No chemical herbicide will be used in Lake George this summer, but the fate of the Lake George Park Commission’s plan to do so is still up in the air.

A Warren County judge on Monday sided with the Lake George Association and others challenging the park commission’s plan to treat invasive watermilfoil with one of the few EPA-approved aquatic herbicides on the market. The judge granted a preliminary injunction that bars the park commission from using the herbicide until a lawsuit brought by the lake association can be resolved. 

The judge agreed with the association’s lawyer who argued the herbicide plan could be delayed without impacting the current state of the lake, but if the commission was allowed to carry out its plan, any outcome of the lawsuit would be meaningless. Next step in the case: a conference later this month to come up with a briefing schedule.

Last week marked the start of a new legal regime in protecting Adirondack waters from aquatic invasive species. A new law took effect Wednesday that requires boaters attempting to launch in the Adirondack Park or a body of water within 10 miles of the Blue Line to certify that their boat has been cleaned, drained and dried. It also opens the door to expanding boat cleaning stations in and around the park. The stronger requirement aims to minimize the introduction of invasive species that hitch a ride on boats and trailers traveling across the state and broader region.

Gwen Craig reported on the Adirondack Park Agency’s decision last week to reject a boathouse variance that would have allowed a couple with a camp on Spitfire Lake to expand their current boathouse to around 1,400 square feet. They needed room for a third antique boat.

I spent some time last week on a couple of Adirondack lakes, visiting Fish Creek Pond and Garnet Lake on separate reporting trips. During weekdays both lakes were clear and calm with only a handful of kayakers and other boats on the water. Loons were out on both lakes, including a mom sitting on her nest at Garnet Lake, a second loon (dad?) about 50 yards away diving for fish.

ALSO:

• Last year brought record heat, so will this year and probably next year too.

• From the magazine: At some hiking destinations, reservations and permits are seen as a path to protection.

• Beginning June 22, Adirondack Explorer staff will be visiting Stewart’s Shops around the park to hear from people about what they want to see from our coverage. Stop by.

Photo: Garnet Lake in Johnsburg and Thurman last week. Photo by Zachary Matson.

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