The Lake George Park Commission voted today by a margin of 6-2, to use the chemical, ProcellaCOR, on two sites in Lake George this spring as a test for managing Eurasian watermilfoil.
LGPC’s ProcellaCOR Test Advances Past APA
On April 14th, the Adirondack Park Agency, approved a proposal by the Lake George Park Commission, to use the chemical, ProcellaCOR, on two sites in the lake as a test of managing Eurasian watermilfoil.
The Lake George Park Commission will take up the matter at it’s Tuesday, April 26, 2022 meeting. Please address any comments or concerns to the Lake George Park Commission by Tuesday’s meeting.
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 Public Information Session – ProcellaCOR
The Lake George Park Commission will be holding a public information session via teleconference on Friday, April 15th at 3pm regarding its proposal to undertake a demonstration Eurasian watermilfoil control project using the aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR.
The Commission is the NYS agency charged with the long-term protection of Lake George, including management of invasive species. ProcellaCOR is a federal and state approved next-generation aquatic herbicide that has been tremendously successful at controlling milfoil, with no impacts on public health or the environment. The Commission will have state agency and industry experts providing a presentation on this herbicide, followed by Q&A with members of the public who join theteleconference.
To access Friday’s meeting, at 3pm on April 15th, simply go on the Commission’s website; https://lgpc.ny.gov and click the ProcellaCOR link on the homepage
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.
LGPC to Pull Lake George Boat Inspectors from Huletts in 2022, Relocate to Lake Champlain Boat Launch
If you thought you read the headline wrong, you didn’t. I received this letter from the Lake George Park Commission, addressed to all Huletts Landing residents late last week.
To make sure I wasn’t reading the letter wrong, I doubled checked with the LGPC and they will no longer site boat inspectors, who check for invasive species on boats trailered into Huletts to be launched in Lake George, in Huletts Landing. Instead they are relocating their Lake George boat inspectors to the South Bay boat launch on Lake Champlain, as you come over the bridge from Whitehall into Dresden.
Today, the LGPC responded:
“You are correct, the Commission will not have a boat inspection station in Hulett’s Landing in 2022. The equipment will be relocated to the NYS DEC South Bay Launch on NY Route 22, just south of County Route 6. The Commission will be installing signs on both the northbound and southbound lanes of Route 22 and on County Route 6, headed to Hulett’s. There will also be signs at the South Bay launch directing boaters to stop for inspection. The Commission website has already been updated with a Google Maps link for boaters to find the South Bay site. The goal is to reduce the number of boaters who make it to Hulett’s without an inspection.”
So if you have guests or renters who are trailering a boat into Huletts for launching into Lake George this summer, please let them know: a.) they will have to get their boat inspected before they come over the mountain into Huletts, or b.) if they arrive after the inspection station has closed, they will have to haul the boat over the mountain again the next day to get it inspected, for invasive species, before it can be launched into Lake George from Huletts.
LGLC Awarded $3.76 Million Grant for Land Protection in Putnam
The Clark Hollow Bay property as seen from Lake George. (Click image to see larger version.)
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has been awarded $3,762,800 through the New York State Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program. The grant will be used to purchase the 59.6-acre Clark Hollow Bay property in Putnam.
The property is across Lake George from Silver Bay, adjoining more than 1,000 acres on the northeastern shore that the LGLC helped to protect more than 30 years ago. The land includes 2,530 feet of shoreline and 1,300 feet of streams that feed Lake George, as well as steeply forested slopes that would be highly susceptible to erosion if disturbed. Its protection will result in the prevention of previously-approved development that could impact the public drinking supply.
LGLC Conservation Manager Monica Dore said, “In protecting this property we will be closing the gap in shoreline protection of the northeastern region, a total of more than 3 miles of critical land buffer between the lake and its uplands. In addition, creating a contiguous block of forested land supports a wide range of wildlife.”
The Clark Hollow Bay property is also a documented summer habitat of the timber rattlesnake, which is legally protected as a threatened species in New York State.
According to a survey conducted by William S. Brown, Ph.D., and Jed Merrow on the property in 2012, “Clark Hollow Bay provides habitats for thermoregulation and protection, making the preserve a significant refuge in ensuring survival of the species.”
LGLC Board President Mike O’Reilly said, “We could not be more excited by this grant award, as it’s a huge win for water quality protection, and a final step in completing a 30-plus year endeavor in this part of the north basin. Receiving this grant will allow us to continue our energetic efforts to protect the land that protects the lake. We thank the State of New York for considering the purchase of the Clark Hollow Bay land worthy of support under this grant.”
LGLC Interim Executive Director Jeff Brozyna said, “The Clark Hollow Bay Project is the largest undertaking in LGLC history, with a total cost of $5 million. We will use the momentum from this grant to raise the remaining funds needed to complete the purchase in 2022.”
More than $272 million is being awarded to 179 projects to protect and improve water through the WQIP program, according to an announcement made by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul on December 21. Grants were awarded to projects such as land acquisition, municipal wastewater treatment upgrades, and marine habitat restoration.
Governor Hochul said, “Our state’s economic development goals cannot be achieved without clean water for drinking, recreation, and the overall quality of life New Yorkers expect and deserve. These sustained investments in water quality improve the health of our communities while creating economic opportunity through well paying, long lasting jobs.”
Snow on the Shoreline
It snowed yesterday for a few hours. Today the shoreline glistened with snow. (Click image to see larger version.)
Two LGLC Staff Receive Montesi Conservation Award
Sarah Hoffman (left) and Alex Novick were honored Monday, December 13 with the Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award, from the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District. (Click image to see larger view.)
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) is proud to have two staff members as recipients of this year’s Ronald Montesi Citizen Conservation Award, presented by the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District.
LGLC Communications and Outreach Manager Sarah Hoffman, and Land Steward Alex Novick received the award on Monday, December 13 at the WCSWCD office in Warrensburg.
Presenting the award to Hoffman, WCSWCD Senior District Technician Dean Moore said, “Sarah’s relentless passion has her constantly pairing funding opportunities with partner agencies and project locations to benefit the communities we live in. Her work fosters the generosity and passion of an individual who truly loves our great region and seeks out opportunities to preserve the quality of these resources for future generations.”
Presenting the award to Novick, WCSWCD District Manager Jim Lieberum said, “The work that Alex does at the West Brook Conservation Initiative and other LGLC properties is something that should be recognized. It is obvious that he enjoys what he does and he has a wealth of knowledge that exceeds just more than just the environment. He is well deserving of this recognition and we look forward to many future collaborative projects.”
Named after long-time WCSWCD Board Member Ronald Montesi who passed away in 2019, the Award “is provided to individuals who have taken the initiative to improve their environment and developed partnerships in their community. The District is committed to recognizing those people who we have worked with to provide new conservation opportunities and enhance existing programs.
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.”
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.”
Pike Caught Off Huletts
I was forwarded this picture of a northern pike caught off of Huletts this past week. The fisherman who caught it threw it back, so it’s now a little ‘wiser’ and will be harder to catch again. As readers of the site know, I always enjoy and try to post pictures of fish caught in Lake George.
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights
Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Hiker Rescued From Lake George Wild Forest Area
Wilderness Rescue: On May 22 at 12:30 p.m., Washington County 911 contacted DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch advising of a 28-year-old woman from Rensselaer with a non-weight-bearing ankle injury on the trail for Sleeping Beauty Mountain in the Lake George Wild Forest Area. Forest Ranger Lt. Ganswindt and Forest Rangers St. Claire and Baker responded. Once on scene, the hiker was packaged into a litter by Forest Rangers and members of the West Fort Ann and Bay Ridge fire departments, along with Fort Ann EMS. The hiker was transported utilizing the new litter wheel system to an ATV and driven to the trailhead. The injured hiker was then turned over to EMS for transport to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Rope Rescue Training At Prospect Mountain
Rope Rescue Training: On May 20 and 21, Region 5 Forest Rangers participated in their annual rope rescue training at Prospect Mountain. This year’s training focused on low and moderate angle rescues utilizing the new litter wheel system. Forest Rangers spent two days refreshing their skills on setting anchors and patient packaging, as well as building, raising, and lowering systems. The litter wheel system has already been utilized on several rescues this month. All Rangers in the state need to maintain at least operations-level standards set by the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA). Forest Rangers have the additional opportunity to advance to the technician level to further their skill set in rope rescue.