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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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Judge Rules Public Hearings Must Precede ProcellaCOR Applications

New York State Supreme Court Justice, Robert Muller, issued a decision and judgement on Friday March 3, 2023 which:

a.) found that the Adirondack Park Agency’s decision to issue permits for the use of the chemical herbicide ProcellaCOR in Lake George without an adjudicatory hearing was arbitrary and capricious.

b.) has vacated the Lake George Park Commission’s April 14, 2022 decision (by a vote of 6-4) to proceed with the application of the chemical herbicide ProcellaCOR in Lake George.

The ruling means that any subsequent APA review of applications to apply ProcellaCOR in Lake George must be preceded by a hearing.

The entire 31-page decision can be read here.

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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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70 Years in Business!

We were honored to be recognized recently by Congresswoman Stefanik from the floor of the House of Representatives for reaching 70 years in business. Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout all the years!

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NY State Senator Stec Sworn in for Second Term


Senator Dan Stec being officially sworn in to his second term. (Click image to see larger version.)

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) was officially sworn in at the state Capitol in Albany this week to his second term as state Senator. In addition, Senator Stec announced he’s been appointed to the following Senate committees:

Environmental Conservation (Ranking Minority Member);
Internet and Technology (Ranking Minority Member);
Education;
Health;
Rules;
State Native American Relations; and
Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.

As a Senator who represents one of the largest and most geographically diverse Senate Districts in the state, Stec is pleased with these committee assignments and looks forward to using his role on them to enhance our communities.

“The committees on which I’m serving have a direct impact on our communities,” said Senator Stec. “From protecting our unique natural resources to improving broadband access and other regionally specific issues, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure state government takes action to improve our quality of life. As this year’s legislative session continues, I’ll keep my constituents up-to-date on my efforts to accomplish that.”

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Stefanik Makes Formal Request for Amtrak’s Timeline to Reopen Adirondack Line

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Gardner formally calling on Amtrak to commit to a timeline for fully reopening the Adirondack line.

“I write to you today again urging Amtrak to publicly commit to a timeline for reopening full rail operations on the Adirondack line. The Adirondack line runs through the 21st Congressional District of New York has been closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. To this point, Amtrak has failed to provide a specific date or details indicating when it will resume service along the Adirondack line. The Adirondack line is a significant economic driver for Upstate New York and the North Country. The continued delays to resume service are causing significant harm to citizens throughout New York State and the North Country, many of whom rely on passenger rail service for critical transportation,” Stefanik wrote. Read the full letter here.

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Notice of the Start of Construction for Segments 1 & 2 of the Champlain Hudson Power Express Project (through Dresden)


The Champlain Hudson Power Express Project will run down route 22 through the Town of Dresden.

On or about November 18, 2022, construction activities for certain parts of Segments 1 and 2 of the Champlain Hudson Power Express Project (“CHPE”) are anticipated to begin. The Construction Zone for Segments 1 and 2 consist of a 17.6-mile overland cable route running from the western shore of Lake Champlain in the Town of Putnam to the Canadian Pacific (“CP”) Railroad right-of-way (“ROW”) in the Village of Whitehall. This underground transmission line segment runs through the Towns of Putnam, Dresden and Whitehall, as well as the Village of Whitehall, via County Route 3, Lake Road, New York State Route 22 and Bellamy Street to the CP Railroad ROW, as shown on the enclosed map. The initial construction work will commence at the Project’s construction laydown area located off of Ryder Road in Whitehall.

On October 13, 2022, the New York State Public Service Commission approved CHPE’s Environmental Management & Construction Plan (“EM&CP”) for Segments 1 and 2 of the Project. Upon receipt of a Notice to Proceed with Construction letter sent by the New York State Department of Public Service’s Office of Electric, Gas and Water, CHPE will be authorized to commence construction activities for the approved Segments.

CHPE has established a toll-free number for questions regarding the Project, including a complaint resolution plan for issues arising during construction: 1-800-991-CHPE (2473).

Questions or requests for further information can be directed to: publicoutreach@chpexpress.com or by mail to Molly Hollister, WSP USA, One Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10119. Facility construction falls under the jurisdiction of the Commission, which is responsible for enforcing compliance with environmental and construction conditions, and which may be contacted through Matthew Smith, Office of Electric, Gas and Water, New York State Department of Public Service, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223, via telephone at (518)474-8702
or email at matthew.smith@dps.ny.gov.

Details of the planned work locations, including construction drawings showing in detail the approved Segments, are available on the Project website at: https://chpexpress.com/overviewof-public-documents/environmental-management-construction-plan/. The full Commission docket for the Project can be accessed via the Commission’s website at:
http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=10-T0139.

Paper copies of the EM&CP for Segments 1 and 2 will be available for viewing at the following local document repositories: Black Watch Memorial Library, 99 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, NY 12883; Whitehall Free Library, 12 Williams Street, Whitehall, NY 12887; Dresden Town Hall, 1 Lillians Way, Clemons, NY 12819; and Putnam Town Hall, 14 Putnam Center Rd, Putnam Station, NY 12861.

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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.

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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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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.

Read the entire 21-page ruling here.

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Comptroller Releases Review of Recently Adopted $220.5 Billion State Budget

The New York state comptroller’s office released its analysis of the recently enacted record-breaking $220.5 billion state budget passed on April 9th. The state’s coffers this year were bolstered by higher-than-expected tax revenues, as well as federal pandemic aid.

While the State’s financial position currently appears strong, sustaining new recurring commitments over a longer time period may be difficult, as new economic risks emerge, federal funds are spent down, and temporary tax revenues sunset. Bolstering reserve funds is essential for ensuring services New Yorkers rely on can be preserved through economic challenges and fiscal uncertainties, and every opportunity should be taken to maximize deposits to the State’s statutory rainy day reserve funds.

The entire report can be read here.

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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.

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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.