water quality

Harmful Algal Blooms in NYS: A Season Summary

November 26, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The 2022 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) notification season has ended, and the Department of Environmental Conservation posted the summary of this year’s HABs notices to the HABs Archive webpage.

During 2022, 198 waterbodies statewide were listed with “Confirmed HABs” on the NY HAB System (NYHABS). Over 1,600 HAB reports were collected, and of these, over 1,000 met criteria for a Confirmed HAB. The reports ranged from a single observation to widespread blooms that were persistent throughout the season. [Read more…] about Harmful Algal Blooms in NYS: A Season Summary

Lake Champlain Basin Commemorating the Clean Water Act

November 6, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fifty years ago, the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Water Act. This landmark legislation has been critical in protecting and restoring the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources.

To recognize the Act’s importance, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership (CVNHP) and the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) have spearheaded a commemoration of the anniversary with a variety of events, activities, and publications in 2022. [Read more…] about Lake Champlain Basin Commemorating the Clean Water Act

Gibson: DEC & APA Should Reform Managing Adirondack Lakes and Ponds

November 5, 2022 by David Gibson 1 Comment

At Adirondack Wild’s October meeting at the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center, lakes and ponds came under the spotlight in a panel discussion about Cooperative Stewardship of Adirondack Lakes. Of particular interest was a given lake’s classification and subsequent comprehensive study, planning and management.

If Adirondack waterbodies are considered part of the Forest Preserve, and for the last fifty years the State Land Master Plan talks about land and water, then the law requires that lakes and ponds be classified, just as forests are. That raises important questions. [Read more…] about Gibson: DEC & APA Should Reform Managing Adirondack Lakes and Ponds

$1.4M For Hudson River Estuary Community Projects

October 22, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced grants totaling more than $1.4 million for 23 projects to help communities along the Hudson River Estuary improve water quality and enhance environmental education and stewardship.

The announcement coincides with the 20th Annual ‘Day in the Life of the Hudson and Harbor,’ where 5,000 student scientists are gathering along the Hudson River and New York Harbor to collect data on the Hudson’s fish and invertebrates, track the river’s tides and currents, and examine water chemistry and quality. [Read more…] about $1.4M For Hudson River Estuary Community Projects

Skaneateles Lake Watershed Property Protected by Easement

August 12, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT) have announced the permanent protection of 234 acres at Casa Farms in the town of Niles, Cayuga County, with a conservation easement.

Adk Watershed Institute Wins Road Salt, Green Infrastructure Grants

August 6, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) has announced it was recently awarded two research grants from the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP).

The first grant will help scientists and policy makers understand the extent of road salt pollution in Lake Champlain. The second grant will support AWI scientists to assess the effectiveness of recent stormwater upgrades in Lake Placid to improve water quality in Mirror Lake. [Read more…] about Adk Watershed Institute Wins Road Salt, Green Infrastructure Grants

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

May 27, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Anyone 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

Recent Adirondack Conservation News

May 19, 2022 by Justin Levine Leave a Comment

The North Country to receive $40 million for water infrastructure projects

New York State and the Adirondacks, in particular, will soon benefit from a large round of funding from the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act to help keep waterways and drinking water cleaner. Seven communities in the Adirondack Park – notably Lyon Mountain, Schroon Lake, and Indian Lake – will receive about $8 million in clean water project funding. This funding will relieve some of the burden on taxpayers in these tiny rural towns. Waterways do not follow political boundaries so improvements to water quality in the Adirondacks will also benefit nature and communities far beyond the Park’s borders. [Read more…] about Recent Adirondack Conservation News

$400k Available in Grants for Great Lakes Basin Projects

May 17, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York Sea Grant, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), has announced $400,000 in grant funding now available for Great Lakes ecosystem-based management projects in support of New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda. Awards of up to $50,000 per project will be available from the New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program. [Read more…] about $400k Available in Grants for Great Lakes Basin Projects

May is American Wetlands Month

May 14, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State is home to over two million acres of freshwater wetlands. Freshwater wetlands are lands typically covered with water, are very wet, but are not connected to the ocean or estuary.

Freshwater wetlands have many different names including bogs, swamps, marshes, vernal pools, potholes, and fens. May is American Wetlands Month. [Read more…] about May is American Wetlands Month