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John F. Sheehan, Communications Director
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Released, Friday, July 30, 2004

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. New York's and the United States' top environmental regulators will participate in a three-day conference with environmental organizations, citizens groups and research scientists in the Adirondack Park from August 9 to 11 to develop an action plan for protecting the Park's enormous-but-threatened supply of fresh, clean water.

US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Leavitt, NYS Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin Crotty, and APA Chairman Dr. Ross Whaley will be the featured speakers at the Second Annual Adirondack Water Quality Conference. The conference will again be hosted by Paul Smith's College.

Conference participants will answer questions such as: What are invasive plant and animal species doing to water quality and aquatic wildlife in the Adirondack Park? What is seeping into your lake from your neighbors' septic tanks? How can Park residents and landowners protect the 2,800 lakes and ponds, and the 30,000 miles of rivers, brooks and streams outside their doors?

"From these discussions, the participants will develop an action plan to guide advocates such as The Adirondack Council in our work with lawmakers and government agencies to diminish and prevent the damage done by invasive species and excessive nutrients," said Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian L. Houseal. "Last summer's conference was the first of its kind for the Adirondacks. It drew national attention and will serve as a model for other regions with concerns over water quality. We are very pleased that Administrator Leavitt, Commissioner Crotty and Chairman Whaley have taken time from their hectic schedules to join us and encourage the efforts of the participants."

"Paul Smith's College is thrilled to bring together such a diverse and enthusiastic group of scientists and concerned citizen activists," said Dr. Dan Kelting, Executive Director of the Adirondack Watershed Institute. "Anyone interested in participating is welcome. There is still time to sign up."

EPA Administrator Leavitt is slated to deliver a keynote address at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10. Commissioner Crotty (2003 Adirondack Council Conservationist of the Year) will speak at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 9.

The conference is scheduled for August 9 to 11 at Paul Smiths College, just north of Saranac Lake on State Route 30. Paul Smiths is the only four-year college in the Adirondack Park. The conference is being co-sponsored by The Adirondack Council. Other organizations co-sponsoring the Second Annual Adirondack Water Quality Conference are the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, Adirondack Park Agency, Adirondack Park Invasive Plants Program, Adirondack Watershed Institute, NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, and the Keet Foundation.

Local participants include representatives from the Adirondack Watershed Institute, Lake George Watershed Conference, Lake Champlain Basin Program, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District, Rainbow Lake Association, Upper Saranac Lake Association and many others.
"Abundant clean water is one of the things that makes the Adirondack Park such a special place," said Houseal. "And yet, clean water is a treasure that grows more rare and precious every single day. We are thrilled to be working with Paul Smiths College to focus attention on the need to understand what we can do to avoid squandering this priceless resource."

The Adirondack Council is a privately funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park.