The Adirondack Council

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Wednesday, June 19, 2002

For more information: John F. Sheehan - 518-432-1770

ALBANY, NY -- The Adirondack Council today praised the NYS Assembly for unanimously passing a bill that would educate boaters on how to avoid spreading invasive, non- native plant and animal species between water bodies. The Council urged the Senate to act, and send legislation to the Governor.

"Boats carried on trailers can move from one lake or river to another, spreading unwanted plants and animals far and wide," said Bernard C. Melewski, Acting Executive Director of the Adirondack Council. "There are very few public boat launches anywhere that are equipped to help boaters remove unwanted plants and animals from their trailers, boat propellers, bilges and water-cooled engines. In the Adirondacks alone, that has led to zebra mussels spreading to Lake Champlain, Eurasian milfoil in Lake George and dozens of other lakes, and an explosion of other aggressive, non-native species such as water chestnut.

"If left uncontrolled, exotic species like these can cause a lot of damage," Melewski said. "The control process is costly and frustrating for lake managers. On Lake George, anxious regulators are seeking permission to use chemical pesticides, which may do more long term harm than good. This bill is about keeping lakes clean."

The bill calls for the Department of Environmental Conservation to post signs telling boaters whether a water body is contaminated with specific invasive species. Signs would be posted at all public and commercial docks, piers, wharfs and boat launch areas. The signs would suggest steps that boaters can take to minimize the chances for an accidental introduction of exotic plants and non-native aquatic animals into a non-infested water body. DEC could place signs at informational kiosks or bulletin boards, where other signs are commonly placed.

"A few simple steps by boaters can make a big difference," Melewski said. "Wash your boat trailer thoroughly between launches and allow a few days to dry in the sun before launching again. You will be doing your part to keep lakes clean."

The bill (A.11437) is sponsored by Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Thomas P. DiNapoli, D-Great Neck. A companion bill (S.7407), is sponsored by Sen. Ronald B. Stafford, R-Plattsburgh.

"This boater education project complements another program in the Adirondacks to control invasive species," Melewski said. "Earlier this year, the Adirondack Park Agency, the state Department of Transportation and The Nature Conservancy launched a joint effort to remove and control invasive plants that have sprung up along roadsides in the Adirondack Park. The participants have already scouted and mapped roadsides with invasive species problems. Control programs will be developed and pursued that can be as simple as pulling the plants by hand and placing the flowers or seed heads in bags to prevent the wind from spreading the plants to new locations."

Melewski suggested that -- inside the Adirondack Park -- the DEC confer with the Adirondack Park Agency and the Lake George Park Commission about the design and placement of the signs."The APA has been advising communities across the Park on non-toxic methods for controling the spread of non-native species," he said. "And the Lake George Park Commission is working on a basin-wide plan for the control of exotic species that should include a public education component. In addition, both agencies could advise the DEC how to post the warnings without detracting from the wild and scenic character of the Park."

The Adirondack Council, Melewski said, will also work with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to spread the word to boaters about limiting the spread of exotics.

"As a complementary effort to the placement of signs, information on invasive species could be included in publications already distributed to boaters," said Melewski. "The NYS Boater's Guide, published by the Office of Parks, already provides information on zebra mussels and could be expanded easily to provide information on other invasive species. Also, the Office's Boat Launch Directory could indicate which boat launch sites are on infected water bodies.

The Adirondack Council is an 18,000-member, privately funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural character and human communities of the Adirondack Park through research, education, advocacy and legal action.