The Town of Queensbury includes approximately 10% of the incredible Lake George shoreline. Town Supervisor John Strough gives 110% when it comes to Lake protection.
“Ask not what Lake George can do for you, ask what you can do for Lake George,” the retired high school history teacher says, adding, “I believe everyone should do everything they can to make sure the water quality of Lake George doesn’t degrade.”
Under Supervisor Strough’s leadership, Queensbury has been at the forefront of municipal Lake protection efforts, particularly in wastewater and stormwater management, with a goal of minimizing the nutrient loading that can lead to harmful algal blooms and other water quality problems.
With most of the town’s northernmost residents living on narrow, heavily clustered Lake George peninsulas, in homes serviced by individual septic systems, Queensbury, in 2019, became the first community on the Lake to require system inspections anytime a waterfront residential property changes ownership. The town also facilitated the formation of a wastewater disposal district and matching grant program on Dunhams Bay that has spurred the replacement of more than 20 systems since its inception. Now the Supervisor is working with residents of the Rockhurst Peninsula on a grant application to help fund a neighborhood wastewater system.
“Ask not what Lake George can do for you, ask what you can do for Lake George.”
– John Strough
Supervisor Strough led the town’s development of highly protective shoreline buffer and stream corridor management regulations, and created a task force that is working with the LGA and Lake George Waterkeeper Chris Navitsky to study Low Impact Development design standards for properties on or near the Lake and its tributaries.
When the idea arose for a mandatory invasive species boat inspection program, Supervisor Strough was a steadfast advocate. He’s a driving force behind a new protection-focused coalition of Lake George Basin municipalities. If there’s a meeting or conference on Lake protection, he’ll be there. And when the Lake George Park Commission conducts its annual Asian clam survey, you’ll find him out there, sieve in hand, searching for the troublesome pests. The Supervisor also supports Lake protection through his longtime membership in the LGA.
“Lake George is so good to us in so many ways,” the Supervisor says. “It’s good economically, environmentally, visually, emotionally. We’re lucky to have it right next door to us.”
“As an elected official,” he says, “what I’ve seen is, people have a heartfelt desire to make sure whatever they’re doing isn’t going to ruin the lake. My job is to work with them to make sure we all get what we want — a healthy, pristine Lake George.”
“You can’t beat Lake George,” he says, reflecting on countless hours spent swimming, boating, fishing, camping, skin diving and bicycling around the Basin.
“Sitting at the head of Lake George, after a bike ride, you say, ‘My gosh, am I lucky to live here.’ It’s just beautiful. Thomas Jefferson was right.”
Ready to take John’s lead and protect your bay? Sign up for our Bay-by-Bay initiative and we’ll share tools to help you and your neighbors ensure the Lake George you love stays clear and clean.