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Stec Constitutional Amendment Facilitating Camp Gabriels Sale Passes Senate

A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) to facilitate the sale of Camp Gabriels in the Town of Brighton today passed the state Senate. Senate bill S27 would enable the property to be sold or leased while ensuring the funds from the sale go toward forest preserve acquisition in the Adirondack Park. This is third consecutive year Stec’s legislation has passed the Senate.

“Camp Gabriels has laid dormant far too long and it’s had a negative impact on our local economy and quality of life,” Stec said. “If we’re serious about repurposing closed prisons, passing this constitutional amendment removes this financial liability from the state and generate the jobs, revenue and economic activity we’ve needed in Franklin County since Camp Gabriels was closed in 2009.

“In addition to the economic potential of a sale, this amendment ensures we continue forest preservation in the Adirondack Park for years to come,” he continued. “I’m hopeful that the Assembly will also take action this year, so we can get one step closer to bringing this amendment to voters and ensure this site is used to better our region.”

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The Bacon Brothers Sing “My Adirondack Home”

“My Adirondack Home” performed by the Bacon Brothers, pays tribute to the summer home of Michael and Kevin Bacon and their families, as they have a family camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The song features in the Emmy Award-Winning documentary “Songs to Keep: Treasures of an Adirondack Folk Collector.” The program showcases folk music collected by a historian named Marjorie Lansing Porter in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. Producer Paul Larson won the Emmy for outstanding documentary at the Boston/New England Regional Emmy Awards. “Songs to Keep: Treasures of an Adirondack Folk Collector” is a production of Mountain Lake PBS.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.