Top News Story of Huletts: 2009

With so many media outlets declaring their top new stories for 2009, the Huletts Current continues the practice by naming the top story for Huletts Landing during the past year.

The Huletts Current pick for the top story of 2009 was the dredging and removal of the delta that had formed at the mouth of Foster Brook over many years. This major project, which was years in the making, was not only a significant investment in the environment, but was also a commitment to life and the enjoyment of Lake George. We name it “Top Story of Huletts 2009” and congratulate all those who were part of this great undertaking.


Contractor Don Kingsley (red shirt, second from left) stands with his son-in-law, Jeff (far left), son, Don (with yellow shirt), and Randy Rath, Project Manager for the Lake George Association (far right). The Lake George Association, the Town of Dresden and countless concerned citizens worked for many years to make the dredging of Foster Brook a reality.

Huletts had a few big stories this past year. The grand opening of the new and improved Huletts Casino and the Dresden town election were two of the biggest news items in our community. There were other newsworthy items that could be included also. However, the single biggest story was the completion of the dredging of Foster Brook. This project was years in the making, but in 2009 it finally happened.

For many years, erosion and severe storms had formed a delta at the mouth of Foster Brook as it entered Lake George. The project needed numerous permits from various state agencies not only for the work to be done in Lake George but also alongside the banks of Foster Brook. Approximately 3 years ago, work was completed by the Town of Dresden and the Lake George Association on a catch basin in Foster Brook and alongside the stream’s banks. However, the clogged mouth prevented the situation from improving.

Many obstacles were encountered along the way to finally completing the project this year, but they were overcome by the hard-work of many who were also sensitive to preserving and protecting the environment. So to the many true stewards of the environment, including the Lake George Association, the Town of Dresden, and the countless citizens and community members who worked to bring this project to completion in 2009, the Huletts Current recognizes your contribution to the “Landing” by naming the dredging and removal of the delta at the mouth of Foster Brook as the “Top Story of Huletts 2009”. Teamwork and citizen participation won out!

Before

After

Opinion: Huletts Should Consider Fire/Rescue Boat


Bolton’s fire/rescue boat at dock this past summer. Many fire departments around the lake have fire/rescue boats in the event of an emergency.

While it may be winter, here is something to think about. Huletts Landing has numerous miles of shoreline on Lake George, with many waterfront homes difficult to get to. One piece of equipment that would be helpful in the event of a fire on the lake would be our own fire/rescue boat. The number of homes along town’s lakeshore, and the growing needs for water protection for recreational boaters, are the essential reasons why a fire/rescue boat should be considered.

Some of the homes in Huletts are quite difficult to reach by land and in many cases it would be quicker to bring a boat around the lakeside of a house in the event of a fire.

Additionally, unlike the ability for victims to run from a burning building, those fleeing a burning boat can quickly fall victim to drowning and fatigue until they are safely on board a vessel.

The town of Hague purchased a fire/rescue boat last year and while it is certainly an extra precaution, in a town such as ours, it is certainly something worth considering.

Here is a video of a fireboat in action that I found on YouTube.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZsW3IPeQA

Bits of Everything

Who Are The Most Influential People in Adirondack History?

John Warren at the Adirondack Almanack has a great idea for a list.

End of Stimulus Means Schools Must Cut

See how much funding may be lost by the Whitehall school with an end to stimulus funding in the Capitol Confidential blog.

Bolton to Get Started on Wastewater Upgrade

The Post Star reports on how technological advances can clean the environment without taking people’s property rights away.

Bits of Everything

Ground Broken on Bolton Pier

Even though it’s a bit cold outside, work started this week on improving the pier in Bolton Landing. The renovation will include 10 more dock spaces. Read about it in the Post Star.

Why Can’t The Cell Phone Companies All Get Along? (and share a tower)

The Capitol Confidential Blog has a great picture of a cell phone tower that looks like a tree and some great commentary on cell phone towers in the Adirondacks. I agree with the Adirondack Council on this one. There’s no reason why numerous carriers can’t share one pole.

Meeting Matters: Washington County Board of Supervisors

The Post Star reports on garbage stickers, tourism and the Sheriff from the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

Bits of Everything

Boathouse Hearings to be Held

The Adirondack Park Agency is going to hold a series of hearings before revising their boathouse regulations, the Adirondack Almanack reports.

Salt Alternatives to Protect the Environment

This is an interesting piece I ran across regarding alternatives to rock salt from the Mother Nature Network.

This is What Happens When You Overspend

David Paterson announced the budget mess is so bad, he’s withholding 10% of school and local aid, it was reported by the NY Post. Why not start tying school aid to enrollment figures?

Cool Pictures of Lake Champlain Bridge Design Concepts

The NY State Dept of Transportation has released different design concepts for the new Lake Champlain Bridge between Crown Point, NY and Addison, VT.

Bits of Everything

DEC Demands Lake George Village Make Sewage Upgrades

The Adirondack Almanack has a good story about some improvements that will hopefully be made in Lake George Village.

Small Town Vulnerable: USPS loses $3.8 billion for Year as Volume Falls

The Washington Post reports on the problems at the U.S. Postal Service because of falling mail volume. Remember, please buy your postage form the Huletts Post Office.

Have Yourself a Microscopic Christmas: The World’s Smallest Snowman

Just in time with the first snow, Mail Online has pictures of the world’s smallest snowman.

Old Lake Champlain Bridge: Demolition Soon; Public Invited to Safely View ‘Implosion’

Denton Publications Online lets everyone know the meeting schedule today in Ticonderoga where it will be announced what is going on with the Lake Champlain bridge.

One FOIL Request, Many Answers

This post is a follow-up to my post of December 8th, where I documented my Freedom of Information Act Request to the Lake George Park Commission as it applies to Executive Order 17.

After I posted the Lake George Park Commission’s original reply to my FOIL request, I received a second unsolicited response today.

To recap my request, I asked for a copy of the report which was mandated by Executive Order 17 of all state agencies by December 1st:

“On or before December 1, 2009, each state agency shall review its regulations and report to the Secretary to the Governor …… on any proposed changes to regulations which could reduce the impact of existing mandates on local governments and generate property tax relief for New York State property taxpayers.”

The LGPC had originally replied that:

“The report of the Lake George Park Commission to the Secretary to the Governor pursuant to Executive Order No. 17 is not completed and is expected to be available in 21 days.”

Today, Michelle Way, the FOIL officer at the LGPC, provided another answer:

“After I originally replied to your request I realized that Item No. 1 in your request does not exist.”

Perhaps it does not presently exist as the original response alluded to, but one would think that a mandate from the Governor as described in an Executive Order which required a “report” to be submitted by December 1st, would mean that a state agency like the LGPC would be able to generate a report by the “due” date. One would think that an Executive Agency would care about rising property taxes as much as the Governor claims to.

In regards to my second request, Executive Order 17 also requires that any proposed mandate which is offered by a state agency must be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement which estimates the costs to local governments. I also requested the information submitted to the Governor’s office as it pertained to the proposed stream corridor regulations. The Lake George Park Commission originally responded that this information was exempt from being released to the public.

“Information submitted to the Governor’s Secretary in regards to the Stream Corridor Regulations are intra-agency drafts which do not represent a final agency policy or position.”

Today, Ms. Way, provided this answer:

“As for Item No. 2 the documents are being prepared for public disclosure and publication. Access at this time is denied because the documents are currently inter-agency materials which are not final agency policy or determinations. When adopted by the Commission, the documents will be posted on the agency website www.lgpc.state.ny.us.”

One can only wonder how one FOIL request can be met with so many answers and no documents?

Our Webcams Have Doubled

I’m happy to announce that the Huletts Current has now added a second webcam courtesy of Dennis Hudson on Kitchell Bay. So thank you, Dennis for sharing your beautiful view of Lake George from Kitchel Bay.

To see the new live view; click here.

The folks on Kitchel Bay seem to be leading the Landing in innovation because now both of the webcams on the left sidebar originate from there.

So if you have nothing better to do today, feel free to watch a live view of the snowstorm which has already brought about 6 inches of snow to the Landing.

LG Park Commission Slow to Respond to Governor

December 1st was the deadline for all state agencies to comply with Governor Paterson’s Executive Order 17, which among other things, mandated:

“On or before December 1, 2009, each state agency shall review its regulations and report to the Secretary to the Governor …… on any proposed changes to regulations which could reduce the impact of existing mandates on local governments and generate property tax relief for New York State property taxpayers.”

So I made a Freedom of Information Act request to the Lake George Park Commission. Here is their response to my request for this information:

“The report of the Lake George Park Commission to the Secretary to the Governor pursuant to Executive Order No. 17 is not completed and is expected to be available in 21 days.”

Executive Order 17 also requires that any proposed mandate which is offered by a state agency must be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement which estimates the costs to local governments.

I also requested in the same Freedom of Information Act request the information submitted to the Governor’s office as it pertained to the proposed stream corridor regulations. The Lake George Park Commission responded that this information was exempt from being released to the public.

“Information submitted to the Governor’s Secretary in regards to the Stream Corridor Regulations are intra-agency drafts which do not represent a final agency policy or position.”

Interesting.

Bits of Everything

West Brook Project Awarded $2.5 Million

The Village of Lake George has been awarded a $2.5 million by the state Department of Transportation to be used to complete the public park elements of the West Brook Conservation Initiative, Denton Publications reports.

“The park will consist of walking paths, an extension of the Warren County bike trail, restrooms, a children’s play area, fitness trails and interpretive educational areas. The conservation initiatives will dramatically reduce the nutrients and solids reaching the lake that has contributed to a large delta at the foot of West Brook.”

Read the whole piece.

Washington County Taxes: 2008-2010

Nick Reisman at the Wash Blog takes a good look at Washington County taxes from 2008-2010. The Post Star has done a great job covering the tax problems of many local jurisdictions.

Girl Scouts Split over Sale of Camp in Fort Ann

The Albany Times Union reports that the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York want to sell Camp Little Notch, a 2,300-acre Girl Scout camp in Fort Ann. However, another group wants to keep the camp open. The Friends of Camp Little Notch have organized to try to buy the camp. See their website here.

Bits of Everything

Steamship Company to Stop in Bolton

The Adirondack Almanack has an interesting story about the Lake George Steamboat Company resuming service into Bolton Landing.

Supervisors Delay Budget Vote

The Washington County Board of Supervisors is trying to come up with a 2010 budget during difficult fiscal times. Read the Post Star story here.

Stream Rules Postponed Again

Read the press release from the Lake George Park Commission.

“The Zone” Explained

In 1986, Mr. Lawrence Eichler, who nows works for the Darren Freshwater Institute, was credited with discovering an area in the southern part of Lake George which had lower oxygen levels than other areas of the lake during certain times of the summer. (Red area on map above.) This was a new phenomenon starting at that time because even though surveys of the area started in 1980, oxygen depletion was not reported in that area prior to 1986. Since 1986, the area has not grown in size or spread.

Some people have started calling this area the “dead zone”.

In an effort to understand the significance of this area better, I contacted Mr. Eichler directly to learn more. While the term “dead zone” is certainly an attention grabber, the area is certainly not dead.

What makes this issue complex is that during conditions of plentiful oxygen, bacteria consume and break down decaying plant and animal material using aerobic (oxygen-dependent) pathways. However, when oxygen concentrations drop to low levels, anaerobic (a term meaning “without air”) pathways take over and break down decaying material differently.

An important fact in understanding how these processes are intertwined is that some of the nastiest compounds known to man (such as PCBs and PAHs) require both pathways in order to be degraded. As such, the perceived seasonal cycle of aerobic – anaerobic – aerobic pathways, has been shown in many instances to help clean up contaminants.

Mr. Eichler helped me understand this area much better. When asked about the area which is now being referred to as the “dead zone”, he responded to me in an email.

“The so called ‘dead zone’, not named by me by the way, is as the information you unearthed described it. It is an area of the water column near the lake bottom in deep water that becomes depleted of oxygen in late summer just prior to Fall overturn. The term dead zone was coined because fish cannot survive in this area of low oxygen and simply leave. The oxygen depletion is due to bacteria decomposition of organic materials (i.e. dead and dying planktonic algae, leaf debris, etc.) produced in the lake or its watershed. This condition also causes large quantities of phosphorus to be released from the lake bottom with the potential to cause algae blooms.”

“The reason we are concerned is that this condition is more typical of lakes that are more highly enriched than Lake George, and we only observe severe oxygen depletion in the southernmost end of Lake George. Since the lake flows from south to north, as you well know, there is the potential to export the increased nutrient levels from this area northward.”

“Useful anaerobic decompositional processes are occurring in most lake bottom sediments since the majority of lake bottom sediments are anaerobic. It’s just the water column where aerobic processes are generally preferable.”

Phosphorous, which is found in road salt, soap, fertilizer, and sewage is the biggest culprit in causing an oxygen deprived area. Adding phosphorus to the lake is much like adding fertilizer to your lawn except that it will make algae grow in the water instead of making your grass turn green.

The following images should help illustrate this process.


1.) During the spring, sun-heated water runoff creates a barrier, cutting off the deeper water below with oxygen in the air.


2.) Nitrogen and phosphorus from road salt, fertilizer, etc., ignite algae blooms. When the algae die, they sink into the colder water below and decompose, using oxygen up in the deeper water.


3.) Starved for oxygen and cut off from resupply, the deeper water becomes anaerobic. Fish avoid the area but the anaerobic processes start. Winter brings respite with the top waters cooling and merging with the deeper waters but the spring runoff starts the cycle anew.

Sadly, the one contaminant that has almost tripled in Lake George over the last 30 years is road salt. As Mr. Eichler told me in the summer of 2009, salt concentrations have grown from 6 parts per million in 1980 to 16 parts per million in 2008. Instead of working with the towns in the basin to lower road salt applications, the Lake George Park Commission and some elements of the environmental movement are alienating these very towns by pushing the proposed stream stream corridor regulations, which these towns almost universally oppose. These proposed regulations will do nothing to stop municipal road salt runoff into Lake George because they only apply to private individuals and not to municipal or state road crews.

What can we do to see that this problem doesn’t get worse? Well to begin, a number of positive developments are taking place.

1.) The Lake George Association, the Fund for Lake George and Warren County are partnering to create a man-made wetland on the old Gas-Light Village site in Lake George Village to protect the streams flowing through the site which feed this area. The environmental organizations will build the site and the taxpayers of Warren County will be responsible for maintaining it going forward. No property rights have been taken in this project because the property was purchased.

2.) The Department of Transportation has recently made significant improvements to their storm water measures, which the Lake George Association notified us of here.

3.) Additionally, please do not use fertilizer on your yard. Ultimately these chemicals find their way into the lake and are a major source of phosphorous.

4.) Finally, be aware that the Lake George Park Commission’s proposed stream corridor rules will do nothing to prevent road salt from reaching the lake. The proposed rules exempt state and municipal road crews from cutting trenches for road and salt runoff to enter streams. Encourage the Lake George Park Commission to work with town governments in the basin to lessen the use of road salt. Right now the LGPC is alienating towns by their heavy-handed approach. Almost all of the towns in the basin have opposed the proposed stream rules. New technologies and a commitment to lowering road salt will go along way. I believe we should set a goal of bringing the concentration of salt in the lake back to the 1980 level of 6 parts per million. It’s worth noting that this zone only appeared as salt levels went up. Ask candidates running for highway superintendent, what they are doing to lessen the use of road salt.

Finally, don’t let the people who call this the “dead zone” scare you. You now know the facts.

Bits of Everything

Giuliani: No to Governor Run

The NY Post reports that Rudy Giuliani has told friends he won’t run for Governor.

Go Ahead, Plunge

The 2009 Lake George Polar Plunge will be held this weekend. Learn more here.

Decade’s Top Internet Moments

Reuter’s gives the top Internet moments from the last decade.

Bits of Everything

Lake George Land Conservancy Gets Big Gift

The Lake George Land Conservancy was the recipient of a large grant from the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation recently.

Washington County Budget Cuts Protested

A number of people turned out to protest cuts to the Washington County Budget, the Post Star reports. Presently, no cuts have been proposed to the Washington County Beach.