About Adirondack Explorer

The Adirondack Explorer is a nonprofit magazine covering the Adirondack Park's environment, recreation and communities.

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  1. Richard Brummel says

    The state needs to give citizens more rights to sue to hold environmnental agencies accountable. Some research informed me that only a handful of states give citizens those rights, I think New Jersey is one. But giving citizens ‘standing’ plus the right to legal fees would change this regulatory trickiness. Reading the chairman of the Commission describing conservation as old-fashioned just shows how hopeless reform is. As the APA shows, legal scrutiny — independent review — is a necessary check on these agencies. Beyond that we must change the greed and gluttony paradigm — which LG unfortunately represents too. Way too.

  2. Robert VanHise says

    Lake George is in a downward spiral, with water quality issues that local property owners ignore & invasive species problems. The failure of local authorities to pursue power boaters who harass paddlers is also a major cause of concern. In 2011, there were at least 2 incidents where boaters purposely swamped canoes or kayaks, resulting in one drowning with no arrests, or even much of an attempt to track down the person who caused the death. Another case involved the accidental death of a kayaker who was run over by a negligent boater. Lake George authorities refused to prosecute or take any action whatsoever against the careless boat operator. The negligent boater got away without so much as a fine, while the widow of the paddler buried her husband. The reasons to stay away from Lake George are ever-increasing; until positive actions are taken by local authorities, I advise all paddlers to stay away from that troubled area.

  3. Joe says

    I agree 1,000% with Robt VanHise….far too many reckless cowboys from NYC or NJ in their powerboats who think that the ADKS are party central, with no regard for others. They are criminals, nothing more, nothing less.

  4. John B says

    Landowners that have streams need to be motivated to comply with this program. As it currently stands, they are simply losing their property rights. Nobody wishes to be a “loser.” What is needed is a positive incentive. I say, if the property owner is in full compliance, verified by a yearly inspection, give them 50% off their property tax. The government agencies that want this implemented need to find the resources to cover these costs.

    • Judson Witham says

      SO when I worked for MANY MANY of the Lake Side Builders and watched all the Septic Systems installed for YEARS … That BED ROCK CONDITION Plays what in the scenario of SEWAGE LEACHATE DRAINING to the Lake ?

      FACT IS SIMPLE …. The BROWN FIELDS OF LAKE GEORGE are the Primary Issue and the BANKERS who got wealthy from developing and selling, FINANCING and INSURING all those Lake Front SHACKS …. They did what to protect the Lake ? See https://laymanslaw.home.blog/lake-george-the-damned-truth/

  5. AG Gabriels III says

    Recently the Adirondack Explorer, has reported on the decline of lake George pointing to shoreline and upland development and the lack of adequate land use controls by the Lake George Park Commission.

    The water is still clean, pure, drinkable, still oligotrophic or meso-oligotrophic and rated as AA Special. There may be “impaired streams” but I remember the discussions when designation was applied for to qualify for grants for delta dredging. After 20 years of no dredging, perhaps the wrong decision was made because of the negative public perceptions applied to the whole lake as variously asserted in public discussions.

    The Lake may not be quite as pristine as when Sir William Johnson found it with his army of 3,100 men in 1755 or the era of the grand hotels or Millionaires Row, but the modern tourist industry beginning after WWII provides recreational respite for increasing numbers of residents and visitors and is still one of the cleanest and clearest in the State, if not the nation.

    During this time, the water quality has remained relatively stable due to the concern of the property owners , environmental groups and local municipal leadership. Property owners and business owners recognize that it is the water quality which keeps the local economy going during the summer and shoulder seasons and protects the property investments.

    In 1995, Mormon et al [Ecological Modeling] performed a cluster and principal component analysis of the 13 years of data collected courtesy of the FUND for Lake George. “Results of cluster analysis do not show a consistent pattern of temporal change in the concentration of TP and chl a, suggesting substantial increase in nutrient availability and primary productivity have not occurred”. There were distinct differences in water chemistry between the southern and northern basin however. The water clarity depth has remained remarkably stable at least by scientific measurement as has the total phosphorus levels of the main lake. with historical trending increased clarity from south to north.

    Chlorides, on the other hand, showed the only long term temporal pattern of increasing concentration during those years and will no doubt continue when the next long term analysis is publicized. Unfortunately road salt is a “necessary evil” of our modern mobile society and any changes will only be made at the margin. This expected report should perform a similar cluster /principal component analysis for comparison of the trends in water quality rather than on single chemical variables.

    The present concern with stormwater runoff is exacerbated by the historical placement of the early dirt roads close to existing streambeds with little room remaining in the public right-of-way for modern retrofitting devices. The historical lack of awareness for our modern environmental concerns is just a problem our community needs to deal with as best we can. The recent restoration or created wetland of the West Brook/Gaslight Village project is a significant step in the proper direction. Early estimates were a reduction of 85% of the nutrient loading from that major southern watershed. Predictions have not yet been attempted whether or when this project may have a positive impact on the “dead zone” found in the lat summer and fall in the Caldwell basin, but it certainly can only be a ameliorative step.

    The most pressing immediate concern is the control of the present four invasive aquatic species and the prevention of future of invasive aquatic species. These are expensive efforts which have unfortunately significantly drawn down available local resources and finances. Financing one specific control effort entails a more limited investment in controlling other projects.

    Can we as a community do better? Yes, but these efforts require resources and concern and the basin community has demonstrated it can and will make the necessary investments. A return the Lake to the conditions experienced by Maj. Roberts Rangers should not be the ecological standard. Until abrupt changes in water chemistry are determined, radical action is not necessary by either the LGPC or local governments. Situations like the recent Asian Clam infestation in 2010 demonstrate the ability of all parties to respond to real threats. Such responses require ecological awareness, scientific basis and the desire to leave a positive legacy for future generations to enjoy this “Queen of American Lakes”.

  6. Kelly says

    Several Points.

    Log bay day; that First Monday in July when thousands descend on Log Bay armed with many more thousands of beer bottles and well working kidneys. But no public facilities. Ask the State of New York board of health why the numbers have to get as high as 5000 attendees before they will clssify it as an illegal gathering.

    Write to Betty Little to shut down Log Bay day unless you like what they are up to out there. Nasty.

    Bolton Landing road/driveway construction. Apparently, yo can build a very steep road but call it a driveway. No matter if in 15 years it washes down into Indian Brook and we pay Kingsley out of the tax rolls to dredge the brook. Bad code or bad code interpretation. And it wasn’t just one late developer who came up with these kinds of projects, but i suppose it depends on what your last name is?

    • Judson Witham says

      Lets discuss the BROWN FIELDS all around Lake George.

      Log Bay Day is NOTHING Compared to the THOUSANDS of Septic Systems all around the Lake. My Family originally built the Harris Bay Marina THE SWAMP / EAST SHORES HARBOUR. Back in the 1960s We would SEAL or PLUG the HEAD DISCHARGE PORTS on Every Boat We Launched ( We Drank The Lake Water ). Suffice it to say LAKE GEORGE WATER QUALITY has been sacrificed for PROFITS to the New York Banks. OH and FLUSHING The Lake and the Ticonderoga Sewers has been going on for DECADES. The LGPC, FUND for Lake George, LGA and NYS DEC have been FLUSHING The Lake Fore Decades. Imagine IF Lake Champlain was FLUSHED to Lake George …. the Millionaires from the BANKS would FLIP OUT HUH. https://theadirondacksconspiracy.wordpress.com/flushing-the-crap-of-lake-george-ny-to-champlain-that-giant-flushing-sound/

  7. Judson Witham says

    I was raised on Harris Bay and growing up I became intimately knowledgeable of Lake Side and Upland SEPTIC TANK CONSTRUCTION. I have over the years worked for the MOST PRESTIGIOUS Land Owners and Bankers that constructed these BROWN FIELDS. TOM WEST is an old Family Friend and YES I can name plenty of Names INCLUDING the Glens Falls Banks and YES The Glens Falls Insurance Company.

    For a FULLER Grasp on what the REAL HISTORY REVEALS … enjoy the work of THE SON OF THE SWAMP FOX and remember the WITHAMS know the Lake Issues as well as ANY. https://laymanslaw.home.blog/lake-george-the-damned-truth/

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