The Lake George Park Commission has released the 2017 Boat Inspection report for Lake George. It’s a very interesting read with numbers of boats inspected as well as types of invasive species caught before they could enter the lake. (Click the image above to read the entire report.)
LGLC Conserves Land on East Brook, Protecting Water Quality
East Brook, one of Lake George’s ten largest tributaries, flows through a property recently protected by the LGLC in the Town of Lake George. Photo Credit: LGLC (Click to see full-scale.)
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has protected sensitive property in the Town of Lake George along the main branch of East Brook, one of the top ten tributaries of Lake George. The 12-acre property contains over 500 feet of stream corridor and riparian area as well as several acres of wetlands that help to naturally protect water quality.
Located on the west side of Bloody Pond Rd, the heavily wooded property abuts Lake George Elementary School land. Some of the land was zoned as High Density Residential and the topography would have allowed up to five homes right on East Brook. Although the LGLC is not anti-development, the protection of this sensitive land for the benefit of water quality made it a high conservation priority.
There is clear evidence of soil erosion from storm water coming off of I-87 and neighboring roadways. The LGLC is partnering with Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to assess the property and define steps that can be taken to improve the condition of the stream and reduce further erosion.
“The 12 acre property the that the Lake George Land Conservancy recently purchased is an interesting piece,” explained Jim Lieberum, district manager of the Warren County SWCD, “as it has both the main stem and a tributary located on it. The property is heavily forested and has some impressive hemlock, white pine, ash and sugar maples scattered throughout. Walking the site reveals that there have been impacts to the streams and their channels as eroding banks and collapsed trees are found in various sections of the streams. I believe that some maintenance of the site is plausible to stabilize the affected sections, but a review upstream of the areas is warranted to ensure what is done will be lasting and compliments the conservation efforts on this parcel.”
The property was owned by the McPhillips family, who desired to see the land protected. They generously agreed to sell the land to the LGLC below the property’s appraised value through what’s called a bargain sale.
“We are so grateful to the McPhillips family,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown, “both for their generosity in selling the land to us through a bargain sale as well as their conservation ethic and wonderful stewardship of this land over the years. This is a model conservation project—we had a generous and willing landowner, an important conservation property, enthusiastic and excited supporters, and a really exciting game plan as to what we will be doing with the property in the future, which is bringing people onto the land to understand why it was important to protect, the role that it plays in protecting the lake, and just to get them out and see a beautiful spot.”
Bits of Everything
WCAX TV – Lake George Patrol Officers to be Armed Next Year
That’s right. They’ll be carrying guns now.
The Adirondack Explorer: Grant to Help Salt Runoff and Invasives in Lake George Basin
With the cold, comes salt and it’s harmful effect on the environment. Now a grant seeks to combat this.
NY Post: Snowy Owls being Tracked as they Head South
They have been seen in Huletts. Learn more here.
North Country Public Radio: 50-55 Below Zero Possible on Some Adirondack Summits this Week
No fooling around with cold this cold.
LGLC Receives $50k for Pilot Knob Restoration and Enhancement
Visitors relax at the gazebo on the Lake George Land Conservancy’s Schumann Preserve for Pilot Knob in Fort Ann. View of Lake George is west toward Bolton and north up Lake George.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has been awarded a $40,000 from the New York State Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) and a $10,000 grant from the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust for a comprehensive Trail Reconstruction and Enhancement Project at the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob in Fort Ann.
In total, more than $123,000 has been raised through grants and individual donors to complete the massive project, which includes an expanded parking area (completed this summer), the re-routing of the preserve’s trails and the installation of features that will result in less erosion from storm water, and a safer pathway for users. The LGLC has contracted with Tahawus Trails to design and complete the trail work. The Pilot Knob Project also includes the creation and installation of a new kiosk and trail-side educational signage to better promote the land’s ecological and conservation values.
The LGLC’s Pilot Knob Project is one of more than 1,000 projects across the state to receive $755 million in awards through the seventh round of the REDC competition, which was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo on December 13.
The Capital Region Economic Development Council, whose coverage area includes Lake George, received $85 million supporting 110 projects that support economic growth. The LGLC grant comes through the Recreational Trails Program, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“Outdoor experiential recreation and education is proven to increase local economies,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown, “boost health and provide a positive impact for all involved, including the hiker, tourist, local business and local community. The work to be done at Pilot Knob will boost and improve the user experience by providing additional trail amenities, which in turn, will provide economic benefits to the surrounding towns.”
The grant from the Solomon Charitable Trust will fund the purchase of six educational signage panels and stands, as well as a sustainable kiosk at the head of the trail. This signage will present informative, relevant and useful information to visitors of all ages in regards to the Preserve, the plants and animals present, as well as the role of land conservation in protecting the water quality of Lake George.
All of these improvements will reflect positively on the Preserve and in turn will raise visibility of the LGLC and the importance of land protection and proper stewardship throughout the area and the Adirondack Park.
Preserve improvements like this newly expanded and improved parking area are part of an overall reconstruction project for the LGLC’s Schumann Preserve for Pilot Knob in Fort Ann.
In addition to these latest grants, the LGLC also received $40,000 for the Pilot Knob Project from the New York State Smart Growth grants awarded in August, and $33,600 from private donors.
“We are very excited to see so much support for this iconic Preserve,” said Brown. “The Preserve’s location and relatively short hike with a beautiful view of the lake makes it very popular, and these grants will allow us to make sure the trails stay safe and environmentally sustainable for many years to come.”
Named in honor of LGLC’s past executive director, Lynn LaMontagne Schumann, who was instrumental in its preservation, the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob is a 223-acre preserve on Pilot Knob Road. Protected by the LGLC in 2000, the popular Preserve now hosts over 4,000 visitors each year, which is not sustainable with the existing trails.
An Aerial View on ‘Black Friday’
An aerial view of Huletts, taken on Thanksgiving day, November 23, 2017. (Click to see full-scale.)
While you are hopefully enjoying “Black Friday”, preferably from in front of a computer screen, here is an aerial view of the Landing, taken from above Burgess Island. (Many thanks to Liam Ballantyne for the photo.)
LGLC Receives Grant from TNC, Dome Island Committee
Dome Island as seen from Bolton Landing.
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has received a grant of $10,000 from The Nature Conservancy via its Dome Island Endowment, in support of the stewardship of Dome Island and other lands in the Lake George watershed.
The Nature Conservancy’s Dome Island Committee meets several times a year to review projects funded by past grants and advise future spending. Funds are sourced from an endowment that was created before John Apperson donated the 16-acre Dome Island in Bolton to The Nature Conservancy in 1956. John Apperson challenged The Nature Conservancy and the Lake George community to raise a $20,000 endowment to support stewardship of the property, which was to be protected in perpetuity.
The people of Lake George responded to this challenge and the endowment has grown over the years to allow for the distribution of generous grants each year for research, stewardship and conservation initiatives on Dome Island and within the watershed. To date, the Committee has granted more than $100,000 to the LGLC, for stewardship of the land that protects the lake, and for specific conservation projects that have significant impact on the water quality.
“We are once again honored to have the support of the Dome Island Committee members and The Nature Conservancy, which oversees the endowment,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown. “John Apperson would be proud to know his donation of Dome Island has resulted in a huge impact on the health of Lake George, for Dome Island and beyond. We thank the Committee for their continued partnership in our efforts to protect the land that protects the lake.”
Bits of Everything
Whitehall Times: Local Vendor May Quit because of ‘Honor System’ Decline
The Whitehall Times reports on a local produce vendor who is about to throw in the towel because of thievery.
Spectrum News Rochester (Article & Video): Golisano Withholding Tax Payment Because of Geese Problem
What do you do when the you have a really bad geese problem? Here is his response.
The Sun Newspapers: New ‘Text Stop’ on 87
New Northway “Text Stop” profiled in the Sun Newspapers.
LGLC Receives International Paper Foundation Grant, Local Donation
The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) received a grant of $2,000 from the International Paper Foundation for the creation of interpretive signage to be installed at its Cook Mountain Preserve in Ticonderoga.
The signage is part of the LGLC’s watershed-wide effort to increase awareness and educational opportunities along its 35-miles of trails. The Cook Mountain signs will include information such as the natural succession of a beaver pond and the cultural history of northern Lake George.
The Cook Mountain Preserve’s trail system includes a scenic viewpoint overlooking northern Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the mountains of Vermont. The ridgeline visible on the lake’s eastern side includes Mount Defiance, a historic site owned by Fort Ticonderoga. The entire area surrounding Mount Defiance has important historic significance that will be described on the new signage.
“We are grateful for the continued support from our friends at International Paper,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown, “Partnerships like this help the LGLC to increase the positive impact of our land on the community beyond the obvious benefit of protecting water quality. Thanks to IP, visitors to our Cook Mountain Preserve will now learn more about the land, why it’s protected, and be even more motivated to get out and enjoy the outdoors.”
The LGLC also received a donation of paper, valued at $455, from the International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill, used for the printing of its fall/winter newsletter.
“International Paper, through its corporate Foundation and locally, has been a generous and solid partner over the years,” said LGLC Communications and Outreach Manager Sarah Hoffman. “The local mill has shown great support of our efforts in the Ticonderoga area, for conservation, volunteerism, and educational efforts that enhance the northern Lake George communities. We are grateful for their donations of paper and support of our grant applications for the continuation of these efforts.”
Rescue on Black Mountain
A state helicopter lands on Black Mountain on Sunday, October 8th, rescuing an injured hiker.
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, the Huletts Landing EMS responded to a mutual aid request from Dresden at 4:24 PM. A male hiker had fallen on the Black Mountain trail about 300 yards from the summit and broke his leg. A group from our fire company responded, including Jim Leghorn and Bill Clough climbing up the mountain to rescue the hiker.
The approximate area of the hiker’s fall.
A forest ranger helicopter made a difficult landing at the summit and then transported the patient to the Glens Falls Hospital. Jim, Bill, several Dresden firemen, and a State Trooper are to be commended for making the difficult climb up the mountain to perform the rescue, then hiking back down in the darkness while carrying a heavy stretcher and supplies.
Many thanks to the brave men and women who serve us in Huletts Landing.
(Click images to see full-scale.)
LGA Beach Water Testing Update
The Lake George Association emailed an e-news update this past week that contained the following news:
(While still) waiting for the formal documents to be delivered, but ahead of this long Labor Day weekend, the Lake George Association wanted to pass along that the fourth round of E coli testing at six beaches around Lake George has, again, turned up no problems for recreational uses, based on the New York state Department of Health’s monitoring guidelines.
The beaches were tested on Wednesday, Aug. 30.These tests, performed by LGA Water Quality Specialist Dr. Jeremy Farrell, were separate from the testing regimen set up by each of the towns for its own beach.
Beaches tested included:
Bolton’s Veterans Park Beach
Hague Town Beach
Ticonderoga Public Beach
Gull Bay Beach
Huletts Park Beach
Fort Ann Beach.As has been previously reported, Usher Park beach in the Town of Lake George and Shepard Park beach in the Village of Lake George are already monitored regularly, and previous reports noted they were below the threshold.
Original Art
An original watercolor painting by Mark Malmgren.(Click image for larger view.)
LGLC Elects O’Reilly as Board President
LGLC’s new President of the Board, Michael O’Reilly
During its Annual Meeting on August 19, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) announced the appointment of Michael O’Reilly as its new President of the Board of Directors. O’Reilly is taking over the role from past President of 11 years, John J. Macionis.
O’Reilly joined the LGLC Board of Directors in January of 2010, and served as Treasurer since August of 2011, and Vice President of Finance since August 2012.
“We are pleased to welcome Mike as our new president,” said LGLC Executive Director Jamie Brown. “Mike has a true passion about protecting the land that protects the lake. His quiet leadership really inspires others to come together to make a lasting, positive impact on Lake George. I look forward to his leading our Board as the organization continues to make a difference in the Lake George watershed.”
O’Reilly’s love affair with Lake George started over 60 years ago on brief family vacation. While his father went to Saratoga, his mother, being a very good sport, spent several 3-4 hour stints with her 10 year old son in a rented 12 foot aluminum boat with a 5 horse outboard. He was hooked with the beauty of the mountains and clarity of the water. That led to camping on the islands, first with friends and then with his new bride, Marie, spending five days (four in the rain) on an island. Over many years their two daughters and now grandchildren have been fascinated with this unique place, and fully support the Lake George Land Conservancy’s mission of “protecting the land that protects the lake.”
O’Reilly is retired Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of the Chubb Corporation. He started a 39-year career in 1969 at Chubb as an analyst in the Investment Department becoming Chief Investment Officer in 1986. While at Chubb he served in many capacities, including the founding of Harbor Point, a Bermuda reinsurance company. Following retirement from Chubb, O’Reilly remained Vice Chairman of Harbor Point eventually becoming Chairman. Harbor Point and Max Capital merged in 2010 to form Alterra Capital Holdings with O’Reilly as its Chairman. He remains actively involved in the insurance and financial services business. He currently is a director of the Markel Corporation, joining its board in 2013 after the purchase of Alterra.
O’Reilly served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1967 and in the Army Reserves from 1968 to 1971, retiring with the rank of Captain. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and an MBA from Pace University. He is Chairman of the Board of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation and Trustee Emeritus of Pace University.
Outgoing president, John Macionis, took on the leadership role in January of 2006, just one year after joining the LGLC Board of Directors. During his tenure, the LGLC protected 3,828 acres of land and 4,225 feet of lake shoreline, through 10 donations and 18 purchases totaling more than $9 million. Macionis also took on the role of auctioneer for the LGLC’s annual benefit dinner and auction event. Over his ten years as auctioneer, the event’s auction and Fund-A-Need programs alone grew from raising $6,500 to $135,000 in a single evening.
“John’s leadership and passion for the protection of Lake George has been invaluable to the organization,” said Brown. “He cares deeply for the lake and always speaks eloquently of his connection to this place. We are grateful for the leadership, vision, and inspiration that he provided to the LGLC during his time as Board President.”
Apperson Brown Lecture a Success
Ellen Apperson Brown, spoke about her new book, John Apperson’s Lake George, in front of a good-sized crowd on Wednesday for the Friends of Historic Huletts Landing summer lecture series.
She spoke in-depth about John Apperson’s many accomplishments including:
1. Rip-rapping shores of islands including getting a bond issue passed for for $10,000 in 1917
2. Removing illegal squatters from state islands
3. Promoting camping and other forms of recreation at Lake George
4. Taking photographs; Giving talks with slides; publishing pamphlets
5. Making friends… including FDR, Al Smith, George Foster Peabody, etc.
6. Blowing the Whistle…Making enemies…including Robert Moses
7. Giving talks to civic organizations
8. Joining organizations…and forming new ones, including the Lake George Protective Association and the New York Forest Preserve Association
9. Developing neighborhood associations (in Huddle Bay and Turtle Bay)
10. Protecting, and eventually purchasing, Dome Island ( 1939); then donating it to the Nature Conservancy (1956)
Many thanks to Ms. Apperson Brown for taking the time to visit Huletts Landing and share the important historical and environmental accomplishments of her great uncle.
Weds August 9th: Ellen Apperson Brown Speaks About New Book
The cover of John Apperson’s Lake George by Ellen Apperson Brown.
The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing summer lecture series continues on Wednesday August 9th at the Mountain Grove Memorial Church at 7:30 pm. Ellen Apperson Brown will speak about her new book, John Apperson’s Lake George.
To learn more about John Apperson, please refer to my earlier post here.