AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION FOR LAKE GEORGE PUBLIC HEARING MAY 21, LAKE GEORGE
What is the Lake George Park Commission? The Lake George Park Commission is a NYS agency established to oversee and manage the unique resources of the Lake George Park especially the lake s superior water quality. To do so, the Commission is conveyed special authority and responsibility by New York State. The Commission s programs fill critical gaps to ensure the lake s protection and encourage cooperation among the many public and private entities whose common goal is the lake s preservation. 2
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES AND LAKE GEORGE Currently five known invasive species in Lake George Eurasian Milfoil Zebra Mussels Asian Clams Curly-leaf Pondweed Spiny Waterflea $7.3 million dollars spent on management to date Annual costs exceed $1 Million
WHAT S OUT THERE?
http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/protecting-victoria-pest-animals-weeds/invasive-plants-animalpolicy
DRAFT AIS PREVENTION PLAN FOR LAKE GEORGE
Invasive Species Prevention Plan What did we learn? Risk: Regional AIS Sources Macrophytes Small-bodied Organisms Vector: Trailered Boats 100 Launch Sites Clean, Drained, Dry
10
Invasive Species Prevention Plan How do we keep new invasives out of Lake George? Alternatives: Voluntary Compliance Self-Certification Mandatory Inspections Mandatory Inspection With after-hours self-certification Registration of Non-motorized boats
EDUCATION & OUTREACH Promote AIS Awareness Rack Cards to local businesses, marinas, municipalities, boat registrants ProtectLakeGeorge.com LGPC Website Media and Marketing outreach Public Presentations
VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE Education & Outreach Lake Stewards Exterior Visual Inspection 6+ launches Time: May-Mid September Marine Patrol Cost: $100-200k/year
SELF-CERTIFICATION Program Description Education & Outreach Online Training & Certification Program Boater Certifies C-D-D Enforcement Increased officer presence Penalties Cost $50K-75K Startup $150K-300k/year
MANDATORY INSPECTION Trailered boats only Standard: clean, drained, dry (CDD) Decontamination if not clean, drained, dry Time: April-December 12 hours/day Cost: $650-700K/year
MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTION WITH AFTER-HOURS SELF-CERTIFICATION Mandatory: C-D-D Daytime Self-Certification: C-D-D Night time Cost: $650-$700k/year
REGISTRATION OF NON-MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT Program Description AIS decal for nonmotorized boats <18 Canoes, kayaks, etc Some western states: $5 per vessel
MANDATORY INSPECTIONS WHY IS THIS THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE? Strongest protection for the lake Institutes C-D-D Standard Inhibit juvenile, non-visible species Compliance is mandatory, does not rely on good faith
HOW WOULD THIS PROGRAM WORK? All trailered boats entering Lake George must be inspected Five regional inspection stations around lake Standard of Clean, Drained, and Dry (CDD) Decontamination of boats and trailers not meeting C-D-D standard
WHERE WOULD INSPECTION STATIONS BE? Five stations envisioned around Lake George Locations based on launch data, traffic patterns, and available work area
HOW WOULD THIS PROGRAM WORK? Sealed after Inspection When removed from lake, boat secured to trailer Frozen boat program Upon next return to Lake George, if seal is intact, inspection is not necessary If seal is not present (i.e. launched at another lake), new inspection is required
WHAT IS THE IMPACT TO THE BOATING PUBLIC? Average out-of-way travel time to inspection site: 0-10 minutes Inspection time: 5-7 minutes Decontamination time (if required): 20-30 minutes Cost for Inspection and possible decontamination: $40 range
LAUNCH MANAGEMENT State (4) LGPC Staff After-hours Access via Passive Surveillance Marina & Motel (47) Register Staff or Secure Launch Homeowners & HOA s (46) Register Launch landowner boats Certification of C-D-D Quick Launch & Haulers MOU: chain of custody
WHAT IS THE IMPACT TO THE BOATING PUBLIC? Travel time to inspection site: 0-10 minutes Inspection time: 5-7 minutes Decon time: 20-30 minutes Annual Boater Fee Increase $37.50 for 87% Annual Decon Fee: $40 range
FUNDING SCENARIOS LGPC annual boat registration fee would double Increase $35 per year for 87% generates ~ 500k $40 Inspection Fee Once annually, if needed Generates ~100-150k Length Equipped for Overnight Not Equipped for Overnight Less than 21' $30 $30 21' to 25' $37.50 $37.50 26' $67.50 $45 27' $97.50 $52.50 Decontamination Free with inspection 28' $127.50 $60 Over 28' $37.50 + $30 for each foot over 25' $37.50 + $7.50 for each foot over 25' Current LGPC Boater fees Other options NYS General Fund Warren County Sales Tax (portion of 0.25% increase) Municipal Contributions (based upon tax base, launch traffic or similar equitable basis)
SUPPORT FOR MANDATORY PROGRAM Resolutions of Support Warren County Board of Supervisors Village of Lake George Town of Lake George Town of Bolton Town of Hague Town of Ticonderoga Town of Putnam Town of Queensbury Town of Fort Ann Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Lake George Chamber of Commerce Bolton Chamber of Commerce Hague Chamber of Commerce Lake George Association Fund for Lake George Media/Editorial Boards (unsought) Albany Times Union Glens Falls Post Star Lake George Mirror Adirondack Journal Hague Chronicle Schenectady Gazette Considerable general public support, hundreds of emails, letters, calls to LGPC Hague Fish and Game Club
SUMMARY Preferred Alternative proposes mandatory inspection of trailered boats prior to launch Implements widely accepted standard for AIS prevention: C-D-D Decontamination available for boats not passing inspection 87% of boaters pay increased annual registration cost of $35 Tremendous public support for proposed program
NEXT STEPS Comment Period until June 25 th Public Hearing(s) May 21, Lake George Mid June 12, Ticonderoga Finalize Plan Commissioners vote on path forward (July likely) If option chosen requires regulatory change, then need public hearing on Draft Regulation Finalize Regulation Potential Legislative modification to LGPC fee schedule
THANK YOU FOR COMING LGPC Chairman Bruce Young Dave Wick Executive Director Lake George Park Commission Phone: 668-9347 Email: dave@lgpc.state.ny.us Website: www.lgpc.state.ny.us Address: 75 Fort George Road PO Box 749 Lake George, NY 12845