For information about the Lake George Waterkeeper.

News and Updates

Lake George Waterkeeper releases 2009 Smelt Report on the annual spawning migration of smelt in streams throughout the Lake George watershed. See video of the April 2009 smelt run in Lake George. Click here to view the spawning migration of smelt into stream tributaries to Lake George. See Press release and Call for Volunteers.

Lake George Town Board adopts a resolution for a 6 month moratorium on connections to the Caldwell Sewer District. See press report in Post Star.  The Lake George Waterkeeper submitted comment letter and provided public comment at the public hearing.  

Town of Bolton proposes to build a road into Lake George. The Town of Bolton has an application to dredge the delta sediment on Finkle Brook in Lake George.  The project proposes to construct roads in Lake George, place excavation equipment in the lake and use Lake George for dewatering purposes.  See Lake George Waterkeeper comment letter to the Adirondack Park Agency.

The Lake George Waterkeeper contests recent decisions by Town of Lake George Zoning Administrator regarding failure to protect stream corridors (Phoenix) and the Town of Bolton Zoning Administrator regarding the failure to apply the Town Code for excessive clearing on driveways (Oberer). Both appeals have been joined by neighboring impacted residents. Both appeals are being refused to be heard by the Towns!!

Adirondack Almanack puts the spotlight on upland development in the Town of Bolton.

Waterkeeper and FUND release new Lake George FACT SHEETs on the importance of septic system design and management for water quality health of Lake George. See FACT SHEETS about septic system design issues and on local and state regulations for septic systems, on the need for regular septic system maintenance, a list of local area haulers for septic system pump-outs, and information on enhanced design septic systems that remove nutrients.

CHRIS NAVITSKY, Lake George Waterkeeper, presenter and panelist at Westchester County Sustainable Stormwater Workshop December 2, 2009. Read about the full day workshop focusing on Low Impact Development Planning and Design sponsored by the Westchester County Planning Department. See list of panelist for Sustainable Stormwater Workshop.

New educational video released about the Lake George Stream Assessment Project. See new video posted on YouTube about the Lake George Stream Assessment Project. Read a press report about the terrific work of the Waterkeeper Stream Assessment Project as it completes its third field season; 48 streams studied at 65 locations!

FUND and Waterkeeper applaud new zoning ordinance adopted by the Town of Queensbury. This new ordinance includes new design regulations for shoreline properties to protect water quality. This code is a model for all other municipalities around Lake George. See letter to Queensbury Supervisor Dan Stec and press release.

If you suspect an Algae Bloom in Lake George this summer, contact the Waterkeeper to investigate the site. Photographs and algae samples will be taken and identifiied. In the summer of 2008, Lake George experienced higher than usual algae blooms. In 2009, it appears that this trend continues.

The Waterkeeper monitors proposed development projects throughout the Lake George watershed. View our interactive map to access each municipality’s proposed projects that may impact Lake George and its water quality, or click on the "application submissions" below for each town.

TOWN OF BOLTON - Review See overview of applications and submissions to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, including Waterkeeper response and recommendations.

PINNACLE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE!!!! Waterkeeper files appeal to the Town of Bolton Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Town Zoning Administrator's determination to permit excessive clearing on proposed driveway - OBERER

CALL TO ACTION: Make your voice heard as the Town of Bolton revises is zoning ordinance. Get more information on this issue and see a Call to Action on this issue from the Waterkeeper.

Lake George Waterkeeper submits comment letter to Town of Bolton Planning Board regarding Parrotta subdivision proposal.

TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE - Review See overview of applications and submissions to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, including Waterkeeper response and recommendations.

APRIL PUBLIC HEARINGS AT PLANNING BOARD FOR Cresthaven Dredging, Abrantes, Clairview II Subdivision and Suncastle. 

LAKE GEORGE WATERKEEPER February comment letter to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding Koncikowski Subdivision Indivudal SPDES Permit results in need for revised plan to address potential water quality impacts!! See DEC February 2010 letter.

TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE ZONING ADMINSTRATOR ALLOWS DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE WITHIN STREAM CORRIDOR DESPITE DEC DETERMINATION - PHOENIX.

TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE PLANNING BOARD questions whether the soils on the lakeside parcel of the proposed Lake Shore Lodges can infiltrate stormwater.

Lake George Waterkeeper submitts comment letters to the Town of Lake George Planning Board for Cresthave Dredging, Lanfear and Abrantes.

Waterkeeper submits comments to the Town of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals for Wood and Cohold variances.

VILLAGE OF LAKE GEORGE - Review See overview of applications and submissions to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, including Waterkeeper response and recommendations.

Waterkeeper submits letter regarding recent Village Planning Board decision to modify conditions of approval to reduce stormwater management for Duffys’ Cafe.

LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT:
The Waterkeeper launches anew project on Low Impact Development to improve control and management of stormwater around Lake George. Stormwater is considered the greatest long-term threat to the environmental health of Lake George.

DONATE NOW
Help Us Save Lake George

Become our fan

Throughout 2010 the FUND for Lake George and Lake George Waterkeeper will focus on a new Do-It-Yourself Water Quality campaign to bring information about how a variety of land use practices and management techniques can help to stop the downward trend of Lake George water quality. There are many things that families, individuals and property owners all through the Lake George watershed can do to improve the lake's water quality.

See Do-It-Yourself Water Quality Fact Sheets on the threat of stormwater to Lake George, the importance of shoreline buffers, the importance of stream buffers, how to build a rain garden to treat stormwater on your property, the hazards of fertilizer use and pesticide/herbicide use, and vital issues about designing a septic system, maintaining a septic system, a list of local haulers for septic waste, the rules and regulations for building or upgrading a septic system, and the availability of enhanced septic systems to remove nutrients.

See the entire series of
LAKE GEORGE FACT SHEETS

See FACT SHEETS on the Fish of Lake George, including the status of Atlantic landlocked salmon, lake trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, northern pike and rainbow smelt.

See FACT SHEETS on Lake George Water Quality Issues, including salt pollution and the decline in water clarity, algal blooms, the continuous problems with stormwater as well as about the DEAD ZONE that forms each year in the south basin.

See FACT SHEETS on Invasive Species that Threaten Lake George, including aquatic species Eurasian Watermilfoil, Zebra Mussels, Didymo, Alewife, Spiny Water Flea, Northern Snakehead and Hydrilla. See FACT SHEETS on terrestrial invasive species, such as Purple Loosestrife, Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed and Garlic Mustard.

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West Brook
Conservation Initiative

Major New Contributions!

Two Major Gifts Made to the West Brook Conservation Initiative. Lewis and Colleen Golub and J. Buckley Bryan, Jr., each donate $100,000 to this vital effort. FUND for Lake George, Lake George Association, and Lake George Land Conservancy all applaud these gifts and express our gratitude! See BRAVO! from the Post Star.

This exciting project is the most ambitious environmental effort ever attempted on Lake George! New short video describes the exciting West Brook Conservation Initiative. New educational video on the importance of the West Brook Conservation Initiative.

Commit deliberate acts of lake preservation and charity!

West Brook Conservation Initiative is a cornerstone project for the environmental health and future of Lake George. Project on same scale as past efforts to protect Prospect Mountain, save Dome Island, preserve Shelving Rock, and permanently protect the Dunhams Bay wetlands, among other splendid and vital projects. See Summer Update that focuses on an op-ed written about legacy of deliberate acts of preservation and charity that have made the wonderful Lake George experience that we all know and enjoy today. Read more about the West Brook Conservation Initiative; See Winter Update Announcing Two New Gifts totalling $300,000! Please get involved to day!

See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that highlight the importance of this project for the protection of Lake George and highlight fundraising successes to date. We’re over 1/2 way to raising $15 million needed to transform the Gaslight Village site into an environmental park and stormwater treatment facility and protect critical headwaters and scenic upland forest areas.

See new press reports in the Lake George Mirror here and go here for more information about this vital and necessary capital campaign.

Call us at 668-9700 x300 or email us and we’ll send you a package of information about the West Brook Conservation Initiative -- the most exciting project on Lake George! It’s time for you to join with us and help to restore and protect Lake George.

Get involved in this vital project!

Learn all about how the transformation of the Gaslight Village and protection of vital upland forests will help Lake George. The FUND for Lake George, the Lake George Association and the Lake George Land Conservancy are working in partnership to transform the dilapidated Gaslight Village area into an environmental park and protect vulnerable upland headwater areas. This $15 million project is the biggest environmental project ever attempted on Lake George. Read how you can get involved.

Groups advertise to highlights the environmental restoration plans of the West Brook Conservation Initiative.

For more information about the FUND for Lake George.

News and Updates

Lake George Unlikely to Completely Freeze in 2010. This marks the 8th time in the past 20 years the lake has failed to freeze, and just the 11th time since 1908. See Lake George Freeze Chart, 1908-2010. 

New study from the Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smiths College and Adk Action finds environmental problems with heavy salt use on roads during winter months throughout the Adirondack Park. 

Stream buffer rules remain incomplete. The Legislature asked for stream buffer protection rules in 1988 and the Lake George Park Commission has delayed action for 22 years. Draft rules now appear to be tied up in Albany red tape. In 2009, the Lake George Park Commission released new draft rules and a new Environmental Impact Statement for these stream buffer rules. These draft rules are vital to lake protection. For background information, the FUND and the Waterkeeper released a special report Clear Choice: The Need for Stream Buffers in the Lake George Watershed about this issue.

Reports produced on Eurasian Watermilfoil management and control efforts; see Lake George Mirror article. See 2009 Annual Report from Lake George Park Commission and report from the FUND for Lake George's control project. FUND's Eurasian watermilfoil control project removed over 250,000 plants and 21 tons of milfoil from Lake George. See maps of locations treated by the FUND, a news video and a presentation of the FUND's project. Project undertaken in partnerhip with the Lake George Watershed Coalition.

FUND applauds work of Bateaux Below for cleaning up litter in Lake George. See 2009 annual report from Bateaux Below and press report. The FUND makes an annual contribution to support the vital work of Bateaux Below.

FUND for Lake George opposes proposed boathouse regulations issued by the APA; sees no perceptible water quality benefit to Lake George from these rules. See public comment to APA and press release. See background story in the Adirondack Almanack and Post Star press report on Lake George public hearing and Lake George Mirror article. See draft APA regulations. See press report in the Post Star.

The south end of Lake George has frozen! Click on photo above to see beautiful expanse of black ice in Caldwell Bay. Ice fishing season has begun. WRGB News 6 in Albany has put up a cool photo gallery of fun on the ice.

FUND and Waterkeeper release 11 new LAKE GEORGE FACT SHEETS on invasive species that threaten Lake George, including aquatic species Eurasian Watermilfoil, Zebra Mussels, Didymo, Alewife, Spiny Water Flea, Northern Snakehead and Hydrilla. See FACT SHEETS on terrestrial invasive species, such as Purple Loosestrife, Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed and Garlic Mustard. See Post Star blog post.

In a victory for clean waters, the Adirondack Park Agency wins a lawsuit brought by local governments seeking to nullify new rules to protect Adirondack shorelines. The FUND for Lake George and Lake George Waterkeeper support these new rules. See APA News Release about the shoreline regulations.

The FUND completes an environmental retrofit of its office complex to treat all stormwater on-site using pervious pavement and a rain garden. Project eliminates stormwater from exiting the site. See how the pervious pavement area and rain garden were built.

The FUND releases new Lake George e-News issue; click here for October 2009 issue Five. Click here for issues Four, Three, Two and One. Then pass them on to friends and family.

DEAD ZONE has established once again this year in the south basin of Lake George. Dead Zone has been forming each year since mid-1980s. See Press Release and DEAD ZONE Fact Sheet. See press report in the Albany Times Union.

FUND Executive Director authors chapter in new book about the Adirondack Park: The Great Experiment in Conservation: Voices from the Adirondack Park. Listen to North Country Public Radio news report about this book.

See the 2008 FUND for Lake George Annual Report.

FUND for Lake George receives major grant from the Helen V. Froehlich Foundation.

FUND for Lake George honors the Lake George Land Conservancy with its highest environmental award.

FUND and Darrin Fresh Water Institute Launch 30th Year of Continuous Water Quality Monitoring on Lake George. See press release and map of monitoring locations.

FUND and Waterkeeper Support Proposed Legislation to Ban Household Cleaning and Lawn Fertilizer Products with High Concentrations of Phosphorus: Legislation will help protect water quality across New York. State estimates up to 1/3 of phosphorus in municipal sewage treatment plants is from household cleaning products and up to half of phosphorus in stormwater is from lawn fertilizers. See Press Release and Memo of Support. See press report in the Lake George Mirror and editorial and on the Adirondack Almanack.

Save the Streams,
Save the Lake!

Stream Buffer Regulations Delayed: The Lake George Park Commission once again delayed release of final draft stream buffer rules and suporting documents. An anticipated second round of public hearings has not been scheduled. Earlier in the year, the Lake George Park Commission released new draft rules and a new Environmental Impact Statement for these stream buffer rules.

Earlier public hearings were filled with distortions and misconceptions, which the FUND and Waterkeeper attempted to rebut with a Myths & Reality statement. See a FUND guest op-ed in the Times Union highlights the need for adoption of stream buffers regulations by the Lake George Park Commission. See new short video about the importance of stream buffer regulations for the Lake George watershed. Or, see this video on YouTube.

The FUND and Waterkeeper released a special report Clear Choice: The Need for Stream Buffers in the Lake George Watershed about this issue. See letter releasing report to the Park Commission and the public and a press release. The FUND and the Waterkeeper are committed to strengthening the new draft rules during the public hearing process.

Lake Science

The FUND has completed an extensive monitoring program throughout the Lake George watershed for 2008 in partnership with the RPI Darrin Fresh Water Institute. See reports on monitoring for coliform pollution in Lake George for 2006, 2007 and the new report for 2008. See reports for atmospheric deposition analysis for 2007 and 2008. See reports about the presence of the nuisance invasive aquatic plant Eurasian Watermilfoil at stream tributaries entering Lake George for 2006, 2007 and the new report for 2008. Please also see reports on the management of Eurasian Watermilfoil by the Lake George Park Commission for 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The FUND for Lake George contracts with the Darrin Fresh Water Institute for hydro-acoustic survey of Eurasian Watermilfoil for Lake George. See new report on the hydro-acoustic monitoring project from the Darrin Fresh Water Institute.

Other Scientific Research Relevant to Lake George: New study on streams in the western Adirondacks show high acid rain damage and the state now pledges to study streams across the entire Adirondack Park. See a study on air pollution reports on threats to northeast US forests and waters; see Threats from Above: Air Pollution Impacts on Ecosystems and Biodiversity in the Eastern United States.

New reports details the extent of the spread of aquatic invasive species across New York. Report shows the threats of further infestations of invasive species to the waters of Lake George.

See best management practices for control and invasive aquatic plants and learn more about these plants.

Donate Online

The FUND for Lake George depends on supporters like for you for its success in protecting Lake George. To join or make an online contribution click here.

Trustees

New information is posted here for the Board of Trustees of the FUND for Lake George.