2014 Annual Report Voice of the River

Connecting Communities, Protecting the River 1181 Haselton Rd | PO Box 8 Wilmington, NY 12997 (518) 637-6859 [email protected] www.ausableriver.org

Annual Report & Newsletter of the Ausable River Association - Summer 2015 Your River Association - Your Backyard Formed by the community and focused on our watershed for 17 years, the Ausable River Associaton is the com- munity’s voice for the river: your voice. • We’re advocates for clean water, healthy river and stream habitats, for brook trout and the many other na- tve species that depend on the river. • AsRA programs provide resources to anglers, boaters, and other recreatonal users; we monitor the river and share data that help us understand changes and fnd solutons to problems. • We share our knowledge freely with young and old, landowners, municipal employees, and technical ex- perts, through workshops, events, and one-on-one. • And we restore streams to their natural functon, repair damage to banks that threaten homes and business- es, and retroft and replace culverts to reduce road damage and ensure fsh passage. We work cooperatvely with a wide array of organizatonal partners, ofen behind the scenes and far from the limelight and, like the river, we’re the force connectng the diverse players. We dream big, plan carefully, and then get good work done. We hope you will join us this year. Take a look at our work in this Annual Report editon of Voice of the River. Then consider donatng, becoming a member, or renewing your membership. Make a diference in your own back yard. For our river.

Larry Master Kelley Tucker Chair - Board of Directors Executve Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AsRA’s New Look Larry Master Chair You may have notced a refreshed logo on this editon of Voice of the River. Elizabeth Clarke The new logo is similar to our previous one but has bolder lines, brighter Vice-Chair colors, a fsh identfable as a trout, and stands out on web pages and publi- Christan Brammer catons. We are excited to be able to share it with our supporters. When you Treasurer join or renew your membership you will receive a stcker with the logo on Rocco Giampaolo it. You can learn more about membership in the enclosed leter from AsRA’s Secretary executve director. Evan Botcher Ray Curran Along with the new logo we are designing a new website. The new site will al- Robert Farkas low us to share and update informaton about the Ausable River, highlight our Susan Lacy recent and ongoing work, and provide the public with a wealth of resources Neil Levine about the river. Kathryn Reiss

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kelley Tucker

SCIENCE & STEWARDSHIP DIRECTOR Brendan Wiltse

RIVER STEWARD Nicole Pionteck Science Returns to the Ausable River An excitng new additon to AsRA’s work is the establishment of a monitoring and research program. With Title 11 funds from the State Department of State, AsRA has been able to purchase a mult-parameter probe and tempera- ture loggers, fund two long-term remote monitoring statons on the Chubb River, and regularly monitor several lakes in the watershed. At the core of this work is a watershed wide bi-weekly monitoring program of the river and its tributaries. At each monitor- ing locaton temperature, dissolved oxy- gen, conductvity, and pH are measured. These basic parameters will help inform and target future water quality monitor- ing, while also providing critcal data on the health of the river and its ability to Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) profles of Mirror Lake on May 18th, 2015. The spike in DO near the thermocline is likely the result of an algae support aquatc life. bloom which is typical during this tme of year. Water temperature is of partcular concern. Warmer water stresses cold-water fsh species and can’t dissolve as much oxygen. This summer we will be plac- ing 13 temperature loggers in the river and several tributaries to assess the ability of these streams to support fsh, partcularly brook trout. Chloride polluton from the applicaton of road salt to area roads is one of the most signifcant threats to the water quality of the Ausable River. Our bi-weekly monitoring program allows us to monitor chloride concentra- tons in the river by modeling its relatonship with conductvity. To develop a beter understanding of how this pollutant is moving through our watershed we have partnered with the Adirondack Watershed Insttute to place two long-term remote monitoring statons on the Chubb River. These statons will allow us to monitor the impact winter road maintenance practces in are having on the Chubb River. The Adirondack Watershed In- sttute will be processing water samples from these statons on a bi-weekly basis, which will also alert us to other pollutants such as phosphorus. Finally, with fnancial assistance from the New York State Department of State, the Mirror Lake Watershed Associaton, and the Town of Wilmington, AsRA has enrolled Taylor Pond, Mirror Lake, and Lake Everest in the Adirondack Lake Assess- ment Program. Once a month, from May through October, we will take vertcal profles of temperature, dissolved oxy- gen, conductvity, and pH, as well as measure transparency, and collect water samples to be processed at the Adirondack Watershed Insttute. These programs will help inform and prioritze our work on the Ausable, while also providing valuable informaton about Science & Stewardship Director Brendan Wiltse’s back- the river to residents, government leaders, and scientsts. ground in limnology is steering AsRA’s research and moni- toring eforts. 2014 In Review Palmer Brook Culvert Retrofit AsRA retrofted two stream crossings on Palm- er Brook. The undersized culverts had created deep scour pools and up to 3 foot water drops at their outlets – exacerbatng fooding and cutng of passage for fsh. Working with the Town of Black Brook, The Nature Conservancy, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, a series of natural step pools were constructed to reestablish the connecton between the stream and the culvert. The end result: happy fsh, less erosion, and less maintenance for the town.

West Branch Riparian Planting Afer a stream restoraton project ends, AsRA does not walk away. We help establish a four- ishing riparian bufer. Lush bufers of natve river trees and plants, hardy enough to handle foods, ice, and wind are essental to a healthy river cor- ridor. They stabilize banks with dense root sys- tems, absorb an amazing amount of water, are essental habitat for wildlife, and provide cooling shade. Ausable River waters are warming. Ripar- ian bufers as deep as the river is wide can help counteract this trend. Ezra Schwartzberg Riverlands Restoration: Before It might look prety, but there is a 10’ high raw bank under AsRA’s Executve Director Kelley Tucker. At moderate fow, the river is fat and glassy, clogged with sediment, with no evident rifes and limited fsh habitat.

Brendan Wiltse TNC Replacing Culverts Surveying Streams River Steward Funding AsRA is working side by side with Our ability to provide survey We did it! AsRA secured 18 Ausable River towns to replace expertse was made possible by months of funding to make our undersized culverts like the one the generous donatons of many River Steward positon year- above. In 2014, we began inital individuals who helped us raise round thus renewing our commit- geomorphic surveys of priority funds through Adirondack Gives ment to invasive species spread culverts so replacements will be to purchase a laser level and preventon, outreach on and of appropriately sized to ensure receiver, stadia rod, cross-secton the river, clean water steward- public safety and fsh passage. stakes, survey tapes, and more. ship, and polluton preventon.

Riverlands Restoration: After We restored over 600 linear feet of streambank, narrowing the stream, adding streambed roughness, restoring the banks, haltng erosion. Notce the complex bank full of hiding places for fsh, insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Brendan Wiltse Thank You to our Generous Donors

Individual Donors & Warren and Lorraine Kries Rob Hastngs Business Donors Family Foundatons Ruth Kuhfahl John Haverlick and Debra 20 Main Headwaters Council ($1000+) Sam Lacy Whitson Alpine Country Inn & Suites David Brunner and Rhonda Peter Landau and Hilari Arthur F. Hopper Butler Connington Trudy Horridge Ausable Inn Keene Valley Laura and Robert Devinney Donald and Melissa Lang David and Barbara Hunt Barkeater Trails Alliance Johanson Family Susan Lourie and Eric Mosher Donna and Wayne Ignatuk Dartbrook Rustc Goods Master Family Fund 2 James and JoAnn McKenna Michael and Nancy Ingersoll Devins Garage & Deli Meg Parker and Mat McNamara Rhoda and Paul Morrisroe Marion Jefers Essex County Adirondack Garden Anne and Ken Stuzin Michael Murray David and Lynn Johnson Club Jef and Kathy Wiegand Jeanne Nichols Georgia Jones Eye Peek Anonymous Sylvia Norton and Joseph Charles Kilbourne Feek Pharmacy McCranels Paula Kurasch and Terry Blank Golden Arrow Resort $500 to $999 Nancy and William Paternote Gilles and Shawn Lamarche Gordon Prat Agency Bruce Berra Robert and Karen Peters Richard Lamb Haselton Lumber Christan Brammer and Jane Carol Pinney Philip Lobo High Falls Gorge Haugh Warren and Pat Radclife Roland and Pam Machold High Peaks Cyclery & Sports Ray Curran and Kathy Dagget Arthur and Susan Ryan and Ral and Elissa Mazza Hornbeck Boats Robert Farkas and Anne Scavo Eileen Connolly Vinny and Barbara McClelland Hungry Trout Fly Shop Jim Herman and Dave Mason John Sargent Marilyn McDonald Hungry Trout Resort Robert Jefery Bill and Betsy Serjak James McSparron Hurricane Mountain Chapter/ Neil Levine Barbara Smith Joseph Moore ADK Judson and Kathleen Smith Normand and Judy Smith Connie Morrison Inspired Performance Coaching $250 to $499 Pete Sutmeier Joe and Karen Murphy Ironman Foundaton Nan Boardman and Steve Pam and Fairman Thompson Marcy Neville Lake Placid/Whiteface Mtn. KOA Amstutz James and Parmalee Tolkan Stanley Orlowski McDonough’s Valley Hardware Liz and Michael Clarke Nancy Touhey Franklin and Martha Owen Merrill L. Thomas Real Estate Richard Feldman Deb Trombley John Peipon Richert Environmental William and Christne Gremp Kelley Tucker and Stephen Seymour Preston, Jr. Associates, LLC. Leita and William Hamill Longmire In honor of Sarah Prince Rivermede Farms Jerome and Marcie Hunsaker Eva Turel and John Longmire Gregory and Catherine Roth Tahawus Center William Janeway Jeanne Warner Peter Prime Team USA Fly Fishing Robert Jefrey In honor of Lawrence Wojcik Sarah Prince The Birch Store Joan and Miles Kulukundis Carol Pinney Vic and Vickie Putman The Fallen Arch Susan Lacy and Jim Bernard Up to $99 Bobbi and Scot Renderer The Litle Supermarket Ben Lacy Kate Asselin C.P. and Louise Robinson The Mountaineer John Laferty Meg Balassone and John Mills Seth and Trudy Rosenblum Trout Unlimited Ellen Metcalf Suzanne Bohning Don Rubadeau Whiteface Mountain Regional Kara Page and Dirk Bryant Tom and Alice Boute John Ryan Visitors Bureau $100 to $249 John and Kathleen Braico Emily and Nat Selleck Wildwood on the Lake Susan and C Douglas Angevine Doris Brann Martha Spear Municipal Donatons Laura Armstrong Craig Brashear and Rebecca Kelly John and Susan Spissinger Town of Jay Bill Stokes and Karen Rappaport Mary Ashmead Penelope Clute In-Kind Contributons Ginnie Styles Mary Barrie and Ted Stork Peter Davis and Nancy Both Asgaard Farm Emily Tyner Anna Batgelli and Paul Johnston Jenifer Deming Bruce Berra William and Katherine Wellman Mary Bell and Bill Joplin Anita and John Deming Fledging Crow Kathleen Wiley and Jef Leavit Linda B. and G. Robert Cooley Susan Doolitle Hungry Trout Fly Shop Shawn Wiltse Gary Derr and Lynn Bondurant Randy and Margaret Douglas Hungry Trout Resort Chris Woods Charles and Liza Eaton Tim and Kay Driscoll Lake Everest Diner & Pizzeria Cecil and Gilda Wray Eva Eaton Lorraine Duvall LeepOf Cycles Edward Prince Stephen Farrelly Foundatons Loremans Dominic and Melissa Eisinger Rachel Finn Cloudspliter Foundaton Patagonia Yvonne Farmer Barry Fitz-James Patagonia World Trout Grants Pepsi Nelson and Mary Gelfman Caroline Foster Council Rebecca Bidelspach Rocco and Mandy Giampaolo J.G. Fritzinger, Jr. The Evergreen Foundaton, Inc. River’s Edge Emporium & Market Tony and Bunny Goodwin Sharon Fuerst William & Gayle Chorske Sugar House Creamery John and Pat Hopkinson Larry Gibbons Foundaton Valley Grocery Christopher and Audrey Hyson Louise Gregg Ronald W. Jacobsen Lauren Gundlach Financial Statements - 2014 Activities Financial Position Support and Revenue As of December 31, 2014

Donatons $44,860 Assets Grants $6,610 Cash & Savings $48,936 Contracts $51,606 Pre-Paid Expenses $1,130 Events $28,789 Total Assets $50,066 Other $200 Total $132,065 Liabilites $1,531 Accounts Payable $1,531 Expenses Total Liabilites & Net Assets $48,535 Programs $26,499 A copy of the latest annual report for the Ausable River Communicatons & Fundraising $6,068 Associaton, Inc. may be obtained, upon request, from the Ofce & Technology $13,092 organizaton or from the New York State Atorney General’s Travel $2,758 Charites Bureau, Atn: FOIL Ofcer, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Personnel Expenses $74,794 Insurance $1,022 Restricted Grants Professional Services $3,596 AsRA currently manages two Local Waterfront Revital- Board Expense $385 izaton Program Grants (LWRP) through the New York Total $128,214 State Department of State. These grants reimburse AsRA program and personnel costs under the terms How Your Support Is Allocated of each grant contract and must be matched 1:1 with non-federal funds.

2010 LWRP thru Town of North Elba Total Grant $39,250 Funds Remaining $7,875 2012 LWRP thru Essex County Total Grant $217,950 Funds Remaining $168,538

Sunrise over the Ausable Watershed Brendan Wiltse Raffle Tickets On Sale Grand Prize: Hornbeck Canoe Valued at over $1,700 Includes the Hornbeck Perfect Fit Program Runner-Up: Half-Day Guided Fly Fishing Trip for Two Valued at $350 Experience fy fshing on the spectacular Ausable River in the , guided by the owner of the Hungry Trout Fly Shop, Evan Botcher. All gear included. Tickets are on sale at High Falls Gorge, Hungry Trout Fly Shop, and look for AsRA at the Keene Valley and Lake Placid Farmers’ Markets. 1 Ticket for $5, 3 Tickets for $10, 7 Tickets for $20

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Add#your#Voice,### ####Support#the#Ausable#River.# # Join#or#renew#your#membership#today!#

Friends,

The Ausable River connects our communities and, much like the mountains and valleys it helped to create over millennia, defines the places you live, work, play in, and love.

Give back to the river and to your community.

Support the local organization that protects, monitors, and restores the river in partnership with our river communities – the Ausable River Association.

Becoming a member is easy. Just fill out the enclosed envelope or visit our website.

New annual membership categories – all members receive Voice of the River, an AsRA logo sticker, and an invitation to our annual Friendraiser event, hosted this year by High Falls Gorge. • Member - $35 – basic membership helps provide the general support that ensures our day-to-day operations. • Contributing Member - $100 – membership at this level keeps AsRA’s science, stewardship, and survey programs on the river to collect and share information. • Sustaining Member - $350 – sustaining members help us restore significant river reaches, replace culverts, maintain reliable monitoring equipment, and give us the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances and urgent needs. And we are excited to announce the Headwaters Council… Individuals or households with annual contributions of $1,000 or greater safeguard the continuity of our programs. In return, they receive annual opportunities to tour and explore the watershed and visit favorite sites with AsRA staff, board members, and expert advisors. Headwaters Council members ensure a future for AsRA.

AsRA relies on the support of people who care about the river, love its natural beauty, its clean waters, the wildlife and lush plant life it supports, and the vibrant communities that call it home. Please renew your membership, visit our offices, and share your copy of Voice of the River with a friend. Join us as we protect our river and our communities.

Kelley Tucker, Executive Director