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LGLC Accepting Applications for Summer Stewardship Assistants

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is now accepting applications for two Stewardship Assistant positions. The positions are full time but temporary, to be filled late May through mid to late August.

The Stewardship Assistants will work together and primarily conduct field work, including trail maintenance and new trail construction, boundary posting, and monitoring of conservation easement properties. They will also lead public hikes and educational outings, and assist other staff as needed with summer events.

Should local knowledge, experience and training make it appropriate, one Stewardship Assistant will be offered the position of Lead Stewardship Assistant and will be given additional leadership responsibilities.

Application deadline is March 6. For more information about the positions, including full job descriptions, visit lglc.org/about/#jobs.

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Bits of Everything

The Adirondack Almanack: Lake George from Green Island Bridge

A great picture of the lake in cold weather from the bridge to the Sagamore.

NY State DEC: Adirondack Forest Ranger Search and Rescue Highlights: 12/29/14-01/04/15

You might end up in this report if you get lost in the woods.

Governor Cuomo’s 2014 End of Year Report

The actual report is 44 pages but it’s broken down by category.

Office of the State Controller, Thomas P. DiNapoli

State Pension Fund Commits Additional $50 Million
to Invest in New York-Based Companies

USA Today: North Korean Reality Isn’t Funny for Christians

How North Korea treats Christians.

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Ready for a Swim?

Well, then you will want to take part in the 2015 Lake George Polar Plunge on New Year’s day at Shepard Park Beach in Lake George Village.

The annual Lake George Polar Plunge has been a popular tradition for years, occurring on the “First Day” in Lake George, and benefits each year’s Winter Carnival, which runs through the end of February.

Learn more here.

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Christmas Bird Count with the LGLC


A male goldfinch.

Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, December 20

Join this annual nation-wide citizens science effort to survey bird populations, locally organized by the Lake George Land Conservancy. Observe by car, foot, boat or at the feeder. Meet up with fellow CBC participants afterwards to compare counts while warming up with coffee and hot chocolate. Count circle includes Bolton, Diamond Point, Cleverdale, and east shore from Pilot Knob to Black Mt. Times vary. Free. Pre-registration required: email events@lglc.org or call 518-644-9673.

For more information about the Christmas Bird Count, visit http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

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Update: Hobie Cat Sailboat FOUND


This 16 foot Hobie Cat sailboat (seen here in August) with mustard yellow pontoons, had been reported missing by its owner.

Update: 11/25/14 5:50 PM – I was informed that the sailboat has been recovered intact by the LGPC. I appreciate the information many emailed me. Thanks again for the information passed along.

It was last seen sometime in late September or early October. If you remember seeing it, either on the shoreline or in the water, please drop me an email or call me.

When you’re in Huletts in the off-season, please always notice any activity that seems out of the ordinary.

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Lake George Association Partners with Friends Point Homeowners Association to Restore Shoreline on Northern End of Lake George

Last month the Lake George Association finished up a demonstration project that was the first of its kind on the shores of Lake George. The Friend’s Point Homeowners’ Association had contacted the LGA about a problem area on their property along the Lake. Due to the clay soils and southern exposure, a section of shoreline approximately 150’ long was eroding into the lake, causing turbidity in the usually clear waters. Concerned about the situation, members of the homeowner’s group reached out to the LGA for help.

“We were really excited to partner with the Friend’s Point homeowners on this project,” said Randy Rath, the LGA’s project manager. ‘They had considered other approaches such as rip-rap – but they were really interested in doing what was best for the Lake. Bio-engineering is not new. But we haven’t seen a lot of it around here just yet. So this is a very important demonstration project for our area,” said Rath.


A view of the Friends Point shoreline before the work commenced. (Click all pictures to see full-scale.)

Bioengineering uses vegetation for shoreline stabilization. Rather than traditional ‘hard’ or ‘structural’ approaches such as concrete walls, bulkheads, or rip-rap, bioengineering approaches typically have lower costs and longer-term benefits to the shoreline and water quality, making these methods a great choice for Lake George. The bank and shoreline are stabilized, and fish and wildlife habitat are also improved. However, more structural type approaches are often chosen because people are more familiar with them. While effective, they tend to be more expensive, need replacement over time, and can have detrimental environmental impacts.


The shoreline being stabilized with native vegetation.

“At the Friends Point location there was significant wave action, so we couldn’t just plant some plants on the shoreline and expect that to hold up to the forces of Mother Nature,” said Rath. “We used a stormwater product called ‘Grow Soxx’ made by the company Filtrexx. Essentially, we recreated a shoreline for the plants to grow on. But we had to be sure that our new shoreline wouldn’t be washed away like the old one. So we anchored it using a geogrid and large duckbill anchors into the ground. Then, once the new shoreline was in place came the fun part, planting it with native vegetation. The hope is that in a few years the shoreline will look natural again. You won’t even know that we were there.”


Lake George Association staff worked to create the shoreline buffer.

In addition to the shoreline work, on the same property there was also a drainage culvert in need of repair. Runoff coming out of the end of a pipe was badly eroding soil out into the lake in addition to the erosion problems right along the shoreline itself. The LGA again worked with a similar material for a solution to this problem as well. The gully being created from the stormwater runoff was graded, and then lined with the ‘Ditch Chexx’. The ‘Ditch Chexx’ were filled with a compost mix and grass seed, which will grow and stabilize the culvert. This should stop any future erosion from this location as well.


The new ‘Ditch Chexx’ culvert.

“We are really pleased with the results of this project so far,” said Rath. “We will go back to the site in the spring to check it and see how it all fared through the winter. We hope to start to do more and more projects using similar bioengineering approaches. It gives us the best bang for our buck in terms of protecting water quality and a healthy lake ecosystem overall, so we hope to get more property owners on board with this type of technique.”

Photos courtesy of the Lake George Association.

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Lake George Association Partners with Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to Install Native Plant Shoreline Buffer


Looking out to Lake George from the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association property in Bolton.

The Lake George Association has partnered with the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to install a native plant buffer along a section of the association’s shoreline along the Lake. In addition to wanting to buffer the shoreline to help protect the Lake from any potential stormwater runoff in the area, the association is also hoping that the buffer will help keep Canada geese off their property.

“We were very excited to partner with the homeowner’s association on this project. Complaints about Canada geese are nothing new around the Lake. In fact, earlier this summer we partnered with USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services to begin a Canada goose survey of the Lake as a first step in developing a management plan,” said Emily DeBolt, LGA’s Outreach Coordinator. “However, there are steps that property owners can take on their own as well,” said DeBolt.


A view in from the lake.

One such step is maintaining – or re-creating – a more natural shoreline. When geese have a direct line from the Lake to tasty, green grass, it is like an open invitation for them. “We can’t really blame the geese,” said DeBolt. “I know it isn’t what people want to hear, but we have created an ideal scenario for them and they are just obliging.”

Luckily, the homeowners at the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association listened to what DeBolt had to say. The shoreline buffer installed at the Norowal Homeowner’s Association property will hopefully help with the goose problem come spring. By then, the native perennials installed this fall will be getting established, and will be tall enough to deter the geese, but not so tall as to impede the view of the Lake for the homeowners that use the property. “We were thrilled to work with the LGA staff to make this project happen,’ said Cheryl Lamb, Association member. “We have wanted to address our shoreline area for a while now, but we just weren’t sure where to begin. The LGA’s expertise made it possible. We can’t thank them enough for all their help.”


Native blue flag iris is planted on the left. Invasive yellow iris appears on the right.

Another important part of this project was first removing a large section of yellow iris that had taken hold along the shoreline. Yellow iris is an extremely invasive plant that is found along the shorelines of the Lake. The seeds float, so the water carries them, allowing the plant to pop up anywhere the wind takes it. “What was interesting about this yellow iris was that on the same section of shoreline there was also the native blue flag iris as well just a few feet away. You could really tell the difference between the two in terms of size when they were next to each other like that. We were sure to remove the invasive yellow iris but keep the native blue flag iris as part of the new buffer,” said DeBolt. “We will be sure to monitor the planting next year to see if any bits of yellow iris pop back up as well. We did our best to remove it all, but it is always a good idea to monitor an area for a few years just to make sure you got it all.”

“This buffer had many different components to it that will benefit the Lake. We were able to not only remove invasive species, but also then plant native species to both better stabilize the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide a buffer before stormwater runoff reaches the lake. And as if all that wasn’t enough, it will also discourage geese from using the area,” said DeBolt. “We really wish everyone would consider buffering their shoreline with native plants. It’s not only an investment in your property, but it’s also an investment in the Lake. We can’t think of a better win-win than that.”

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Lake Defenders Goes to the Theatre

Please join the Lake George Association for a screening of the Mountain Lakes PBS documentary Lake Defenders at the Charles R. Wood Theatre on Tuesday October 7, 2014 at 7 pm.

Lake Defenders highlights the programs and partners working around the Lake in the battle against aquatic invasive species. LGA Executive Director Walt Lender will be present to speak about the LGA’s work in protecting Lake George from invasive species and to answer any questions. State Senator Betty Little and Mountain Lakes PBS President and CEO Alice Recore will also speak at the event.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for the event and all proceeds will go to benefit the Lake George Association.

For those who would like to watch this documentary online, it is posted below.

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Lake George Association Partnering with Lake George Park Commission for Comprehensive Recreation Study of the Lake


Boaters enjoy Lake George.

The Lake George Association is partnering with the Lake George Park Commission (LGPC) for a 2015 Recreation Study of the Lake. This project will be an update to the 2005 Recreation Study that was completed now a decade ago, and will provide a better understanding of the current conditions on the Lake in order to more effectively manage the lake, promote public access, and reduce congestion, overcrowding and safety hazards.

“The Commission looks forward to undertaking a comprehensive review of recreation uses on Lake George in 2015. By better understanding public use patterns, the Commission can be more fully prepared to serve the public with boating safety operations and long-term lake protection initiatives. We thank the Lake George Association for their generous financial contribution towards this important project,” said Bruce Young, Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission.

At the July meeting of the LGA’s Board of Directors, members approved a motion to fund half of the cost of the study, up to $25,000. “The Lake George Association’s Recreation Committee has met with LGPC staff and commissioners over the years to stay abreast of recreation-related issues on the Lake and feel that this is a very important study,” said Mike Dier, LGA’s Vice President of the Board of Directors and a long-standing member of the Water Recreation Committee. “We have a long history of working with partners on recreational issues on the lake. In 2008 we worked with the Lake George Power Squadron to update the navigational charts of the lake using our geographic information systems (GIS) database and we have offered numerous boater safety courses at our office over the years as well as printing an educational boater safety brochure,” said Dier.

A request for qualifications has been released by the LGPC and proposals are due at the beginning of next week by September 15. Planning work for this project is intended to be undertaken this upcoming winter with field work and data collection for this project anticipated for next summer. The final report would be complete by the end of 2015.

Just like in 2005, the updated 2015 Recreation Study will provide an overview of the type, intensity, distribution and timing of boating on Lake George based on the 2014 field season. Surveys of various user groups such as boaters, beach users, business owners, tourists, etc, will also be conducted to gather information regarding perceptions of use and enjoyment of the lake. Analysis and summary of LGPC data including Marine Patrol contacts and enforcement, dock permit trends, and marina permit trends will also be included in the report. And ideally the final report will be able to show new data trends and changes from findings in 2005 Recreation Study.

The 2005 study found 460,372 total boat use days from April-Sept with 44,177 motorboat launches and 75,835 public beach users estimated for 2005. The average horsepower on the lake was 194 while the average horsepower of performance boats was 500. During peak use, there were 261 PWCs, 303 canoes/kayaks, 317 sailboats, and 1,553 motorboats, for a grand total of 2,434 boats out on the Lake at one time at peak use. However, over the course of an entire weekend day during the summer – there were 4,700 motorboats on the Lake, and 2,500 motorboats on a weekday. It will be interesting to see how these numbers compare now ten years later.

In addition to the data collected through observation, survey data found that over ninety percent of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their Lake George recreational experience. High water quality contributed most to that satisfaction and water quality was very important to the majority of users. The main issues of concern identified during the surveys were invasive species, followed by noise from PWCs and unsafe operation of boats. “It will be very interesting to see how the new results compare to these findings from 2005, said Walt Lender, the LGA’s Executive Director. With the increased attention to invasive species recently, I for one am curious to see if this concern is more prominent in the updated study. It will also be very interesting to learn how lake users perceive the water quality of the lake as well. It’s one thing for those of us who think about it day in and day out, but it will be very useful to get a good idea of how a large group of lake users view the quality of the water.”

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Lake Champlain- Lake George Regional Planning Board 2013 Annual Report

I recently received in the mail, the 2013 Annual Report for the Lake Champlain – Lake George Regional Planning Board. This organization operates a number of revolving loan fund programs provided by the US Department of Commerce and Department of Agriculture. The brochure details the companies that the Board loaned money to locally and a number of their initiatives which includes a winter road education program. (Readers of the Huletts Current will know the dangers road salt plays in the pollution of fresh water lakes.)

It’s 5 pages but an interesting read. (Click the image above to read the report.)

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New Board Members Join LGLC

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors: Ed Becker, DVM, Elizabeth Guest, and Elizabeth Meigher.


Ed Becker

Ed Becker, DVM, is a recently retired veterinarian who built and founded The Animal Hospital P.C. in Slingerlands, NY. Dr. Becker’s interest in wildlife rehabilitation began as a young veterinarian, treating wildlife when very few veterinarians were involved. For over 25 years Dr. Becker was the consulting veterinarian to the Endangered Species Unit of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. He was directly involved with Pete Nye and the bald eagle reintroduction program, as well as with Barb Loucks and the peregrine falcon program.

Dr. Becker was appointed to the Guilderland NY Conservation council in 1983 and then to the Planning Board in 1986. He served on the planning board for 19 consecutive years as vice chairman when the area was under intense developmental pressure. Dr. Becker also served on the Presidents Council at Cornell University, and was on the board of directors of the Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic for many years. He has a home on Sabbath Day Point and winters in Cape Haze, Florida.


Elizabeth Guest

Elizabeth Guest has been a lifetime summer resident of Silver Bay, a fact which greatly influenced and guided her path in life. In 2000, the Ms. Guest family gifted a conservation easement on their 59 acres to LGLC, a gift that resulted in their induction as a founding member into LGLC’s Apperson Society.

Ms. Guest graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY with a BA in business and math. A career at Sotheby’s auction house in New York City culminated in her position as an Impressionist and Modern paintings and sculpture expert and appraiser for the company. A natural career transition led to the field of interior design. Ms. Guest founded Elizabeth Guest Interiors LLC in 1996, with a primary focus on high-end residential design.

Ms. Guest has raised her three sons and a niece in Silver Bay every summer, continuing the tradition into the next generation of a deep and lasting love for this magnificent lake and its surrounding landscapes.


Elizabeth Meigher

Elizabeth Meigher was born in New York City and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1999 with a BA in English. After college she headed to Morgan Stanley, where she worked as a Sales Analyst for three years. In 2003 she followed her English major routes to Quest Media, where she began working for Quest, a lifestyle magazine that covers real estate, culture, history, nostalgia, entertainment, philanthropy, business and fashion. In 2005, Ms. Meigher founded Q Magazine, a quarterly publication focused on style and nostalgia.

Ms. Meigher took her first trip to Lake George when she was eight years old and has spent every summer since at her family home on Crown Island. She loves to swim, hike and sail and play with her English springer spaniel, “Tug.”

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LGA Receives Froehlich Foundation Funding for Over Two Decades of Lake Protection

Lake George Association has been awarded a grant of $379,200 for lake-saving initiatives from the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation. This is the LGA’s twenty-first consecutive award from the Froehlich Foundation.

This grant award will provide $143,200 toward lake saving projects, $56,000 toward education and outreach programs, and $180,000 toward lake quality programs, including invasive species management, land use management and outreach into local communities and geographic information systems (GIS).

“This grant award provides crucial support for our lake saving projects,” said Walt Lender, the LGA’s executive director. “Through cost-sharing with our municipal partners, we are able to complete stormwater infrastructure projects like sediment basin construction, and streambank and wetlands restoration. These upstream projects dramatically improve the quality of the water entering Lake George,” he said. “This funding is key to our ability to protect Lake George for future generations,” he added.LGA’s Project Manager Randy Rath will now be able to move a number of previously identified projects forward thanks to the received funding. “With this grant money we will be able to fix a few previously identified stormwater issues, come up with some concepts for others and identify a few more issues that can be earmarked for future projects,” said Rath.

Funding was received to help address stormwater management at Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton Landing as part of the larger comprehensive update to the park designed by the LA Group. Stormwater improvements will include the implementation of a closed drainage system for surface runoff associated with pavement and roof areas in the park as well as the installation of bio-retention structures, swales, berms and land forms to collect and direct surface stormwater away from the hillside and the lake. Rain gardens will be installed to provide treatment for direct discharge of runoff and associated sediments from upland areas. In addition to the work in Bolton, other priority projects including a study of the Foster Brook watershed will also be completed as well as additional watershed studies. In addition, “the grant, when leveraged with funds from members and donors, enables us to secure significant funding from public sources, and in turn, extends our ability to complete more projects throughout the watershed,” Lender said.

The LGA’s popular Floating Classroom program will receive $25,000 to help teach lake science and watershed management to area students and the general public. Funding will also support the LGA’s environmental literacy and youth watershed education programs as well. “We are looking forward to creating even more stewards of Lake George throughout this school year through our Floating Classroom Program, in-school programs, and after school enrichment programs, said Kristen Rohne, the LGA’s Education Coordinator.” “Many people know us for our Floating Classroom program, and when they are on the boat in the summer ask us what we do in the winter. What they don’t know is that we also provide area schools with educational programming year-round, so we keep plenty busy even when the boat is off the lake for the winter,” said Rohne. Over 3,000 people benefit each year from the LGA’s Education and Outreach programs, which are largely underwritten through grants like the one provided by the Froehlich Foundation. Earlier this year, the LGA’s Floating Classroom won the EPA’s highest honor, the Environmental Quality Award, for this amazing hands-on program that teaches about watersheds and water quality while out on the Lake.