MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM LAKE GEORGE, NY

DAVE WICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAKE GEORGE PARK COMMISSION A Little Bit About the Lake…

2 Lake George

3 Billion Dollar Regional Economy…

• Millions of visitors to Lake George Region every year

• Primary draw: high quality of the lake and its recreational opportunities

• Economic engine of the entire region What is the Lake George Park Commission?

The Lake George Park Commission is a NYS agency established to oversee and manage the unique resources of the “Lake George Park” especially the lake’s superior water quality.

To do so, the Commission is conveyed special authority and responsibility by State. The Commission’s programs fill critical gaps to ensure the lake’s protection and encourage cooperation among the many public and private entities whose common goal is the lake’s preservation.

5 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES AND LAKE GEORGE

• Currently five known invasive species in Lake George • Eurasian Milfoil • Zebra Mussels • Asian Clams • Curly-leaf Pondweed • Spiny Waterflea

Over $8 million dollars spent on management to date

Annual costs upwards of $1 million

6 WHAT’S OUT THERE?

7 8 Last Body of Water Before Coming to LG

2011 10 11 12 Invasive Species Prevention Plan How do we keep new invasives out of Lake George? Alternatives: • Voluntary Compliance • Self-Certification • Mandatory Inspections • Mandatory Inspection • With after-hours self-certification

• Registration of Non-motorized boats

13 MANDATORY INSPECTIONS WHY IS THIS THE “PREFERRED” ALTERNATIVE?

• Strongest protection for the lake

• Institutes C-D-D Standard • Inhibit juvenile, non-visible species

• Compliance is mandatory, does not rely on “good faith”

14 PUBLIC OUTREACH…

• 76 Public • Media and Meetings… Partners • Chambers of • Newspaper Commerce • Radio (WCKM, • Municipalities WAMC, etc) • Boating groups • TV (6,10,13, YNN) • Many more… • Newsletters (LGPC, LGA, Fund) • Tourism networking • Lots more…

15 16 17 SUPPORT FOR MANDATORY PROGRAM

• Resolutions of Support… • Media/Editorial Boards…

• Warren County Board of Supervisors • Albany • Village of Lake George • Glens Falls Post Star • Town of Lake George • Lake George Mirror • Town of Bolton • Adirondack Journal • Town of Hague • Town of Ticonderoga • Hague Chronicle • Town of Putnam • Schenectady Gazette • Town of Queensbury • Town of Fort Ann • Town of Dresden

• Adirondack Regional Chamber of • Considerable general public support, Commerce hundreds of emails, letters, calls to • Lake George Chamber of Commerce LGPC • Bolton Chamber of Commerce • Hague Chamber of Commerce • Lake George Association • Fund for Lake George • Hague Fish and Game Club

18 HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM WORK?

• All trailered boats entering Lake George must be inspected

• Seven regional inspection stations around lake

• Standard of “Clean, Drained, and Dry” (CDD)

• Decontamination of boats and trailers not meeting C-D-D standard

19 20 HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM WORK?

• Sealed after Inspection and/or decontamination

• When removed from lake, boat secured to trailer

• Upon next return to Lake George, if seal is intact, inspection is not necessary

• If seal is not present (i.e. launched at another lake), new inspection is required

21 • Seven regional inspection stations around Lake George

• 55 inspectors, hired through temp staffing company, overseen by Commission

• Dawn through dusk operation, staffing varies by season WHAT ARE THE COSTS?

One-Time Up Front (300k) • Equipment (trailered decontamination units) • Infrastructure upgrades to inspection sites

Annual (500-550k) • Seasonal Staffing • Materials, equipment repairs

23 FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM

• NYS – Environmental Protection Fund - $300,000

• “SAVE” Group - $300,000 • Warren County • Town of Lake George • Village of Lake George • Town of Bolton • Town of Queensbury • Fund for Lake George • Lake George Association

24 WHAT IS THE IMPACT TO THE BOATING PUBLIC?

• Travel time to inspection site: • 0-10 minutes • Inspection time: • 5-7 minutes • Decon time: • 10-30 minutes

• No additional cost to boater on LG

25 Website: LakeGeorgeBoatInspections.com

• Went live April 1, 2014 • Formatted for computers, cell phones and tablets • Integrated Google Maps, click will provide turn by turn navigation to inspection site • One-stop information center about this program for boaters 26 ANNUAL RESULTS…

• 20,000 total inspections (entrance, exit, and pre- sealed)

• 10,000 full entrance inspections

• 12% decontamination rate (boats not meeting CDD standard)

• 1-2% with visible invasive species on boat or trailer

27 LAKE GEORGE BOAT REGISTRATIONS

17000

16000 Began Mandatory Boat Inspections 15000

14000

13000

12000

11000

10000 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 SUMMARY

• First program of its kind on a large recreational lake in the Eastern US • Two year pilot effort became ‘permanent’ • Startup cost: $300k Annual cost: $500,000

29 Dave Wick Executive Director Lake George Park Commission

Phone: 518-668-9347 Email: [email protected] QUESTIONS ? Websites: www.lgpc.state.ny.us www.lakegeorgeboatinspections.com

Address: 75 Fort George Road PO Box 749 Lake George, NY 12845

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