A coalition of Adirondack Park and regional environmental and conservation organizations is calling upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens to support and assist in the creation of a new mandatory boat inspection and decontamination program for Lake George to help protect the lake from further infestations of aquatic invasive species.
“It’s critical for the economy and environment of Lake George that this new control program is created. It’s time for DEC and the governor to heed the calls for help from around the lake and stop blocking this important new program”
The state Lake George Park Commission (LGPC) has statutory authority over boat use on Lake George. It has broad responsibility for the ecological health of Lake George. LGPC commissioners said they would like to move ahead at their meeting at the end of January with forming a mandatory aquatic invasive species boat inspection and decontamination program modeled after the highly successful program for Lake Tahoe.
Aquatic invasive species infestation is one of the major threats facing the ecological health and economy of Lake George and the Adirondack Park, according to officials supporting the program. Such species can rapidly change the ecology of a lake, wetland, stream or river as well as significantly impair and diminish recreational enjoyment.
“One principle of aquatic invasive species management is that prevention is a more successful long-term strategy than direct management. It’s very difficult to eradicate them once established in a water body. It’s far cheaper to focus efforts on interdiction and prevention than direct management” said Neil Woodworth, executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club based in Lake George.
Since 2010, the Lake George community has spent over $2 million to try and control the Asian clam, a rapidly growing and reproducing invasive clam. Two of the most damaging aquatic invasive species are in close proximity to Lake George and Adirondack Park in the Great Lakes and Finger Lakes and a new control program is needed to prevent the spread of these invasives to Lake George, officials said.
“Over 15,000 boats use Lake George each year and over 5,000 transitory boats purchase one-day or one-week permits” said David Gibson. “Aquatic invasive species are principally spread by motor boats. They can attached to boat hulls and trailers, but many species are transported in microscopic juvenile phases in engine water, ballast water, and live wells on boats. A comprehensive control program would dramatically reduce the risk of further detrimental infestations on Lake George.”
“The only true way to protect Lake George from aquatic invasive species is through a comprehensive inspection program. This program needs to be backed up by state law that makes it illegal for a boat owner or launch operator to launch an uninspected boat on Lake George” said Roger Downs, conservation director or the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter.