Jean Cooper poses with a bobcat. February 1963. (Click image for large view.)
Stec Bill to Combat Invasive Species Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake) to address and better combat aquatic invasive species statewide has been signed into law by Governor Hochul. Senate bill S5836/Assembly bill A5801 enables town boards to further address and combat invasive aquatic invertebrate species, as they are currently only able to address invasive plants under state law.
“Stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species requires vigilance and providing our communities with the flexibility to take them on,” said Stec. “This bi-partisan legislation Assemblymember Woerner and I sponsored and helped pass provides town boards with the flexibility to control invasive aquatic invertebrate species, such as Asian clams or Zebra mussels, that aren’t covered by current law. I’m pleased that the governor has signed this important quality of life bill into law, which helps to ensure our region is now better equipped to manage aquatic invasive species.”
“Invasive aquatic species cause harm to our environment, health, and recreation economy by negatively effecting the natural habits of fish and wildlife in our beloved lakes,” said Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner. “I am grateful Governor Hochul has signed legislation that better enables our community leaders to reduce their rapid and damaging spread.”
DEC Announces Temporary Closure of South Bay Boat Launch on Lake Champlain for Utility Work
South Bay Boat Launch Closed Sept. 25 – 28
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the temporary closure of South Bay Boat Launch in Whitehall, Washington County, for utility work. The boat launch site will be closed to public use from Sept. 25 to 28 to facilitate new utility wire installation. Users will not be permitted to access this site or the boat ramp during this closure to ensure public safety.
Users may see utility equipment staged at the launch over the course of the next few weeks. Normal public use of the site is allowed during this time, except for the closure period.
Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions
Village of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker experiencing heat exhaustion on the Sleeping Beauty Mountain Trail. Rangers Carabetta and Nahor and local fire and EMS reached the 30-year-old from Saratoga Springs approximately one mile up the trail. The patient was nauseous and dehydrated. Rescuers provided treatment, placed the subject in a litter, and transported her to the trailhead where she was met by an ambulance. Resources were clear at 10:16 p.m.
Please: Never Flush Wipes
All wipes – disinfectant wipes, “flushable” wipes, baby wipes, etc. – belong in the trash, and should never be put down the toilet or drain.
Even “flushable” wipes do not readily dissolve in water like toilet paper. They can get stuck in bends in the pipes or cling to other buildups, causing clogs that lead to sewer backups and/or spills. In Huletts, I have been told that they have gotten stuck in some of the sewer pumps, causing expenses to rise as the pumps have to be removed and unclogged.
This video helps explain.
Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Wildland Fire: On June 12 at approximately 11 a.m., a DEC docking crew noticed a fire on Floating Battery Island. Forest Ranger Donegan and a local fire department responded and quickly contained the fire. No structures or campers were threatened. The cause of the fire was a campfire that had not been properly extinguished. Campers are reminded to use a lot of water and make sure a fire is cold to the touch before leaving it unattended.
Stec Constitutional Amendment Facilitating Camp Gabriels Sale Passes Senate
A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) to facilitate the sale of Camp Gabriels in the Town of Brighton today passed the state Senate. Senate bill S27 would enable the property to be sold or leased while ensuring the funds from the sale go toward forest preserve acquisition in the Adirondack Park. This is third consecutive year Stec’s legislation has passed the Senate.
“Camp Gabriels has laid dormant far too long and it’s had a negative impact on our local economy and quality of life,” Stec said. “If we’re serious about repurposing closed prisons, passing this constitutional amendment removes this financial liability from the state and generate the jobs, revenue and economic activity we’ve needed in Franklin County since Camp Gabriels was closed in 2009.
“In addition to the economic potential of a sale, this amendment ensures we continue forest preservation in the Adirondack Park for years to come,” he continued. “I’m hopeful that the Assembly will also take action this year, so we can get one step closer to bringing this amendment to voters and ensure this site is used to better our region.”
Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On May 2 at 6:50 p.m., Forest Rangers Carabetta and Donegan responded to a call for an injured hiker on the trail to Prospect Mountain. Rangers reached the pair of hikers by 7:30 p.m. and stabilized the ankle of the injured 23-year-old from Latham. Rangers assisted the hikers back to the trailhead and then to their vehicle. The injured subject chose to seek further medical attention on her own. Resources were clear at 8:10 p.m.
Town of Lake George
Warren County
Training: On May 3-5, Forest Ranger Donegan led technical rope rescue operations training at Prospect Mountain. Twenty-eight Rangers took part in the training that included moving “patients” in steep technical terrain.
Technical rope rescue operations training at Prospect Mountain
Rangers Carrabetta, Hamm, and Nahor and Lieutenant Kerr at Prospect Mountain training
Technical rope rescue operations training at Prospect Mountain
Bits of Everything
Recent DEC Forest Ranger Actions
Town of Cambridge
Washington County
Wildland Fire: On April 9 at 4:43 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with a brush fire in the town of Cambridge. Ranger Carabetta responded to the six-acre fire along with multiple local fire departments. At 7:01 p.m., the fire was put into patrol status.
DEC reminds New Yorkers that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14.
Lake George in Spring
Lake George has lost its winter ice and awaits your return.
Palm Sunday, Holy Week Begins
Remember those special family Easter traditions you experienced as a child and as a parent? Easter baskets, egg hunts, family movies, chocolates, the sheer joy of the day!
Is that joy still there? Those family traditions give holy week a special significance for so many of us. Easter’s coinciding with the newness of another spring should awaken gratitude in our hearts! Winter is fading away; the days are getting longer, and we have hope in our hearts.
So don’t forget those traditions, continue them or begin them again. Try even establishing a new one – holy week is here and so are we. The habit of expressing gratitude tends to keep us focused on the good things of life and prevents us from falling prey to negativity.
May this week awake in you those things that give you joy and happiness and may this week bring you renewed hope. Easter will be here soon. Blessings and joy to everyone, whatever your traditions may be.
Spring Begins
The lake on Thursday, March 23, 2023. It was rainy and cold with continued ice cover.
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.