Thursday, March 23, 2023

Lake Champlain Management Cooperative Announces Further Stocking Reduction for Lake Trout

dec logoOn March 15, the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Management Cooperative – a working group of fisheries professionals from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service –  announced the decision to further reduce the number of stocked lake trout released annually. This decision was prompted by the continued increase in natural reproduction and the documentation of multiple age classes of wild fish.

A stocking program was established in the 1950s to restore lake trout in Lake Champlain following the loss of native populations due to water quality and habitat changes. Although the lake was stocked with 82,000 fin clipped fish annually, there is little evidence of successful natural reproduction during the first 60 years of this program.

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Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Testing for ‘forever chemicals’

Ice at the old Corinth drinking supply reservoir earlier this winter. Photo by Zachary MatsonThe federal Environmental Protection Agency this morning proposed the first national drinking water standards for the so-called “forever chemicals” that are pervasive in waterways across the country.

The proposed regulation – which is open for public comment and EPA suggested would be finalized by the end of the year – would establish legally-enforceable “maximum contaminant levels” for six types of PFAS.

The rule would require public water systems to monitor the contaminants, report levels to the public and achieve new thresholds for the different chemical types. The proposed rule establishes maximum contaminant levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) of 4 parts per trillion in public drinking supplies. It creates a hazard index for four other chemical types, limiting their levels to less than 1 part per trillion.

The ubiquitous chemicals are found in countless items of everyday life, such as waterproof clothing and toilet paper. Hundreds of millions of Americans are estimated to be exposed to some levels of PFAS in their tap water.

Check out coverage of the proposed rule in the New York Timesthe Washington Post and the Associated Press.

Water conference

In New York City, the United Nations is hosting a global water conference. Known officially as the 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation, the conference aims to refocus efforts to address the numerous challenges to freshwater first outlined at a 1977 UN conference. Participants will serve as a review of goals established to avert international water shortfalls.

This first appeared in Zach’s weekly “Water Line” newsletter. Click here to sign up.

Photo at top: Ice at the old Corinth drinking supply reservoir earlier this winter. Photo by Zachary Matson


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Adirondack Land Trust to Offer Community Input Session on Preliminary Glenview Plan, March 28

“Spring Light,” oil on canvas depicting Glenview’s scenic vista, provided by artist Sandra Hildreth.

Harrietstown, NY — The Adirondack Land Trust is inviting community members to review preliminary designs for possible public access to its Glenview Preserve in Harrietstown. This 238-acre property, off State Route 86 between Saranac Lake and Paul Smiths, is being maintained as a scenic vista and managed for pollinator and wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and maple syrup production.

The draft plan reflects input from neighbors and community members, and now the land trust and Saratoga Associates are hosting an open-house-style work session to provide opportunities for additional input and feedback.

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Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The Wild Center: Free Nature-Based Learning Conference for Teachers, May 20

Free nature-based learning conference for teachers

Tupper Lake, NY – The Wild Center is partnering with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to offer a free conference “Supporting Students in Naturebased Learning” onsite at The Wild Center on Saturday, May 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This conference has a total of 9 different organizations contributing workshops, tools, and information to connect children and education with the great outdoors.  Registration closes May 5 or as seats are filled. Register at this link.


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Rangers locate missing snowmobilers in Inlet, Westport

forest ranger reportTown of Inlet
Hamilton County
Wilderness Search:
On March 17 at 1:25 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing snowmobiler last seen the previous night in the Moose River Plains. Ten Forest Rangers started clearing trails from Cedar River Flow toward Inlet, and from Long Lake and Newcomb toward Indian Lake.

After clearing these trails, Rangers moved on to the Seventh Lake Mountain Trail, working with Inlet and Webb Police. Approximately two and a half miles from the Seventh Lake boat launch, Ranger Miller found footprints and spots in the snow where the subject had sat down.

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

APA-DEC Take A Bold Stand To Deny Reality

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have teamed up to formally interpret an important guideline in the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (Master Plan) that deals with the mileage of roads allowable in Wild Forest areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. This is a high stakes action by these agencies because of the potential to significantly expand the mileage of roads open to motor vehicles in all corners of the Forest Preserve.

There is no greater impact to a wild area than a road. From the fact that motor vehicles travel on roads at high speeds to the fact that roads are conduits for invasive species, the impacts of roads are undeniable. Roads change and fragment forest habitats, impact wildlife travel pathways, and impact streams, rivers, and wetlands that they cross and border. They are also extremely expensive for the DEC to maintain and repair.

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Wild forest roads policy up for public comments

APA logo.

Ray Brook, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency Board, at its March 16, 2023 meeting, authorized a 30-day public comment period to solicit input to help inform the Board’s interpretation of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan’s Wild Forest Basic Guideline No. 4, including a new No Material Increase Alternative #4.

The Agency will accept public comment through close of business on April 17, 2023. All public comments will be shared with the Department of Environmental Conservation, who the Agency works in consultation with on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan implementation.

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Adirondack Artists Guild’s 25th Annual Juried Show to Open March 24

"That Persistent Memory," watercolor painting by Valerie Patterson.

Saranac Lake, NY – The Adirondack Artists Guild will present its 25th annual juried art show from March 24 through April 19. There will be an opening reception on Friday, March 24 from 5 to 7 p.m., with awards announced at 6 p.m. Cash prizes will be given for first, second, and third place, donated by the Adirondack Artists Guild, Guide Boat Realty, and Gear-to-Go Tandems. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the fine art on display, and to talk with the artists.

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023

March fever

When trees in morning March winds sway

it’s different from November’s gray,

those heavy pessimistic skies

which dormancy or death belie.

In March, with Spring’s rebirth in sight,

the treetops stretch toward Life, they fight

off stiffness, Winter’s coat they shed.

From deep below their sap is led

to flow, to course.  How they rejoice –

with dancing limbs their find their voice.

They won’t sleep now – they’re wide awake.

Their thirst for growth with light they’ll slake.

And I, who sit beneath and watch,

as one who might a fever catch,

am caught myself and share their thrill –

Life finds its way, and always will.

 

At top: Butterfly on dandelions. Wikipedia photo.


Monday, March 20, 2023

Tales of the Adirondacks, Past & Present: Winning the Olympic Gold Medal by Charity Marlatt

Bobsledders Alan Washbond and Ivan Brown at the 1936 Olympics.

In the spirit of sharing informational, intriguing, and inspiring stories to help highlight the rich social and cultural history of New York State’s Adirondack Mountains, The Adirondack Almanack will share stories written by those who live, work, and play in the ADK, courtesy of OurStoryBridge/Freedom Story Project. These stories, which will be a combination of current and past events, people, outdoor activities and more, will be published on a weekly basis, starting with today’s first story titled, Winning the Olympic Gold Medal by Charity Marlatt. The stories will focus on various locations situated in the Adirondack region, including the High Peaks, the town of Keene, and many other areas around the Park. Stories are compartmentalized into the following categories, arts & culture, catastrophes, work, people, outdoor activities, daily life, community, and natural & man-made environments. 

 

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Monday, March 20, 2023

DEC announces same-day reservations for all NYS campgrounds

meacham lake campground

On March 16, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced changes to reservations at DEC campgrounds for the upcoming season, including new same-day reservations to help add flexibility and ease to last-minute bookings.

DEC is excited to make some changes and updates to this year’s reservation window for DEC campgrounds,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “While many campers book weeks or months in advance, there continues to be a high demand for last-minute bookings. Adding same-day reservations will allow our customers to check availability and book a reservation on their way to a campground. An additional 17 hours to book a camping stay will ensure sites are available before arriving and prevent anyone from arriving to a full campground.”

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Monday, March 20, 2023

Ethereal: On Ephemeral Photography Webinar set for March 27

Adirondack scene. Photo by Manuel Palacios

The Kelly Adirondack Center at Union College is pleased to announce an Ethereal: On Ephemeral Photography webinar with Manuel Palacios on Monday, March 27 beginning at 7 p.m.

This event is free, open to the public, and available via Zoom only.

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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Stoneflies Are Emerging: A Sure Sign of Spring 

Stonefly Nymph

While enjoying a very spring-like late-winter afternoon beside the Trout River, at my home in northern Franklin County, I found myself greatly appreciating the sunshine and fascinated by the large number of black bugs that seemed to also be enjoying the sun’s long-awaited warmth.

The adult stoneflies were emerging in fairly-large numbers; making their way across the ice and snow and onto the tree trunks along the bank; some finding the half-dozen sap buckets I have hanging there. Unfortunately, several made their way into the sap contained in those pails.

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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Triploid Grass Carp permit applications available from Herkimer County SWCD

Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District logo.

Herkimer County SWCD – If you have a weed problem in your pond, you may want to consider stocking it with Grass Carp. These fish have a tremendous appetite for aquatic vegetation and can be used as a non-chemical agent to control weed growth in ponds, such as hydrilla, milfoil, coontail, elodea, and pondweeds.

The fish that are available for stocking are Triploid Grass Carp, which means they are sterile and cannot produce viable young. This non-native species of fish does not compete with native fish species that you may already have swimming around in your pond. Please note, these fish will not eat species such as cattails, bulrush, or water lilies.

Because Grass Carp are not native to New York and because they have huge appetites, a permit is required from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). The Herkimer County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) starts the permitting process now, with stocking to take place in June 2023. The permitting process conducted by the NYS DEC is free of charge.

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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Weekly news round up

A collection of interesting reads:

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