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.
Top News Story of Huletts: 2022
Huletts was a busy place in 2022. Things started to return to normal after Covid-19. While all the major media outlets are recapping the big events of the past year, I like to move into the new year by taking one last look back at what I consider the top “news” story of Huletts Landing from this past year. This year a phenomenon happened which many didn’t notice at first, but when I thought about it, was in my opinion, the biggest story of the year.
So for 2022 the top “news” story of the year for me was that property values and sales of real estate reached record highs on Lake George and in Huletts Landing. I’ll try to explain my rationale for picking this as the top story.
I’ve known for some years by the number of calls many receive from realtors, who are looking for listings, that demand for property on Lake George has been increasing. However, 2022 was a year like none before. I had heard anecdotally during the summer (but have no way to confirm this) that over 4,000 potential buyers were scouring the Lake George basin looking for homes to purchase and there were only approximately 100 for sale.
Those types of numbers, if accurate, would lead to an explosion of real estate prices. That is what seems to have occurred. There were a only a few sales that took place locally but many of those were done without even the properties being listed for sale. The prices for real estate all around Lake George and including Huletts Landing surged in 2022. A number of factors are contributing to this – the beauty of the lake, a scarcity of developable land, strong environmental regulations, many large parcels being preserved from any development whatsoever, and last but not least – people recognizing that there really isn’t any other place like Lake George.
This has other effects: those owning lake front property saw their tax assessments rise, those renting property saw rental rates increase, and with more expensive carrying costs for ownership of land – prices for everything in the basin will most likely go up.
So for 2022 the top “news” story of the year was property values and sales of real estate reached record highs on Lake George and in Huletts Landing.
So if you have children who may want to own a home on or near Lake George someday, make sure they’re doing their homework and getting along with the neighbors. Prices don’t seem like they will be coming down anytime soon.
Happy New Year and on to 2023!
Lake George Land Conservancy Buys More Property
View of the Bolton back country from land recently protected by the LGLC.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has purchased two properties in the Town of Bolton, a total of 48 acres of forest and wetlands, including 3,745 feet of Indian Brook and seasonal streams that feed into it.
In October the LGLC purchased a 10-acre property that adjoins 130 acres previously protected in 2016. Extending the protected boundary with this acquisition enhances the ability of its large wetlands to slow and filter surface waters and to mitigate storm events that deliver sediment to the lake. Larger contiguous areas of conserved lands also provide better wildlife habitat and are more resilient to natural disturbances.
The second property, a 38-acre parcel that includes nearly 3 acres of wetlands, was purchased November 22. This land features a mature hemlock forest and steep slopes.
These projects are part of the LGLC’s Indian Brook and Northwest Bay Conservation Initiative that is focused on protecting the watershed of one of Lake George’s largest tributaries, Indian Brook, which empties into Lake George’s Northwest Bay. Including these two properties, the Initiative has permanently protected more than 2,500 acres of land within this critical region.
“In protecting these properties,” said LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn, “the LGLC is providing permanent protection for the waters flowing into Lake George, as well as expanding the connected landscape for animals that rely on healthy, intact forests.”
Current zoning on these two properties would allow for development that could result in disturbed soils, impervious surfaces, and septic systems that would threaten the water quality of Indian Brook and Lake George itself.
Mature and healthy hemlock stands exist on these lands, which will be monitored by the LGLC for signs of the invasive pest hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). If HWA is identified, the LGLC will manage the infestation to prevent the spread and limit the water quality impacts of the invasive pest.
More information about the LGLC’s Indian Brook and Northwest Bay Conservation Initiative and how to support this project can be found at LGLC.org/projects
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Recovery: On Nov. 27 at 9:30 a.m., Forest Rangers were notified about a hunter having cardiac issues walking down the Pilot Knob trail to the Buck Mountain trailhead. When Rangers and Pilot Knob Fire arrived, the hunter was unconscious. Other hunters, hikers, and fire department personnel were performing CPR on the hunter. Rangers and EMS personnel continued these efforts. At 10:18 a.m., the hunter was declared deceased by the lead Fort Ann EMS Paramedic. DEC Investigator Goodrich also responded.
Fall Colors are Changing
New Lake George Wastewater Treatment Plant Opens
New York State Senator, Dan Stec, speaks at the opening of the new Lake George Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Click image to see larger version.)
New York Sen. Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) on Wednesday attended the opening ceremony of the Lake George Wastewater Treatment Plant, a facility that aims to ensure the continued health of the “Queen of American Lakes” for generations to come.
For years, Stec joined a chorus of local and state officials calling for state support for the project. Ultimately, the state contributed $14.9 million for the construction of the new plant, including $9.4 million in state grants, and $5.5 million in funding from Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Water Quality Improvement programs.
A $9 million interest-free loan from the state Environmental Facility Corp. covered much of the remaining cost of the $24.4 million project.
All told, the state support relieved much of the burden from taxpayers in Lake George Village. “Lake George is an ecological wonder and a cornerstone of our local economy. The importance of its long-term health cannot be understated. That’s why for years I’ve joined with local officials and advocated for the funding necessary to complete these upgrades,” Stec said. “I’m pleased that this crucial project has been completed and appreciative of the state’s support.”
Built in 1932, the village’s previous treatment plant had been under consent order with the state Department of Environmental Conservation since 2014. In 2016, DEC ordered the Lake George to overhaul its entire treatment system, which serves the village and several nearby municipalities within the Lake George basin.
The new plant will significantly reduce the amount of nitrates and other pollutants entering the lake.
Update: Injured Boater Airlifted from Golf Course
Update 8/10/2022
Huletts Landing V.F.C was dispatched to a possible drowning across from 987 County Route 6 at approximately 4 pm on Tuesday afternoon.
Deputy Chief Leghorn arrived to find a 25 yr old male on the shore of the lake with a serious head injury.
Victim received injury after diving off boat and striking his head on a rock in the water. He was helped to shore by friends who were with him at the time of the accident.
Emergency Medical care was given by members of Huletts Landing Vol. Fire Co., Skeensborough Ambulance and a nurse and pediatric doctor who were in the area at the time of the accident.
The patient was flown by Lifenet helicopter to Albany Medical center. Huletts Landing Firefighters set up and coordinated the Landing Zone.
At approximately 4:00 pm on Tuesday, August 9th, an injured boater was airlifted for medical attention from the Huletts golf course. The Huletts Landing Volunteer fire department responded and coordinated the airlift for the injured boater.
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.
Big Fish That Did Not Get Away
It’s always interesting to see our fishermen friends hold up their “catch of the day.” Lake George has some of the best fishing around so it’s nice to see the folks who can reel them in. Many thanks to the Dennehy brothers for sharing these great pictures.
Editors note: The title of this post is slightly misleading because both fish pictured above are still swimming in Lake George because they were “thrown back” by our fishermen friends.
Court Grants Preliminary Injunction on Use of Chemical Herbicide in Lake George
New York State Supreme Court Justice Robert J. Muller has issued a preliminary injunction on the Lake George Park Commission’s planned use of the chemical herbicide ProcellaCOR in an effort to control Eurasian watermilfoil. The injunction was requested by the Lake George Association, Waterkeeper and fellow petitioners the Town of Hague and Lake George property owner Helena G. Rice. In his decision, Judge Muller noted the “high degree” of public interest in the case, including the large number of concerned citizens who attended last week’s court hearing.
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 May 19 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Kabrehl and Morehouse responded by boat to a report of an injured hiker on First Peak in the Tongue Mountain Range, not far from Northwest Bay. Rangers reached the hikers by 4:30 p.m., and determined the 55-year-old from Tupper Lake couldn’t put any weight on his knee. Five Rangers helped carry the hiker to the boat. The group reached Green Island by 7:48 p.m., and the hiker sought further medical attention on his own.
Hiker rescued in Bolton
Hiker rescued in Bolton
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 18 at 12:47 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance after two hikers called for help advising they were dehydrated and lacked energy as they were summitting Buck Mountain. Forest Ranger St. Claire responded and reached the pair, who were in good condition, by 3:17 p.m. Ranger St. Claire walked the hikers down and out of the woods to safety by approximately 5 p.m.
Come Back to Huletts
This picture, taken the morning of Wednesday, May 11th, shows how calm the lake was. Spring is starting to heat up, Huletts is waiting for you.