People Protecting the Lake
Since 1885.
Lake George Association – P.O. Box 408 – Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 668-3558 – Fax
(518) 668-4702 – www.lakegeorgeassociation.org
June 2, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
James Hood
Communications Coordinator
Lake George Association
(518) 668-3558
LAKE STEWARD PROGRAM ALREADY ON DUTY
Lake George, NY -- Lake George’s Lake Steward Program is off to an active start for 2008. Coordinated this year through the Lake George Association (LGA), the Lake Steward program has assigned its staff to two public boat launches so far. Over the busy Memorial Day weekend, stewards were on duty at Norowal Marina in Bolton Landing and Mossy Point boat launch in Ticonderoga. In all, stewards encountered 261 boats launching into the waters of Lake George.
“The stewards’ goal is to inspect boats entering Lake George and interact with the owners, educating them about transporting invasive plants and animals into the lake,” according to LGA Executive Director, Walt Lender. “We firmly believe that education and information is key to helping stop the spread of invasives in Lake George. No one would willingly introduce something harmful into this pristine lake if they fully understood the ramifications.”
“We’re getting the program up and running early this year. We hope it will be effective and stop the introduction of new species into the lake as well as curb the spread of the ones we already have,” according to Emily DeBolt, LGA’s Education and Outreach Coordinator who is running the program this year.
Of the 261 boats inspected over the holiday weekend, four of them carried plant material, which would have been deposited into Lake George. The plants were removed by the stewards and sent to RPI’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute for identification.
“Boaters should keep in mind that the stewards
are helping to protect Lake George, so if it takes an extra minute to launch
because you are talking to the stewards and letting them inspect your boat - it
is a minute well spent.” DeBolt added.
The Lake Steward Program is funded through
the Lake George Watershed Conference and a grant from the New York State
Department of State.
The LGA is a not-for-profit membership organization of
people interested in working together to protect, conserve, and improve the
beauty and quality of the Lake George Basin. For more information, contact the
LGA at (518) 668-3558 or check out LGA on the web at www.lakegeorgeassociation.org.
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