The Lake George Park Commission recently released their responses to public comments regarding the aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement here.
Lake George to be Monitored by IBM Supercomputer
An unprecedented project to turn New York’s Lake George into the “smartest lake in the world” is being launched and will monitor the lake from its sun-dappled shores to its dark depths in hopes of keeping the Adirondack attraction pristine.
Hat Tip to Kathy McNelis for the link.
Spruce Mountain Views
A picture from Spruce Mountain looking south across the lake. Huletts Landing is on the left.
Huletts Current reader, Sam Knaus, emailed me these pictures from a hike he took up Spruce Mountain earlier this week. While Black Mountain is perhaps better known, Spruce Mountain also offers some spectacular views of Lake George. Sam hiked up with his two young sons, who when asked what the best part of the hike was, answered in unison: “the views!”
Many thanks to Sam for submitting these spectacular shots.
Another view from Spruce Mountain showing Deer’s Leap across the lake.
Click on each image to see a slightly larger view.
Rain, Rain, Go Away….
If you’re anywhere where the sun is shining, enjoy it, because it’s been nothing but rain in Huletts.
Upcoming LGLC Round the Lake Challenge Events
Jabe Pond Hike and Paddle Friday, June 7; 10 am – 3 pm Jabe Pond Rd., Hague Trip leader David Thomas-Train will guide you on an exploration of the shoreline trail, the islands, a woods road and Little Jabe Pond. Canoe or kayak required; ~1 mile R-T, easy hike. RTL Mission #9 |
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Roger’s Rock Monday, June 10; 9:30 am – 12 pm Roger’s Rock State Campground, Hague Join us to hike the wooded trail to the top of the legendary Roger’s Rock. 2.5 miles R-T; moderately challenging, some steep rocky sections. $10 day-use fee. RTL Mission #12 |
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Gull Bay Exploration Saturday, June 15; 9 am – 1 pm Gull Bay Preserve, Putnam Visit our Gull Bay Preserve with hike guide and naturalist Nancy Scarzello. Moderately easy trails, one steep, rocky section. 2.5 miles round-trip. |
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Fifth Peak, Tongue Mountain Sunday, June 16; 9 am – 2 pm Clay Meadow parking area, Rt. 9N, Bolton Join trip leader Ed Sheridan to hike to the lean-to at Tongue Mt’s Fifth Peak summit. Fantastic views of Lake George. 5 miles R-T; moderately challenging, some steep and rocky sections. RTL Mission #7 |
Weekend Quote
“It’s the worst Memorial Day weekend weather I have ever seen in Huletts.”
Huletts resident on this weekend’s windy, cold, rainy, weather.
Dam Cleaned
Many thanks to the members of the Huletts Landing Property Owners Civic Association and Jay Vanderplaat for completing the clean-out of the old-hotel dam this past week. The last time the dam was cleaned out was many years ago.
Sand, sediment and stones had built up along one side.
Work was done with the DEC’s approval, in an environmentally friendly way.
When completed, the sand and gravel had been removed.
The access point was covered when the job was completed.
Many thanks to all those who made this environmentally-needed project a success. The dam is located on private property and is not open to the public.
Public Hearings Set For Lake George Invasive Species Prevention Plan
The Lake George Park Commission has released its Draft Invasive Species Prevention Plan, and is holding two public hearings to receive public comments. The first hearing will be on Tuesday, May 21 at 2PM at the Fort William Henry Conference Center in Lake George, and the second will be on Wednesday, June 12 at 6PM at the Best Western in Ticonderoga. “This has been a very open and significant effort over the past 18 months, and we look forward to the public’s comments on our draft Plan” notes LGPC Chairman Bruce Young. “These public hearings offer great opportunities for everyone to voice their opinion on this important topic, and these hearings will help shape the Commission’s decisions on how to proceed forward.”
The Draft Plan presents alternatives to keeping new invasive species out of Lake George, and focuses on the impacts that boats coming from other waterbodies can have on Lake George. Options for prevention include a voluntary program of boat launch stewards and public education, a self-certification program for boaters, and a mandatory inspection program for trailered boats prior to launch into Lake George. Each alternative is discussed in the Plan identifies the likely cost of that option, how it could be put in place, and what the impact to the boating public on Lake George would be.
The public comment period on the Plan is now open, and will remain so until June 25th. The Plan is available for review at the LGPC website, at www.lgpc.state.ny.us.
New York State Announces Agreement to Purchase Two Parcels in Whitehall
The State of New York recently announced an agreement to purchase two parcels in Whitehall. The Saddles, a 2,540 acre property on Lake Champlain’s South Bay, and Spruce Point, a 726 acre parcel between the Lake Champlain and Lake George basins.
Governor Cuomo and DEC Commissioner Martens recently announced the planned acquisition of 69,000 acres throughout the Adirondacks. This planned acquisition will be the largest single addition to the Adirondack Forest Preserve in more than a century. Two of the parcels to be acquired, while outside the Adirondack blue line, are in Whitehall.
The Saddles on Lake Champlain. Looking East toward Whitehall. (Photo Credit: Alan Cedarstrom. Click image to see full-scale.)
The first local parcel is referred to as the Saddles, a 2,540 acre parcel acquired by the Nature Conservancy in 2007 with the intent that it would be sold to the state. As one heads over the South Bay bridge toward Whitehall, the Saddles can be seen in the distance. The tract features cliffs and more than 2,250 feet of undeveloped shoreline on Lake Champlain’s South Bay. The land includes streams, marshes, swamps and floodplain forests that encompass the lowlands of South Bay. The tract includes areas where the Eastern timber rattlesnake and peregrine falcon reside.
The second 726 acre parcel is referred to as Spruce Point or Dolph Pond. As you leave Whitehall, heading south toward Fort Ann, you can see the ridges on top of this parcel. Presently it is under exclusive lease through September 30, 2013 but will be open to the public in October 2013. The property features interesting ridges, a variety of forest types, including Appalachian oak hickory and hemlock northern hardwood, and provides habitat for black bear, white tail deer and other wildlife.
My post would not be complete without thanking Emily DeSantis, Director of Public Information for the Dept. of Environmental Conservation who helped me compile the information for this story.
Washington & Essex Counties Join Anti-Invasive Fight
Both Washington and Essex counties recently announced decisions to prevent the spread of invasive species into Lake George.
Washington County will hold a public hearing on May 17th at 10:05 am in the Fort Edward county center to solicit public input on a proposed county-wide invasive species ban. Under the ordinance, it would be illegal to launch a boat that has any invasive species visible to the eye on any part of the boat.
An Essex County committee passed a resolution at their April meeting in support of a Warren county resolution calling for a ban on the transportation of invasive species. The Essex County Attorney will start working on a local Essex County law that would do the same.
Special Announcement: Cat and Thomas Mountains are now part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve
DEC Commissioner Joe Martens announces New York’s purchase of the 1,882-acre Cat and Thomas Mountains from the Lake George Land Conservancy. (Sarah Hoffman Photo.)
During a press conference held this morning at the top of Prospect Mountain in Lake George, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced the State’s purchase of the 1,882-acre Cat and Thomas Mountains from the Lake George Land Conservancy.
The preserve has also grown by 862 acres, by merging with adjacent State lands (including some recently purchased from The Nature Conservancy), to a total of 2,744 acres.
The Lake George Land Conservancy will remain the stewards of the Cat and Thomas trails through DEC’s Trail Cooperative Agreement program.
All of the money from the sale of Cat and Thomas will be applied towards paying down debt from the Last Great Shoreline, purchased in 2009 for $4 million. Fund-raising efforts continue, however, since once this payment is made, LGLC will still owe $300,000 on the land. The Last Great Shoreline in Putnam, with the Gull Bay Preserve to its south, is the heart of what will become the lake’s first managed wildlife refuge. To be part of this effort, please contact LGLC’s Executive Director Nancy Williams at 518-644-9673 or email nwilliams@lglc.org.
Ice and Wind Means Dock Damage
The recent combination of floating ice chunks and southeast wind has caused many docks that face south to be damaged.
Over the last few days, as the ice has melted, there have been a few windy days. The blowing wind has pushed six-inch thick chunks up against the shoreline and docks in their path. This has resulted in damage to many docks facing south. Here is a picture, taken this afternoon, of what the ice and wind can do.
Ice Report
The ice is still on the portion of the lake between the Narrows and Bluff Head, but it has darkened and is starting to break up – a little wind today – tomorrow is supposed to be warmer so my guess is that it will be out by April 10th but it could go a few days either way.