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Lake George Association Partners with Friends Point Homeowners Association to Restore Shoreline on Northern End of Lake George

Last month the Lake George Association finished up a demonstration project that was the first of its kind on the shores of Lake George. The Friend’s Point Homeowners’ Association had contacted the LGA about a problem area on their property along the Lake. Due to the clay soils and southern exposure, a section of shoreline approximately 150’ long was eroding into the lake, causing turbidity in the usually clear waters. Concerned about the situation, members of the homeowner’s group reached out to the LGA for help.

“We were really excited to partner with the Friend’s Point homeowners on this project,” said Randy Rath, the LGA’s project manager. ‘They had considered other approaches such as rip-rap – but they were really interested in doing what was best for the Lake. Bio-engineering is not new. But we haven’t seen a lot of it around here just yet. So this is a very important demonstration project for our area,” said Rath.


A view of the Friends Point shoreline before the work commenced. (Click all pictures to see full-scale.)

Bioengineering uses vegetation for shoreline stabilization. Rather than traditional ‘hard’ or ‘structural’ approaches such as concrete walls, bulkheads, or rip-rap, bioengineering approaches typically have lower costs and longer-term benefits to the shoreline and water quality, making these methods a great choice for Lake George. The bank and shoreline are stabilized, and fish and wildlife habitat are also improved. However, more structural type approaches are often chosen because people are more familiar with them. While effective, they tend to be more expensive, need replacement over time, and can have detrimental environmental impacts.


The shoreline being stabilized with native vegetation.

“At the Friends Point location there was significant wave action, so we couldn’t just plant some plants on the shoreline and expect that to hold up to the forces of Mother Nature,” said Rath. “We used a stormwater product called ‘Grow Soxx’ made by the company Filtrexx. Essentially, we recreated a shoreline for the plants to grow on. But we had to be sure that our new shoreline wouldn’t be washed away like the old one. So we anchored it using a geogrid and large duckbill anchors into the ground. Then, once the new shoreline was in place came the fun part, planting it with native vegetation. The hope is that in a few years the shoreline will look natural again. You won’t even know that we were there.”


Lake George Association staff worked to create the shoreline buffer.

In addition to the shoreline work, on the same property there was also a drainage culvert in need of repair. Runoff coming out of the end of a pipe was badly eroding soil out into the lake in addition to the erosion problems right along the shoreline itself. The LGA again worked with a similar material for a solution to this problem as well. The gully being created from the stormwater runoff was graded, and then lined with the ‘Ditch Chexx’. The ‘Ditch Chexx’ were filled with a compost mix and grass seed, which will grow and stabilize the culvert. This should stop any future erosion from this location as well.


The new ‘Ditch Chexx’ culvert.

“We are really pleased with the results of this project so far,” said Rath. “We will go back to the site in the spring to check it and see how it all fared through the winter. We hope to start to do more and more projects using similar bioengineering approaches. It gives us the best bang for our buck in terms of protecting water quality and a healthy lake ecosystem overall, so we hope to get more property owners on board with this type of technique.”

Photos courtesy of the Lake George Association.

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Lake George Association Partners with Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to Install Native Plant Shoreline Buffer


Looking out to Lake George from the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association property in Bolton.

The Lake George Association has partnered with the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association to install a native plant buffer along a section of the association’s shoreline along the Lake. In addition to wanting to buffer the shoreline to help protect the Lake from any potential stormwater runoff in the area, the association is also hoping that the buffer will help keep Canada geese off their property.

“We were very excited to partner with the homeowner’s association on this project. Complaints about Canada geese are nothing new around the Lake. In fact, earlier this summer we partnered with USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services to begin a Canada goose survey of the Lake as a first step in developing a management plan,” said Emily DeBolt, LGA’s Outreach Coordinator. “However, there are steps that property owners can take on their own as well,” said DeBolt.


A view in from the lake.

One such step is maintaining – or re-creating – a more natural shoreline. When geese have a direct line from the Lake to tasty, green grass, it is like an open invitation for them. “We can’t really blame the geese,” said DeBolt. “I know it isn’t what people want to hear, but we have created an ideal scenario for them and they are just obliging.”

Luckily, the homeowners at the Norowal Cabin Owners’ Association listened to what DeBolt had to say. The shoreline buffer installed at the Norowal Homeowner’s Association property will hopefully help with the goose problem come spring. By then, the native perennials installed this fall will be getting established, and will be tall enough to deter the geese, but not so tall as to impede the view of the Lake for the homeowners that use the property. “We were thrilled to work with the LGA staff to make this project happen,’ said Cheryl Lamb, Association member. “We have wanted to address our shoreline area for a while now, but we just weren’t sure where to begin. The LGA’s expertise made it possible. We can’t thank them enough for all their help.”


Native blue flag iris is planted on the left. Invasive yellow iris appears on the right.

Another important part of this project was first removing a large section of yellow iris that had taken hold along the shoreline. Yellow iris is an extremely invasive plant that is found along the shorelines of the Lake. The seeds float, so the water carries them, allowing the plant to pop up anywhere the wind takes it. “What was interesting about this yellow iris was that on the same section of shoreline there was also the native blue flag iris as well just a few feet away. You could really tell the difference between the two in terms of size when they were next to each other like that. We were sure to remove the invasive yellow iris but keep the native blue flag iris as part of the new buffer,” said DeBolt. “We will be sure to monitor the planting next year to see if any bits of yellow iris pop back up as well. We did our best to remove it all, but it is always a good idea to monitor an area for a few years just to make sure you got it all.”

“This buffer had many different components to it that will benefit the Lake. We were able to not only remove invasive species, but also then plant native species to both better stabilize the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide a buffer before stormwater runoff reaches the lake. And as if all that wasn’t enough, it will also discourage geese from using the area,” said DeBolt. “We really wish everyone would consider buffering their shoreline with native plants. It’s not only an investment in your property, but it’s also an investment in the Lake. We can’t think of a better win-win than that.”

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Lake Defenders Goes to the Theatre

Please join the Lake George Association for a screening of the Mountain Lakes PBS documentary Lake Defenders at the Charles R. Wood Theatre on Tuesday October 7, 2014 at 7 pm.

Lake Defenders highlights the programs and partners working around the Lake in the battle against aquatic invasive species. LGA Executive Director Walt Lender will be present to speak about the LGA’s work in protecting Lake George from invasive species and to answer any questions. State Senator Betty Little and Mountain Lakes PBS President and CEO Alice Recore will also speak at the event.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for the event and all proceeds will go to benefit the Lake George Association.

For those who would like to watch this documentary online, it is posted below.

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LGLC Announces Completed Conservation Projects, Changes Ahead

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has had a banner year so far, and anticipates more to come before its end. In the past nine months, LGLC has protected 462 acres of Lake George watershed lands through partnerships, purchases, donations and conservation easements, and is working on plans to protect over 750 acres in the near future.

Land conservation projects have been completed in five towns around Lake George, including Bolton, Hague, Putnam, Fort Ann, and the Town of Lake George. The projects protect in-tact forests, wetlands, rocky slopes and ridges, and streams, as well as important wildlife habitat.

In addition to its direct conservation work, LGLC also achieved land trust accreditation in August from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. This distinction signifies LGLC’s commitment to meeting national standards for excellence, as a transparent, efficient, and trustworthy organization.

All of this also comes as the organization prepares for a change in leadership. Executive Director Nancy Williams will retire this fall, and LGLC’s Board of Directors hope to have a new executive director in place by January of 2015.

“My retirement is bittersweet,” said Williams. “My spirit will always be here at Lake George, and in the memories of some of our greatest projects: working with an unlikely partner to protect the Padanarum lands; discovering the resident bobcat at the Last Great Shoreline and using that (and unfortunate leg traps set for the area’s beavers) as inspiration for the development of Lake George’s first managed wildlife refuge; and the summer that I worked alongside our stewards to create the Friendship Garden at Peggy’s Point. Most of all I will miss the people who made these projects possible.”

“When I began my service as board president,” reflected LGLC Board President John Macionis, “the first major task on my plate was to conduct a search to find a new executive director. That search brought Nancy to the Lake George Land Conservancy. During my tenure, if there was one thing I think I did right it was hiring Nancy. Even if that were the only thing I did right, it would still have made all the difference. Nancy has been an extraordinary leader. She combines extensive land acquisition experience with engineering knowledge, fund-raising skills, and great personal warmth in a way that has won the respect and admiration of the lake community. Replacing her will be quite a challenge!”

Completed Projects in 2014:

Putnam – Last Great Shoreline

More than 30 people took part in a celebration at the Hague Community Center on June 13th, marking the end to a five-year fund-raising campaign and giving thanks to the 400+ people who contributed to the protection of the Last Great Shoreline in Putnam. The 351-acre property, which includes Jumping Rock and is located directly across the lake from Hague, was purchased in 2009 for $4 million. The final mortgage payment was made February 27, 2014.

“This land is the heart of the Lake George Wildlife Refuge,” said Williams. “Its protection would not have been possible without the support of the Rowan family, who provided a loan for the purchase, and the many individuals who contributed over the past five years. In addition to the lands providing important water quality protection with its ponds and wetland system, the Refuge has amazing potential for economic development in the area through geo-tourism, as an educational resource, and for the protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat.”

An essential linkage between the Last Great Shoreline property and LGLC’s Gull Bay Preserve to its south was achieved through a purchase of 3 acres in April. A through-trail has since been created and the whole trail system of nearly 6 miles is now open to the public. The trail system also includes access from the water, thanks to a new dock that was installed in July.

The LA Group, a landscape architecture and planning firm out of Saratoga Springs, partnered with LGLC this summer to assist in the development of a master plan for the wildlife refuge, providing guidance on land conservation goals, educational tools, and public access. The LA Group is contributing their expertise at no cost.

Fort Ann – Donation

David Van Hart of Pilot Knob donated 63 acres in Fort Ann to LGLC in June of 2014. Located off of Ridge Road (Route 9L) just south of Pilot Knob Road, the property serves as a southern anchor for the greater Pilot Knob ridge area, which is of conservation interest to LGLC as Lake George watershed lands and its visible slopes and ridges.

The forested property includes streams, wetlands, and ledges that are visible from Lake George and provide clear views of Dunham Bay Marsh and French Mountain. Though not currently open to the public, LGLC hopes to connect this land to its popular Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob less than 1.5 miles to the north.

Hague – Purchase

LGLC recently completed an amazingly successful fund-raising campaign for the purchase of 120 acres in the Sabbath Day Point-Silver Bay area from the Terzian family. In just three months, nearly $90,000 has been raised by neighbors and others who wished to see this land protected and available for public use. LGLC will purchase the land for $75,000 and use the additional funds to cover legal fees and stewardship projects.

The property is adjacent to uplands owned by New York State and the Silver Bay YMCA. Its purchase by LGLC ensures the protection of a Lake George tributary, and will provide public access to beautiful forests and ridges. In partnership with Silver Bay, LGLC hopes to create a marked trail system from Route 9N to connect with Silver Bay’s existing trails and scenic lookouts.

Lake George – Donation

The owner of a 175-acre Lake George property known as Matty’s Mountain has agreed to donate the land to LGLC, completing the protection of the headwaters of West Brook in the south end of Lake George. The property is bordered by LGLC’s Berry Pond Preserve on three sides, making it an ideal addition to the preserve, and already includes trails used by the local snowmobile club.

LGLC purchased the adjacent 1,400-acre Berry Pond Preserve in 2008 for $2.654 million with the understanding that, as a land of interest to New York State, it would be sold and added to the Lake George Wild Forest. A contract with the State has been completed and its sale for $1.724 million is now anticipated by the end of 2014. LGLC also anticipates selling the Matty’s Mountain piece to New York State in the future to be added to the Berry Pond lands.

Bolton – Easement Donation

A brilliant partnership between a landowner, a town and a land trust has resulted in the protection of an 84-acre property within the Edgecomb Pond watershed, the drinking water source for the Town of Bolton. LGLC Advisory Board Member Rebecca Smith purchased the forested property with the intention to donate a conservation easement to LGLC and then sell the protected land to the Town at a greatly reduced price. Closing on the transaction is set for September 16, 2014.

Since nearly all of the land’s water runs directly into Edgecomb Pond, its protection means the safeguarding of the Town’s drinking water. The property also adjoins New York State’s Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserve, and will provide additional public recreational resources and protected wildlife habitat.

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Lake George Land Conservancy Earns National Recognition


South-facing view over Lake George from Cook Mountain in Ticonderoga taken during the Lake George Land Conservancy’s signature annual event, the Hike-A-Thon. Cook Mountain was LGLC’s first land donation and public preserve. Photo copyright Carl Heilman, II/Wild Visions, Inc.

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has achieved land trust accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

“LGLC’s accredited status demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation that benefits the entire Lake George community,” says LGLC Executive Director Nancy Williams. “Our land trust is a stronger organization today having gone through the rigorous accreditation program.”

LGLC is a non-profit land trust based out of Bolton Landing, NY. Since 1988 LGLC has worked with willing landowners and other partners to protect the world-renowned water quality of Lake George and to permanently preserve the natural, scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Lake George region. Since its inception, LGLC’s land protection program has worked directly and with partners to permanently protect nearly 9,500 acres of Lake George wilderness and 6.5 miles of lake shoreline, and manages nine parks and preserves that are open to the public year-round with nearly 25 miles of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and at some preserves, hunting and snowmobiling.

One of LGLC’s current projects includes the development of a management plan for its wildlife refuge in the northeastern region of Lake George. The refuge includes extensive wetlands and forested wildlife habitat, and provides important watershed protection, a trail system for public access, and educational resources for community groups and the general public.

LGLC was awarded accreditation this August and is one of only 280 land trusts from across the country that has been awarded accreditation since the fall of 2008. Accredited land trusts are authorized to display a seal indicating to the public that they meet national standards for excellence, uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. The seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation.

“This round of accreditation decisions represents another significant milestone for the accreditation program; the 280 accredited land trusts account for over half of the 20,645,165 acres currently owned in fee or protected by a conservation easement held by a land trust,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “Accreditation provides the public with an assurance that, at the time of accreditation, land trusts meet high standards for quality and that the results of their conservation work are permanent.”

Each accredited land trust submitted extensive documentation and underwent a rigorous review. “Through accreditation land trusts conduct important planning and make their operations more efficient and strategic,” said Van Ryn. “Accredited organizations have engaged and trained citizen conservation leaders and improved systems for ensuring that their conservation work is permanent.”

According to the Land Trust Alliance, conserving land helps ensure clean air and drinking water; safe, healthy food; scenic landscapes and views; recreational places; and habitat for the diversity of life on earth. In addition to health and food benefits, conserving land increases property values near greenbelts, saves tax dollars by encouraging more efficient development, and reduces the need for expensive water filtration facilities. Across the country, local citizens and communities have come together to form more than 1,700 land trusts to save the places they love. Community leaders in land trusts throughout the country have worked with willing landowners to save over 47 million acres of farms, forests, parks and places people care about, including land transferred to public agencies and protected via other means. Strong, well-managed land trusts provide local communities with effective champions and caretakers of their critical land resources, and safeguard the land through the generations.

“We are proud to display the accreditation seal,” said Williams, “as recognition of LGLC’s efforts to be a transparent, efficient, and trustworthy organization.”

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LGA Nuisance Canada Geese Lakewide Survey


Canadian geese are a growing problem on Lake George. (Photo – Lake George Association.)

Nuisance resident Canada geese are a growing problem on the Lake for private properties and the Lake’s water quality. Just 1 goose can produce about 1 lb of droppings per day! Droppings contain bacteria and nutrients including phosphorus, both of which can impact water quality. Unfortunately, there often isn’t much that can be done to help homeowners with the problem other than suggest a shoreline buffer or some other goose deterrent ideas.

However, the Lake George Association hasn’t given up on addressing this issue over the years – and are happy to be able to tell you that now they are working with USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services staff to conduct a lake-wide survey of the Canada Goose population on Lake George this month. A census of the current population is the first step in moving forward with a lake-wide management plan.

It is a big lake – so the LGA needs your help! They know that some areas on the lake are prone to more goose problems than others. If you know of an area (like your front lawn) where the geese are constantly hanging out – they would like to know about it. This info will greatly help them get a more accurate picture of the goose population on the Lake during their survey.

The LGA would like to know:
1. where you see the geese (address and description from the water would be good since we will be on a boat to conduct the survey),
2. about how many geese are in the flock,
3.and how frequently they are there (are they always in the same place every day – do they have a daily routine?, etc) .

Please email this info to Emily at edebolt@lakegeorgeassociation.org or call the office at 518-668-3558 by Monday August 18th.

See the DEC handout on geese here.

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Calling All Artists: For Donations of Art

The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing is having an art auction later this month and needs some art to auction. The actual auction and reception will be held Saturday August 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at eh Huletts Library & Gallery.

Works will be on display the prior week from August 15th. Artist gets 60% and the FHHL gets 40%.

Contact: Tom Keating 499-2365.

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An Artist at Work


Artist, Natalie Casement paints the scene in front of her while relaxing on the beach.

(Click image to see full-scale.)

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LGLC Receives Gift of Land


The Lake George Land Conservancy has recently received a donation of land from Mr. David VanHart of Pilot Knob. (Photo courtesy of LGLC)

The LGLC has recently received a donation of land from Mr. David VanHart of Pilot Knob. In addition to his donation, Mr. VanHart has agreed to provide an annual contribution towards the cost of stewardship. Mr. VanHart has donated 63 acres in Fort Ann, with viewsheds of the Dunham’s Bay Marsh and French Mountain.

The property also contains wooded wetlands and a stream that is a tributary of Lake George. The land is accessible by two ROW’s from State Route 9L. Access to the property is currently not open to the public, however a private viewing of the land can be granted view request from the LGLC office.

The VanHart property is a critical component in the LGLC’s goal of protecting the entire Pilot Knob ridge-line for view shed and watershed protection. The LGLC’s long-term goal is to connect it to the Schumann Preserve at Pilot Knob.

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Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Legislation Headed to the Governor’s Office


Legislation authorizing the DEC to develop regulations to have boaters make sure their boat is clean, drained, and dry is heading to Governor Cuomo.

Late last week, legislation passed in both houses right at the close of this year’s session that will help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) across the state. The LGA, along with many other organizations working to protect NYS lakes, are extremely pleased with this critical step forward in protecting New York’s waterways.

“The passage of a statewide aquatic invasive species transport bill to address spread prevention is great news. We have been advocating for such a bill for a number of years now since 2011 when I testified in front of the Assembly’s Environmental Committee as to the extent of the problems and associated costs that AIS are causing for Lake George,” said Walt Lender, the LGA’s Executive Director.

On Friday June 20th the State Senate gave final legislative approval to legislation sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats). The legislation (S.7851-B/A.9619-B) was approved the day before by the state Assembly, where it was sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton (D/WF- 125th District) of Ithaca.

It will now be delivered to the governor to be signed into law. The legislation requires the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to develop rules and regulations for boaters to take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as removing all visible plants and animals from, or washing, draining and drying both motorized and non-motorized watercraft and related gear when entering and leaving a launch site.

“We look forward to working with the DEC to develop the regulations to carry through this legislation, just as we have with the other piece of recent legislation passed in 2012 that focuses on banning the sale of invasives statewide,” said Emily DeBolt, the LGA’s outreach coordinator. “Now, with these two important pieces of legislation, it’s all finally starting to fall into place and a comprehensive, state-wide program to address the sale and transport of invasives is getting underway. The more we can work to shut down the pathways that are moving these species around the state and prevent their spread, the better,” said Emily DeBolt, the LGA’s Outreach Coordinator.