New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

boating

Featured State Lands: Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area

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field at Honeoye Inlet WMA by Michael PalermoHoneoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Ontario and Livingston Counties at the south end of Honeoye Lake and is named after the lake and stream that flows through the property.

A great variety of wildlife finds high-quality habitat on this WMA, making it a worthwhile stop for birding and other wildlife observation. Wood duck, great blue heron, swamp sparrow, and least flycatcher are abundant in the silver maple-ash swamp. Each spring, thousands of salamanders migrate from the surrounding upland forest into the swamp to breed. [Read more…] about Featured State Lands: Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area

Canalway Water Trail Added to National Recreational Trails System

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paddlers explore the Erie Canal at the site of the historic Richmond Aqueduct in MontezumaIn celebration of Great Outdoors Month, The New York State Canal System, including the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals, is getting special recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior as one of the nation’s newly designated National Water Trails. [Read more…] about Canalway Water Trail Added to National Recreational Trails System

New Boating Requirements for Adirondack Waters

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DEC LogoThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced measures to prevent the further spread of aquatic invasive species in the Adirondacks.

Recent changes to Environmental Conservation Law become effective on Wednesday, June 8th, 2022, and require motorized boat users to obtain certification that they have inspected and removed potentially harmful aquatic invasive species before launching in waters in, and immediately adjacent to, the Adirondack Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about New Boating Requirements for Adirondack Waters

Coxsackie Boat Launch, Riverside Park Renovations Complete

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Coxsackie State Boat LaunchGovernor Kathy Hochul recently announced the completion of a $3.2 million project to revitalize the Coxsackie State Boat Launch and Riverside Park on the Hudson River in Greene County. [Read more…] about Coxsackie Boat Launch, Riverside Park Renovations Complete

Launching Your Boat? Make Sure Its Clean, Drained, and Dry

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Boat stewards assist the public with checking their watercraft for aquatic invasive speciesAnyone launching a boat in New York waters are reminded to clean, drain, and dry boats and trailers, and disinfect fishing gear before launching to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Starting Friday, May 27th, watercraft inspection stewards, AKA boat stewards, will be stationed at more than 225 boat launches throughout the state to educate and assist the public in cleaning their equipment. Identified by their blue vests, boat stewards can provide a refresher on how to inspect boats and gear and offer information about AIS in New York. [Read more…] about Launching Your Boat? Make Sure Its Clean, Drained, and Dry

Study Calls For Champlain Canal Barrier To Control Invasive Species

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Lake Champlain bridge provided by Erica RemingtonThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) and the non-Federal sponsor, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) have announced the completion of the Champlain Canal Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Barrier Phase 1 Study and the recommendation that a barrier be installed to limit the movement of invasive species into Lake Champlain. [Read more…] about Study Calls For Champlain Canal Barrier To Control Invasive Species

Western Erie, Glens Falls Feeder Canal Waters Lower This Year

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Mariners are advised that water levels in the Erie Canal between Lock E-30 (Macedon) and Locks E-34/35 (Lockport) will be approximately one foot lower than previous years as the Canal Corporation continues to monitor more than 200 known seeps along the canal’s earthen embankments. [Read more…] about Western Erie, Glens Falls Feeder Canal Waters Lower This Year

Seasonal Staff Sought to Protect Adirondack Lakes

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Watershed Stewards courtesy AWIPaul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) is hiring watercraft inspectors and decontamination technicians to work at boat launches and other key locations across the Adirondacks to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in the region’s waterways. [Read more…] about Seasonal Staff Sought to Protect Adirondack Lakes

Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities

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DEC LogoThe Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced a joint public comment period to solicit comments for a proposed amendment to the Generic Unit Management Plan/Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas.

The Generic UMP provides information on the environmental setting, inventory of facilities, organizational structure, issues, constraints, management objectives, and effects for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas in both the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. [Read more…] about Public Comments Sought On Boat Decontamination Facilities

Invasive Species Boat Inspection Law Extended

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Adirondack Watershed Institute Decontamination programThe law requiring motorized boats to be inspected for invasive plants and other harmful organisms prior to launch in New York waters has been extended. The Legislature also approved new education and outreach funding.

Boaters must verify that watercraft have been inspected and/or decontaminated to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. [Read more…] about Invasive Species Boat Inspection Law Extended