News & Opinion About Huletts Landing, N.Y.
The Huletts Landing cell tower takes shape, as seen from in front of the Post Office. (Click on image to see full scale.)
If you stand in front of the Huletts Landing Post Office, you will see something new along the ridge line, as you look up toward the mountain. That’s right. It’s the new Huletts cell tower. I will have some more on this shortly but here is an image if you haven’t been in Huletts for awhile.
Can you hear me now? Almost.
An emerald ash borer detection box sits at the top of the mountain. (Click to see full screen.)
As I stated in my earlier post about the Emerald Ash Borer (see below), the large purple triangular-shaped objects you see hanging in an area ash trees are important detection tools being used in this effort to see if the Emerald Ash Borer is in the area. These “purple traps” are 24 inches long and covered in glue, and it is important that they not be touched, removed or disturbed. The picture above is one hanging on top of the mountain as you enter Huletts.
Please do not be alarmed if you see them, they do not indicate that the insect is here, they are placed throughout towns in NY to see if the EAB is spreading. So far none have been found locally.
The Emerald Ash Borer has a greenish metallic coat.
Photo credit for above picture: David Cappaert, Michigan State University Bugwood.org
First discovered in New York in 2009, the Emerald Ash Borer threatens the more than 900 million ash trees in Upstate New York and the timber and lumber business that they support. Eighteen counties have been placed in a quarantine zone due to EAB infestations.
The EAB infests and kills North American ash trees, including green, white, black and blue ash. Ash is a common and important forest species. Ash seeds are a food source for birds and mammals and ash is a commercially-valuable species, used for baseball bats, flooring, furniture, lumber, and pallet manufacture.
“There are approximately 800,000 ash trees in the Lake George watershed,” said Kristen Rohne, the watershed educator for the Lake George Association. “We don’t want to find out what would happen to our watershed and our water quality without these trees,” she said. The larval stage of EAB feeds under the bark of trees, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. Infested trees always die within two to four years, even if the trees were healthy before being attacked.
Public involvement is key to detecting the EAB. Most common in June and July, the EAB is very small – just 3/8 to 5/8 inches long with metallic green wing covers. Signs of tree infection include: 1/8″ D-shaped holes in the bark; tree canopy dieback; and serpentine galleries — S-shaped feeding tunnels, often with larvae, just under the bark. Sucker sprouts may grow from the base of the tree.
The EAB is now located in Cattaraugus, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Steuben, Ulster and Greene counties. A quarantine affecting the majority of western New York, as well as Greene and Ulster Counties, is restricting the movement of ash trees, ash products and firewood from all wood species in order to limit the potential introduction of EAB to other areas of the state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, alongside state departments of agriculture, are cooperating partners in an EAB survey effort. The large purple triangular-shaped objects you may see hanging in an area ash trees are important detection tool being used in this effort. These “purple traps” are 24 inches long and covered in glue, and it is important that they not be touched, removed or disturbed.
What Can You Do to Help?
1. Look for signs of infestation and report them immediately by calling the Lake George Association at 518-668-3558.
2. Don’t move firewood. The EAB is commonly transported to new areas on firewood. “Please remember to leave all firewood at home; do not bring it to campgrounds, parks or summer homes,” says Kristen Rohne, the LGA’s watershed educator.
3. Purchase firewood from a local vendor, and ask for a receipt to verify the firewood’s local source. Firewood must remain within 50 miles of its source.
4. Only firewood labeled as meeting New York’s heat-treatment standards to kill pests may be transported further than 50 miles from the firewood’s source.
5. Don’t disturb the purple EAB traps, which you may see hanging from trees this summer.
All trees are important in the ecosystem and logging is important to the local economy. Tree leaves and branches intercept rainfall, reducing its erosive energy and slowing the movement of rain water. Root growth of trees and plant litter improve soil structure and enhance infiltration of rainfall, reducing surface runoff. Trees supply debris to streams, and provide shade to keep the water temperature cool, improving aquatic habitats. Trees even filter contaminants. They keep excess phosphorus and nitrates – found as pollutants in runoff – from entering waters by using them as nutrients for their own growth.
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer is a proponent of maintaining current levels of funding for invasive species research.
Replacing impermeable asphalt with permeable pavers can significantly reduce stormwater runoff problems on steep sites, while enhancing the aesthetics of any landscaping project.
The Lake George Association’s Lake-friendly Living Open House on Saturday, June 4 at the LGA office, 2392 State Rt. 9N, Lake George. It will host over 15 “green technology” exhibitors. Experts in lake-friendly landscaping, permeable pavement, and alternative septic systems will be on hand from 10 am – 2 pm, to share information and advice. The event is free and open to the public.
Who will be exhibiting?
Representatives and installers for:
Permeable pavers and pavement: Belgard, Tehno-Bloc, Unilock and Flexi-pave;
Alternative septic systems: Puraflo, Orenco and Eljen;
And others: Fiddlehead Creek Native Plant Nursery, DeFranco Landscaping, Gould’s Landscaping, Green Planet Products, Chip’s Landscaping, KLC Property Enhancement, Sweeney Company, and Crandall Excavating.
Experts from the LGA, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board will provide information about lake-friendly lawn care, septic system maintenance, and more. Rain barrels and native plants will be available for sale. Free soil pH-testing will be available.
“We are excited that so many regional companies will be on hand for people to meet. We’ll have product representatives, civil engineers, designers, installers and other people who work in green landscaping here to share information and brainstorm solutions for lake-friendly living,” said Emily DeBolt, director of education for the Lake George Association.
For more information contact the LGA at 518-668-3558. In addition, the LGA’s new website has extensive information on the topic. Visit www.lakegeorgeassociation.org and search on “lake-friendly living.”
Adirondack Land Deal Dispute
The Times Union looks at a 65,000 acre land deal.
Glens Falls Man Drowns in Lake George
The Post Star reports on the man who drowned in Lake George on Monday.
NY Post: Education $ Poorly Spent
The NY Post explores how the education establishment wastes money. It also reports that the fine print on the property tax cap is causing one backer to object here.
The Lake George Association is seeking volunteers with boats to aid in the annual stocking of landlocked salmon on Lake George. Stocking will take place on Monday, June 6 at the Green Island Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) dock at 10 am, and on Tuesday, June 7 at the Hague public dock at 10 am. Four volunteer boats are needed for each day. Upon arrival at the dock, each volunteer will receive a big trash can to fill with lake water onboard their boat. Volunteers will then transfer salmon into the trash can from the DEC’s stocking truck. Next, volunteers will drive out into deeper water to release the salmon.
“It is a lot of fun to stock the fish around the Lake. Hard work, but a lot of fun seeing those thousands of 5″ – 7″ salmon with brilliant colors swim away from the boat after being put in the Lake,” says John Schaninger, past president and current member of the Lake George Fishing Alliance.
If you can help with this year’s salmon stocking effort, please contact Emily DeBolt at the Lake George Association at 518-668-3558. For more information about the stocking effort, please visit the Lake George Fishing Alliance website at www.lgfa.org.
Rain Cause Mudslide Into Lake George
The Post Star gives some details about a Hague mudslide.
Big Changes at Fort Ti
The Press Republican tells of some big changes this year at Fort Ticonderoga.
Water Funding Drying Up
The Adirondack Almanack reports on a little known Lake George program in need of funding.
Gaslight Village Demolition Stalls: No Money
Appears as though NY State is late paying grant money in the pipeline, according to the Post Star.
NFL Lockout Leaves Giant’s Albany Training Camp in Jeopardy
The GiantsFootballBlog reports on NFL news impacting Albany.
I received this today and thought people would enjoy it. The Lake George Association has applied for a grant from the Boat US Foundation. They award grants based on a voting system. The voting opened about a week ago and goes for a few more weeks. The more votes Lake George gets, the better the chance the LGA gets the grant for their Clean Boater Program. As of today, the LGA program was in the lead, BUT YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.
Please follow the link below, click “vote now” and then choose the LGA Clean Boat Program:
LGA Lake Steward Monika LaPlante holds samples of three invasive species Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed and zebra mussels. These were pulled off a boat at Norowal Marina during her first day on the job for 2010.
The 2011 Lake Steward Program on Lake George will significantly expand over last year’s level, thanks to new funding provided by the Lake George Park Commission (LGPC).
Lake stewards, posted at several Lake George boat launches throughout the summer, inspect incoming boats for invasive species, remove suspicious specimens, and educate boaters about the threats of invasive species and how to prevent their spread. The Commission’s marine patrol is contacted whenever stewards encounter a boat being launched that has obvious signs of invasive species and is unwilling to be inspected.
Since 2008, the Lake George Association (LGA) has managed training, hiring, supervision and reporting for the Lake Steward Program.
The additional funding provided this year will provide maximum coverage for peak periods and for the launches that receive the highest traffic. The estimated program costs for 2011 are $67,000. $25,000 will be funded through the Lake Champlain Basin program, $35,000 will be provided by the Lake George Park Commission, and the LGA will provide the remaining funds from its Helen V. Froehlich Foundation grant awards.
In 2010, Lake stewards were posted at four launches around Lake George: Norowal Marina, Mossy Point, Hague Town Beach and Rogers Rock. In 2011, two additional launches will be added. Days and hours of coverage will also increase; the goal is to provide seven-day-a-week coverage during the busiest times of the season. Twelve-hour-a-day coverage is the goal for Mossy Point and Norowal, while other sites will receive eight hours per day. Mossy Point and Norowal were chosen for increased coverage due to the high volume of their traffic.
“The Lake George Lake Steward Program is critical to protecting the water quality of Lake George,” said Bruce Young, chair of the Lake George Park Commission. “By visually inspecting boats and trailers, and removing suspicious samples, the LGA stewards help stop the introduction and transport of invasive species between waterbodies throughout the Lake Champlain Basin and the Northeast,” he said.
“While dozens of different aquatic invasive species reside nearby, only four are currently found in Lake George. We aim to keep it that way,” said Emily DeBolt, LGA education director and manager of the Lake Steward Program on Lake George.
In addition to inspection, lake stewards will collect data about lake users and invasive species spread: the species found, number of boats launched, the type of boat, number of people in the boat, the last body of water the boat was in, and the presence of a LGPC decal. This information sheds light on the pathways of invasive species, and helps to identify target areas for early detection and control. A report for the public is prepared at the end of the season.
The program is closely coordinated with similar programs. Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack Watershed Institute collaborate on training, printed materials, and data collection as members of a regional partnership, the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP).
While Lake Stewards primarily cover boat launch sites, they also assist at special events such as the Adirondack Park Invasive Species Awareness Week, and inventory terrestrial invasive species on state-owned islands.
In 2010, Lake Stewards inspected a total of 2,538 boats, and educated boaters about the threats of Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels, curly-leaf pondweed, and the Lake’s most recent invader, the Asian clam. Thirty-six samples of Eurasian watermilfoil were removed during the season. Nine samples of curly-leaf pondweed were found, three samples of zebra mussels, and five of water chestnut, an invasive that is not currently found in Lake George.
The 2010 Lake Steward Program was funded by the Bolton Local Development Corporation, the town of Hague, the town of Ticonderoga, the Lake George Park Commission, the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation, and the NYS Department of State with funds provided under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. The program was originally conceived by the Invasive Species Task Force of the Lake George Watershed Coalition.
They’re Back. After a Year in Limbo, Stream Rules Reimerge
The Times Union reports that the widely opposed Lake George stream regulations are being considered again.
Jimmer Poster Released
KSL reports on Jimmer’s preparation for the business world. Buy his new poster here.
Can Cuomo Deliver Property Tax Cap?
The NY Post thinks the Governor has a challenge in front of him.
You Really Want to Know: Donald Trump’s Hair is Real
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rc2972HNwc
Your first question after reading this headline is probably, “What is Camp Little Notch?” To begin, Camp Little Notch was a former girl scout camp comprised of approximately 2400 acres in West Fort Ann in Washington County. Because it historically was a non-profit enterprise it was exempt from paying property tax. It is approximately 4 miles from Lake George over Buck mountain.
Today I had the opportunity to speak to Ellen Tuzzolo, who is the Interim Executive Director of the “Friends of Camp Little Notch”. This is a group comprised of alumna who once camped there. They have agreed to buy 443 acres of the camp property from the Open Space Institute which recently purchased the property from the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. The Open Space Institute in March sold the other 1,921 acres to New Hampshire based Meadowsend Timber Limited, thus returning those acres to the tax-roll.
“Our immediate goal is to raise $250,000 by July 1st to make our first ‘lease to buy’ payment and to improve the facilities,” said Ms. Tuzzolo. The property that the “Friends” group hopes to purchase encompasses, besides the girl scout camp, a private lake named “Lakes Pond” and an historic iron smelting furnace. “In the late 1800’s this was an area that produced iron and the property has some rich features that we think are quite historical. The smelting furnace is huge and we plan on giving some historical talks about how it was operated.”
“I grew up coming up here,” continued Ms. Tuzzolo. “We really want to create an eco-friendly experience where people can practice living in harmony with their surroundings.”
Ms. Tuzzolo said her group’s goals included youth retreats, and community, not-for-profit and artist activities. “The people who are involved with this project had their lives changed because of this property and we want to see it preserved,” concluded Ms. Tuzzolo.
To make a donation or contact Ms. Tuzzolo, please see the group’s website: http://www.friendsofcln.org/
New laws in the village and town of Lake George make it illegal to apply fertilizer containing phosphorus. Replacing turf with native plants, like those pictured here, benefits not only waterways, but wildlife as well.
With spring here at last, and the snow all but gone, area residents are finally getting outside to start spring yard work. As they do so, the Lake George Association (LGA) is reminding property owners in the Lake George watershed about lake-friendly actions they can take this spring to protect the Lake’s water quality.
“Most importantly, people need to know that it is now illegal to apply phosphorus fertilizer in the village and town of Lake George, and we have more complete information on the new laws here at the LGA,” said Emily DeBolt, director of education. “We generally do not recommend fertilizing at all until the fall, and then, we urge people to use only phosphorus-free fertilizer, no matter where a property is located within the watershed,” she said.
During the spring, property owners can follow these lake-friendly steps to keep the Queen of American Lakes at her best:
1. Minimize paved or impervious surfaces and bare soil areas to keep stormwater runoff under control. Consider installing a rain barrel, permeable pavers, a rain garden or native plants.
Controlling stormwater runoff is a key practice for lake-friendly gardeners. One way to do so is to install a rain barrel like the one pictured above, available for purchase at a discounted price at the Lake George Association.
2. Rake or blow leaves, clippings, winter debris, salt and sand away from paved surfaces, storm sewers, streams and the Lake. Leaves and clippings are loaded with phosphorus. Keep metals, pesticides, pet waste, household cleansers, and automobile fluids from entering the Lake as well.
3. Schedule septic system maintenance, so all will be well when summer visitors arrive.
4. To prevent polluted runoff, do not apply pesticides near wells, driveways, sidewalks and other impervious surfaces, and do not apply pesticides when heavy rains are expected or if the ground is already
saturated or frozen. Always follow the label and only use pesticides to treat an identified problem if absolutely needed. Many times there are other things you can do to avoid the use of these harsh chemicals all-together.
5. Minimize areas of lawn by planting more native plants, which provide benefits for water quality and wildlife. For areas of lawn you wish to keep, take the necessary steps to keep it dense and healthy. A healthy lawn will reduce surface runoff and will filter and purify water before it enters the soil and groundwater. Follow these tips from Dr. Frank Rossi of Cornell Cooperative Extension:
Avoid fertilizing if your lawn looks good, or if you fertilized last fall. Excess fertilizer in the early spring promotes top growth at the expense of root growth.
Weigh how much time, energy and money you want to spend on lawn care with what the lawn’s function will be. A plot of green lawn so the kids can play ball makes sense. Large expanses of turf that exist only to be mowed, probably not.
Grow the right type of grass. (Tall fescues and fine-leaf fescues, not Kentucky blue grass. Tall fescues have deep roots, tolerate shade and tolerate high foot traffic.)
Do not apply fertilizer before Labor Day. Nitrogen is all that grass needs to achieve dense vegetation. (Potassium can lead to an abundance of dandelions.) New recommended concentration levels are lower than before: 3/10 – 5/10 lbs per 1000 square feet. (NOT what the fertilizer bag says.)
Leave legumes, like white clover, in your lawn to add nitrogen, naturally.
For more information about how to create lake-friendly landscapes, or to receive on-site technical support, the public can contact the LGA at 518-668-3558. A Lake-friendly Living Open House, free to the public, will be held at the LGA on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 10 am – 2 pm. In addition, the LGA’s new website has extensive information on the topic. Visit www.lakegeorgeassociation.org and search on “lake-friendly living.”
The Lake George Association (LGA) has issued a comment letter in response to proposed changes in baitfish regulations by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC), urging the agency to maintain the current regulations, without change.
An organization with 125 years of experience in protecting and conserving Lake George, the Lake George Association supports maintaining the current New York State baitfish regulations. “Revising the laws to allow transportation corridors in the state is a mistake, and a disappointing step backwards in our fight to protect New York waters from invasive species,” said Walt Lender, LGA executive director.
“The best defense against invasive species is identifying the pathways of invasion and establishing spread prevention programs to address those pathways. Current regulations address baitfish transport as a major pathway. These laws must remain as strong and enforceable as possible,” said Emily DeBolt, LGA director of education. “Once an invasive species is established, the costs to control it far outweigh any preventative measures,” she said. Currently Lake George is estimating a cost of over $400,000 to combat a new invasive believed to have been in the Lake only two or three years – the Asian clam.
Baitfish are well documented vectors for spreading aquatic invasive species (AIS) from infected to uninfected waters (Litvak and Mandrak 1993; Ludwig and Leitch 1996; Litvak and Mandrak 1999; Goodchild 1999). Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), largemouth bass disease, and spiny waterflea are just a few of the known AIS threats that can move to new waters via the baitfish pathway.
In 2007, New York State (NYS) became a leader in addressing the baitfish pathway by instituting several regulations that control the use of baitfish. Since then, at least three other states, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario, have followed New York’s example and instituted similar regulations. There is wide-spread agreement that if the regulations, as they stand, are followed and properly enforced, the chance is low for VHS and other AIS to spread to waters via the baitfish pathway.
Some people feel that restricting the overland transport of uncertified baitfish places an unfair burden on law-abiding anglers. However, the LGA believes that the DEC’s proposed revisions to current regulations will:
· Make baitfish regulation difficult to enforce in large areas of the state;
· Weaken prevention measures put into place to stop the spread of AIS via the baitfish pathway; and,
· Increase the likelihood of new AIS invasions into the waters of the state.
Said LGA Executive Director Walt Lender:
“New York State has the opportunity to continue to be a national leader in the prevention of aquatic invasive species from entering state waters. The baitfish regulations, in conjunction with several new policies under consideration, including ballast water initiatives, the four-tier invasive species regulatory list, and an aquatic species transport law, represent a powerful shield against further invasion. If the overland transport of baitfish were to be allowed, even in corridors, a huge gap would be created in an otherwise strong prevention strategy.”
LGA’s Mechanical Dredging of Lake George Under Attack
The Adirondack Almanack reports on those opposed to the Mechanical Dredging of delta’s.
Clam Eradication Starts Today
The Lake George Mirror tells us that efforts to eradicate the Asian Clam begin today.
Group to Unveil Plan for Transfer Stations
According to the Post Star, on Tuesday, the Recycling Advisory Board, a nine-member subcommittee, is planning to give recommendations on how to better operate the five county transfer stations. The Post Star also has article talking trash plant prices and the trash plant buyer.
Ever Wonder How Big Everything Is?
Newgrounds.com has a fun slider to demonstrate how big the universe is.