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
July 29, 2008
For
Immediate Release
Contact: James Hood
Communications Coordinator
Lake George Association
Phone: (518) 668-3558
LGA STAFFER NAMED TO NYS
INVASIVE SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Lake George, NY – The Lake George Association (LGA), the oldest lake association in the nation, has announced that James Hood has been named to the New York State Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC). Hood, the LGA’s communications coordinator, will represent the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) on the statewide committee. Hood is a member of the NYSFOLA Board of Directors and chairs the group’s Invasive Species Committee.
“This puts the LGA and NYSFOLA in a very advantageous position,” said Walt Lender, the LGA’s executive director. “New York’s lakes have been heavily impacted by aquatic invasive species, and now we will be able to have a say in how the state manages invasives.”
Hood has been involved in invasive species from an advocacy perspective, since joining the LGA in 2002. He has represented the LGA on several local, state and regional invasive species group, including the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society.
“Being asked to sit on the Advisory Committee is terrific recognition for all New York lakes,” said Hood. “As their representative, I will work hard to make sure that aquatic and wetland invasive species are given a high priority by New York State, and Lake George will certainly benefit from that.”
In 2003, legislation was passed creating the NYS Invasive Species Task Force, an ad hoc body charged with studying the effects of invasive species throughout the state and making recommendations for next steps. In September of 2007, that group was made permanent as the NYS Invasive Species Council (ISC). Comprised of representatives from several state agencies, the ISC was charged with carrying out the recommendations mapped out by the original Task Force.
The ISC created the Advisory Committee to engage stakeholders and receive input on how the state should proceed. The ISAC consists of non-governmental groups from industry, academia, environmental conservation and advocacy, and local government. NYSFOLA was invited as a statewide organization of lake associations.
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. Interested in becoming an LGA member? Contact the LGA at (518) 668-3558 or check
out LGA on the web at www.lakegeorgeassociation.org.
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