New York state has acquired the Berry Pond
Preserve in Warren County, which was attained
to protect water quality in Lake George and its
tributaries.
The state purchased the 1,436-acre property
from the Lake George Land Conservancy with
$1.7 million from the Environmental Protection
Fund.
“By purchasing this land, the state is stepping
up to protect the health and vitality of Lake
George and the surrounding communities,” Gov.
Andrew Cuomo said. “The Berry Pond Preserve
is an integral part of both the local ecosystem
and the region’s economy, and we will ensure
that it remains pollutant-free and accessible
for families and visitors alike to enjoy for years
to come.”
The Berry Pond Preserve lies within the Warren
County towns of Lake George, Lake Luzerne
and Warrensburg, and includes the headwaters
of West Brook, a major tributary to the southern
basin of Lake George.
Officials said because water quality in this
part of Lake George is closely tied to the health
of West Brook, purchasing the tract will help to
protect these waters. The property will be added
to the state Forest Preserve and the state will
pay full local property and school taxes on the
newly acquired land.
The Lake George Land Conservancy purchased
the preserve in January 2008 as an
integral part of the West Brook Conservation
Initiative, which is designed to dramatically
reduce sediments and pollutants that currently
run freely into West Brook and, subsequently,
into Lake George near the Million Dollar Beach.
It is a coordinated effort by Warren County, the
Village of Lake George, New York state, the
Lake George Land Conservancy, the Fund for
Lake George and the Lake George Association.
“Tens of thousands of visitors will soon descend
on Lake George to marvel at its amazing
beauty during the very busy summer season.
Protecting this incredible asset is good for the
environment and for the economy,” said state
Sen. Betty Little of Queensbury. “This acquisition will help ensure a watershed critically
important to the health of the lake is protected
for generations to come.”
Assemblyman Dan Stec said protecting the
waters of Lake George continues to be a priority
for the state. “Providing additional recreational
activities will be an economic benefit to the
entire region,” he noted.
Department of Environmental Conservation
Commissioner Joe Martens said. “Governor
Cuomo is committed to helping communities
across the state access their natural resources
to provide exciting recreation opportunities for
residents and visitors, which will also benefit
the regional economy. The acquisition of the
Berry Pond Preserve helps further this goal
and protects an important tributary in the Lake
George Watershed.”
Connecting nearly 10,000 acres of protected
land, the Berry Pond tract links Prospect Mountain,
lands owned by the Nature Conservancy,
the Department of Environmental Conservation
sustainable forestry easement lands and other
open space land owned by the village and town
of Lake George.
Situated adjacent to the existing Lake
George Recreation Center, the Berry Pond
tract provides significantly expanded outdoor
recreational resources for residents and visitors,
including trails used by the South Warren
Snowmobile Club.
Kevin Geraghty, chairman of the Warren
County Board of Supervisors, said, “Protecting
the waters of Lake George is important to the
economy of Warren County as well as the environment.
This is another step in the right direction
to protect the ‘Queen of American Lakes.'”
Robert Blais, Mayor of the Village of Lake
George, said the purchase will allow the Lake
George Land Conservancy to continue its work
in protecting our watershed, creating additional
recreational opportunities and “preserving our
great physical resources.”
The tract is included in the state’s Open
Space Conservation Plan as a priority conservation
project.