For more information about the Lake George Waterkeeper.

News and Updates

Lake George Waterkeeper Wins Lawsuit Against the Town of Lake George: The Waterkeeper wins a lawsuit against the Town of Lake George over its approval of the controversial 190-acre Forest Ridge subdivision in the uplands overlooking Lake George. The Judge struck down six lots on 180 acres and any new configuration will need a permit from the APA. See press release. See two press reports in the Post Star and here as well as the Adirondack Almanack and Lake George Mirror.

See video of the April smelt run in Lake George. Click here to view the spawning migration of smelt into stream tributaries to Lake George.

New report released: Download 2008 report from the Waterkeeper's Stream Assessment Project. See press release.

In the summer of 2008, Lake George experienced higher than usual algae blooms.  The Waterkeeper worked with residents around Lake George to document where algae blooms occurred.

The Waterkeeper comments on two proposed General Permits by the Adirondack Park Agency: The APA has proposed permits to expediate projects involving less than 200 sf of non-structural shoreline stabilization and residential subdivision involving wetlands with potential harmful impacts to natural resources. 

The Waterkeeper monitors proposed development projects throughout the Lake George watershed: View our interactive map to access each municipality’s most important projects, including a descriptive narrative and Waterkeeper’s perspective.

TOWN OF BOLTON
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.

Waterkeeper awaiting response from Town of Bolton Zoning Administrator regarding determination of allowed clearing on proposed "driveway" for "Pinnacle" Development - Oberer.

Waterkeeper questions DEC on stormwater for construction of ridgeline development: RE: Jackson.  

PUBLIC HEARING ON KOLLAR SITE PLAN APPLICATION BORDERING HUDDLE BAY WETLANDS - July 16, 2009 6:00PM

Waterkeeper submits comments to Town of Bolton Planning Board regarding Kollar and Mountain Aire Subdivision.

TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE 
TOWN OF LAKE GEORGE PLANNING BOARD DENIES PASSARELLI SEAWALL PROPOSAL!!! 

Waterkeeper questions the Town of Lake Geroge Planning Board approval for the segmented, incomplete application submitted by Lodges at Cresthaven Phase IV - Vojac Inc.  Waterkeeper requested that the ZBA reopen the public hearing for a height variance due to significant changes made to the project since the ZBA closed the public hearing on August 21, 2008.  On Feb 26, 2009 the ZBA approved the height variance, regardless that the Public Hearing was closed prior to the revisions to the application. The fact that the size of the structure (per APA and an allowed 25% expansion of the original motel) may require a variance was never recognized or discussed by the ZBA prior to approval and has not been discussed by the Planning Board during Site Plan Review.

The six variance requests for Lakeshore Lodges were approved by the Town of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals (with a 4 to 1 vote) on November 20, 2008. 

Waterkeeper provides comments to the Town of Lake George Planning Board for Passarelli, General Timber, Lochlea, Blue Lagoon Manor, King Phillips Campground and Resort, LLC, and Habberstad.  Waterkeeper submits comments to the Town of Lake George Zoning Board of Appeals for  Wood and Cohold variances.

Waterkeeper questions why Town of Lake George Zoning Administrator allowed Stewart's construction to start without an approved stormwater management plan, in violation of Planning Board's conditions of approval. Town Zoning Administrator refuses to respond. 

VILLAGE OF LAKE GEORGE 
Waterkeeper submits letter regarding recent Village Planning Board decision to modify conditions of approval to reduce stormwater management for Duffys' Cafe. 

Waterkeeper submits comments for development application and non-compliant "approved" stormwater plan to the Village of Lake George Planning Board for Holly Raj, Inc., corner of Canada Street and Beach Road.

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
___________________________________

FUND for Lake George Annual Meeting to be held on July 10th at 10:00 AM

2009 annual meeting to be held at the Lake George Club in Diamond Point from 10:00 - 2:00 PM. Supporters are welcome. See agenda and invitation.

___________________________________

West Brook
Conservation Initiative

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 here about this capital campaign.

See Winter Update Announcing Two New Gifts totalling $300,000!

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.

This exciting project is the most ambitious environmental effort ever attempted on Lake George! New short video describes the exciting West Brook Conservation Initiative. Learn all about how the transformation of the Gaslight Village and protection of vital upland forests will help Lake George.
See this video on YouTube. Or, stream or download this video directly here. (WMV 44MB)

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 effort is the biggest environmental project ever attempted on Lake George. Read how you can get involved.

Groups begin an advertising campaign that highlights the environmental restoration plans of the West Brook Conservation Initiative.

Read letter from a person who was moved by this exciting restoration project.

The FUND for Lake George clarifies the purpose of this ambitious initiative in a recent Letter to the Editor in the Lake George Mirror. The West Brook Conservation Initiative is an investment in the local economy and environment.

For more information about the FUND for Lake George.

News and Updates

New NYS brook trout record set by angler on an Adirondack lake. 

APA and DEC call for all shoreline landowners who are undertaking property alterations to contact agencies about new shoreline protection rules. See press release and find more information here and still more here. 

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. 

Stream Buffer Regulations Update: Lake George Park Commission releases new Environmental Impact Statement for draft stream buffer rules. Adirondack Explorer pens editorial calling for adoption of new stream buffer rules by the Lake George Park Commission. See related news articles in the Lake George Mirror, Adirondack Explorer and Times Union.

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

The FUND endorses new legislation to improve and strengthen the Adirondack Park Agency Act. This legislative package is designed to promote affordable housing, improve APA project review, and creates a new application fee program to support stronger local planning within Adirondack communities. See map as all Lake George communities would benefit from affordable housing program. See letter to State Senate Finance Committee Chair Carl Kruger. See FUND press release. See press report from the Lake George Mirror.

Lake George Land Conservancy announced a new deal to protect important shoreline and environmental habitat on the east side of Lake George. This deal protects 371 acres and over 1/2 mile of the largest tract of undeveloped shoreline remaining on Lake George. The FUND for Lake George congratulates the excellent work of the Lake George Land Conservancy!

The Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy announced the sale of a conservation easement on 91,000 acres of lands that are part of the historic Finch, Pruyn and Company 161,000-acre land deal. This deal includes lands within the Lake George watershed; see map for lands now subject to a conservation easement and those that will be transferred to the State of New York for addition to the Forest Preserve. See a Fact Sheet about this deal. The FUND congratulates the fine work of the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.  

Stream Buffer Regulation Background: The public comment period for new stream buffer regulations by the Lake George Park Commission has closed; see FUND comments. The 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 press reports from North Country Public Radio and the Post Star. See a new short educational video about the importance of stream buffer regulations for the Lake George watershed. Stream or download this video directly here. 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 enactment of formal stream buffer rules for the Lake George Watershed.

Save the Streams,
Save the Lake!

Stream Buffer Regulations Update: Lake George Park Commission releases new Environmental Impact Statement for draft stream buffer rules. Adirondack Explorer pens editorial calling for adoption of new stream buffer rules by the Lake George Park Commission. See related news articles in the Lake George Mirror, Adirondack Explorer and Times Union.

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.

Read writer Bill Mckibben's latest and gravest on global climate change.

US Supreme Court shoots down Bush Administration mercury pollution rules.

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.

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.