Courtesy Lake George Park Commission
Due to concerns regarding the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, the Lake George Park Commission is delaying implementation of its mandatory boat inspection program until June 1, as opposed to the traditional May 1 date.
Commission Chairman Bruce Young said the decision was made to protect the health and safety of the boating public and the commission’s boat inspection staff.
“The commission must balance the risk of new introductions of aquatic invasive species versus the health and safety of the public and our staff,” said Young. “An analysis of launch data from the past six years of the mandatory inspection program shows a lower risk for invasives introductions in the month of May compared with the summer months. Only 4 percent of annual decontaminations occur in May, and most boats are being launched for the first time of the season.”
Boaters are still required to have a Lake George boat registration sticker for 2020, and all boats still must arrive at Lake George “clean, drained and dry,” said Dave Wick, commission executive director. “Please be sure to plan your trip to Lake George in advance, and make sure your boat is clean and registered before you launch into the lake.”
The commission will be visiting launches regularly to help ensure compliance with these laws. Questions regarding the status of state launches on Lake George should be directed to the state Department of Environmental Conservation at 518‐623‐1200.
To get a 2020 Lake George boat registration sticker, visit the commission website at www. lgpc.ny.gov.