one.”
As information develops regarding his services, I will post.
Brush Burn Ban Starts: March 16th
From March 16 through May 14, New York’s annual statewide ban prohibiting brush burning is in effect. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires each spring. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed, but only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these or any fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to the DEC’s FIREWISE New York website.
Aquatic Invasive Species Law Signed into Law
Legislation to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species throughout New York State, with a special emphasis on the Adirondack Park, was signed into law today by Governor Kathy Hochul. Senator Dan Stec, the ranking Republican on the Senate Environmental Committee, cosponsored the legislation which replaces a law that expired at the end of May.
“It took a little longer than hoped, but the new law has been updated, made permanent and takes effect immediately,” said Stec. “This is great news especially for the park and the ecology important to us all. It’s much less costly and much more effective to prevent introduction rather than mitigate the spread of invasive species in our lakes, rivers and streams. Our region has been a leader on this issue. I want to thank the committee chair, Senator Todd Kaminsky, for his work on the legislation and Governor Hochul for final approval.”
New York’s “clean, drain and dry” law was adopted in 2014 to require that boats are inspected for aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and eurasian watermilfoil, before being launched in a waterbody. The law was reauthorized as part of the state budget in 2020 but expired at the end of May this year.
The updated law removes the sunset provision of the original law. Additionally, it authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to set up boat inspection stations throughout the Adirondack Park and within a ten-mile radius of the park’s boundary.
A tamperproof tag may be issued by the DEC to the boat operator certifying inspection. DEC will maintain on its website a list of all the boat washing inspection stations, including operating hours. Boaters may also self-certify following a DEC process to clean, drain and dry their watercraft.
“For any law to be effective, awareness is key,” said Stec. “That’s an ongoing process. An important part of this new law is the educational and public outreach efforts by DEC. Data collection will also help inform adjustments to make this work better in the years ahead.”
STILL WATER 4K: An Aviation Short Film
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 15 at 10:50 a.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from a 29-year-old runner from Brooklyn lost on an old forest road on the side of Prospect Mountain. Coordinates placed the runner close to the road, but without a map or compass to navigate the area, Forest Ranger Donegan responded to assist. At 11:58 a.m., Ranger Donegan located the runner at the coordinates provided by 911 and both were back out to Memorial Highway and clear of the scene at 12:20 p.m.
LGLC Protects 150 Acres in Bolton, Indian Brook Tributary
The Lake George Land Conservancy recently protected 150 acres in Bolton that includes a mile of steam that flows into Indian Brook, a major Lake George tributary.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has protected 150 acres of Bolton uplands through the use of a conservation easement, a tool used by land trusts that keep land in private ownership while protecting the land’s conservation values. The property includes one mile of stream corridor and 10 acres of wetland within the Indian Brook tributary of Lake George.
The property is owned by the DePace family, who sold the easement to the LGLC out of a desire to ensure its protection for future generations. Originally, the 150-acre tract was split into 23 residential lots, and allowed for 23 homes to be built. The DePace family and the LGLC worked to extinguish those 23 lots into just three lots. By doing so, important natural resources and the rural character of this region of Bolton are protected forever.
Landowners Tony and Gail DePace said, “Knowing that large parcels of Bolton Landing will be protected and environmentally healthy for many years to come is what prompted us to work together with the LGLC. Protecting the lands means protecting Lake George. The LGLC took every step to ensure that our personal needs and Bolton Landing’s environmental needs were met. The LGLC team worked extremely hard to put everything in place, no easy task after three years of getting every detail in order. We are fortunate to have the LGLC working diligently to protect Lake George and the lands surrounding it. Their mission is truly to protect the beauty we are fortunate to call home.”
Studies indicate that although Indian Brook is showing some impacts from development and other human activity, its watershed is still below the threshold of containing less than 10% of impervious surface, which is an indicator of overall health. Much of the watershed’s sensitive land is currently unprotected, however, leaving water quality vulnerable.
To address this issue, in 2017 the LGLC established its Indian Brook/Northwest Bay Conservation Initiative to work with willing landowners within the project area to acquire land and conservation easements that are vital to protecting water quality and important habitat, creating recreational opportunities, and keeping viewsheds intact.
LGLC Interim Executive Director Jeff Brozyna said, “This project perfectly demonstrates how the LGLC can protect land while also allowing it to remain in private hands. Conservation easements are a great way to protect sensitive lands while ensuring that landowners can continue to use and develop their land in sustainable ways. This project has so many obvious conservation values and it is wonderful to see the land protected—forever—after working on this project for a number of years. We are so grateful to the DePace family for their patience and their conservation ethic.”
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 1 at 6:53 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from two hikers who became disoriented while hiking Sleeping Beauty Mountain. The 65- and 69-year-old hikers from Long Island were on a trail, but were not sure which trail, as the trail markers were not the same color as the markers on their original trail. Neither hiker had headlamps, maps, food, water, or hiking equipment. At 9:40 p.m., Forest Rangers Donegan and Arnold located the couple on the trail near Bumps Pond, approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The Rangers provided the hikers with jackets, food, and water before escorting them to the trailhead. Forest Rangers and the hikers were back at the trailhead at 12:20 a.m.