Water Initiative

On the occasion of our 30th Anniversary, the Adirondack Council is focusing conservation, advocacy, outreach and education efforts on addressing the threats that are most likely to negatively impact the Park over the next thirty years. It is for this reason that the Adirondack Council is redoubling its efforts to preserve the Park's water.

The Council's efforts to protect the Park's water will ensure that aquatic ecosystems are healthy and functioning properly and able to provide the clean, fresh water that has been historically characteristic of the Adirondack Park. Addressing major threats to water quality, the Adirondack Council will focus on objectives that will lead to tangible results, securing pure Adirondack Park water for generations to come.

High acidity levels in many Adirondack lakes make them inhospitable to fish populations and create mercury levels that make Adirondack fish unhealthy to eat. Aging sewage and septic systems and run-off from farms add phosphorous and nutrients to waterbodies, contaminating swimming areas and creating a suitable environment for aquatic nuisance species like milfoil and algae. High levels of chloride and sodium from the improper storage and use of road salt is also contaminating drinking water supplies and harming fish and amphibian communities.

Fortunately, the solutions to mitigate these threats to the Park's waters have been identified.

To reduce acid rain, the Adirondack Council will advocate for and monitor the speedy implementation of the EPA Clean Air Interstate Rule issued in March 2005 reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants in twenty-nine eastern states. We will also work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ensure low emissions vehicle standards are adopted and implemented, to mirror those already in place in California.

To reduce toxic mercury poisoning, which comes with acid deposition and is being found at increasing levels in our fish, amphibians, and loons - the symbol of the Adirondack wilderness, the Council will monitor the U.S. EPA's proposals for mercury emissions reductions, advocating for deep cuts and opposing any provisions to trade pollution allowances. We will also advocate for increased funding for the Adirondack Lake Survey Corporation in the New York State Budgets for 2006 and 2007 to expand monitoring for mercury and its biological effects in Adirondack ecosystems. Building on past successes to limit emissions from power plants, the Council will work with the State Legislature and DEC to enact limits on mercury emissions from power plants in New York State.

To control aquatic invasive species, including Eurasian milfoil, water chestnut, zebra mussels, and lampreys, which choke out native species and interfere with water quality and recreational activities, the Adirondack Council will raise awareness through a public education campaign about the impact of invasive species and how they enter our waterways. We will continue to collaborate with the Adirondack Watershed Institute and co-sponsor the Annual Adirondack Water Quality Conference. The Council will also continue to work with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) to design an Adirondack invasive species strategy to prevent their dispersal, restore infested areas, and ensure increased funding to sustain APIPP's work. Finally, we will advocate for legislation on invasive species with funding incentives for Adirondack communities to control invasive species with non-toxic means.

To upgrade wastewater treatment systems, which include outdated septic and municipal sewage treatment systems, which allow pollutants to flow into our waterways and threaten our drinking water supplies and human health, the Council will promote legislation requiring inspections and improvements for residential on-site wastewater treatment systems with financial incentives to ensure compliance. We will also advocate for additional funding for Adirondack communities to undertake community planning to project their needs and secure funds for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.

To prevent runoff from overdeveloped shorelines and inappropriate farming practices, Adirondack Council will advocate for Adirondack Park Agency Act reforms focusing on shoreline development including larger setbacks, lot sizes and vegetative buffers to reduce runoff and improve water quality.

To limit contamination from road salt, which finds its way into our waterways and drinking water supplies threatening public health, the Council will promote legislative action requiring proper storage and prudent application of road salt and the use of alternative ice controls on roadways in the Park.

The Adirondack Council is raising $250,000 during our 30th Anniversary year to support intensified research, public education, media, and lobbying efforts to protect the Park's water. The Adirondack Council's Board of Directors has generously given $50,000 to match gifts from members through December 31, 2005. We hope every member will consider making a special anniversary gift to the Council to protect Adirondack waters. Any support that you can give will make a real difference.