DEC Forest Rangers in the News

Town of Ticonderoga
Essex County

Wilderness Search: On Aug. 26 at 10:10 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers unable to follow the trail down Cook Mountain. Forest Ranger Quinn attempted to talk the hikers back onto the trail, but they lost it again. At 11:20 p.m., Ranger Quinn located the 47-year-old and 11-year-old from Ticonderoga and helped them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 12:15 a.m.

Village of Fort Ann
Washington County

Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 29 at 9:15 p.m., Forest Ranger Donegan responded to a call for a hiker with a lower leg injury approximately one mile up on Buck Mountain. When Ranger Donegan arrived, the 36-year-old from Hudson Falls was unable to walk. Ranger Donegan stabilized the hiker’s leg. Pilot Knob Fire Department drove the subject down on an ATV to a Queensbury ambulance.

Casino & Soda Fountain Labor Day Schedule

Given the shortage in staffing, the Casino will be closed Labor Day weekend.

The Soda Fountain will maintain a normal schedule – opening on Tuesday August 27th and running nightly until out of ice cream. If you really want that last ice cream cone before the end of summer, please come early because supplies are extremely limited.

2024 ‘A Day to Remember’ Results


Participants from the 2024 ‘A Day To Remember’ Race (Click image to see larger version.)

I am late posting this but congratulations to all the participants in the 2024 ‘A Day to Remember’ and many thanks to those who worked so diligently to make the day a success.

2024 Race Results

Men:

12 & under
1. Decker Davidow
2. Asher Yarmel
3. Morie Ferriter

13-30
1. James Mintel*
2. John Keenhan
3. Nick Roig
4. Caelan Webber**
*Denotes First Place Overall Winner Men
** Denotes fourth overall in the race and was in the toughest age category.

31-54
1. Matt Elesio
2. Matt Clark
3. Emmet Ferriter

55+ (Champions)
1. John McNelis
2. Pat Keenan
3. Kevin McNelis

Women:

12 & under
1. Keeley Ferriter
2. Cora Ferriter
3. Claria Yarmel

16-30
1. Lauren Keough *
2. Amanda McNelis
3. Taylor Keough
* Denotes First Place Overall Winner Women.

31-54
1. Gina Yarmel
2. Megan Ferriter
3. Shawna Brazell

55+ (Champions)
1. Christine McNelis
2. Riley Mason
3. Joanne Keenan

Specialty Awards

Youngest Boy – Will Bradway (5 years old)

Youngest Girl – Tily Bradway (3 years old)

Most Experienced – Howie Webber


(Click image to see larger version.)

Golf – Winners (Score of 25)
Emmet Ferriter, Meagan Ferriter, Lindsey Chambers, Jesse Chambers

To those we lost – we will never forget you.
(Click all images to see larger versions.)

Casino & Soda Fountain End of Summer Changes


With many of the summer staff departing for jobs and schools in other parts of the country, there will be some upcoming changes to the Casino & Soda Fountain schedules.

The Casino will NOT be open Friday, August 23rd, or Saturday August 24th.

The Soda Fountain will be closed on Saturday, August 24th but should reopen on Sunday August 25th.

Check this site for updates.

Lake George Land Conservancy Protects 73 Acres in the South Basin


View from Truesdale Hill Uplands

The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) has permanently protected 73 acres of forested land in the Town of Lake George. These scenic uplands contain 1,545 feet of streams, including the headwaters of a tributary that enters into Lake George by residences and businesses that rely on the lake as a source of drinking water.

“We are thrilled to protect this forested ridgeline property that protects Lake George in so many ways,” said LGLC Executive Director Mike Horn, “benefitting water quality, natural habitat, and the scenic backdrop that we all enjoy so much.”

The property is located on Truesdale Hill Road, in the southwest region of the Lake George watershed. The lake’s south basin is facing particularly high development pressure. This region is also especially important for the lake’s water quality. Because these headwaters persist in Lake George for so long, they can have the greatest impact on the water quality of the entire lake.

The protection of these waters, and the land that surrounds them, is therefore a very important conservation priority for the health of the entire Lake George watershed. In acquiring this 73-acre property, the LGLC will provide permanent protection of its steep slopes, healthy forests, and vegetated stream buffers, all of which will further safeguard the water quality of Lake George. This land also provides important wildlife habitat and preserves the scenic beauty of an undeveloped ridgeline that is visible throughout the south basin.

The purchase of these 73 acres was funded in part by The Makowski Trust, and a $641,424 grant received from the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. An additional $115,000 is needed to reach the total estimated purchase price and provide the required match for the grant.

Huletts Landing 8/7 ProcellaCor Info Session

Please come to a presentation at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 7th, at the Huletts Landing Property Owners’ Pavilion. Chris Navitsky, PE (Lake George Waterkeeper), and Brian Mattes (The Jefferson Project) will be presenting the information from the independent water tests (UConn) conducted after the ProcellaCor application. Regardless of your opinion, please stop by the presentation and informed discussion. Knowledge is power! Any questions please contact Patrice at triciect9@gmail.com.

Camping and Day-Use Sites in Narrow Island Group of Lake George Islands Closed Due to Storm Damage


Storm damage on the Narrow Island group of islands from the storm on the evening of July 16th.

Damage to island campsites.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the temporary closure of many camping and day-use sites in the Narrow Island group of Lake George Islands. Due to storm damage in the area occurring on the evening of July 16, many campsites and day-use sites will be closed until further notice while cleanup of trees and repairs to infrastructure and docks takes place. Customers with affected reservations will be notified shorty.


Uprooted island trees.

Sheared off island trees.

Picture credit: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation