Taking a Stand for a Wild Adirondack Park

Annual Report 2013-14 Taking a stand to defend the Adirondack Park

Board of Directors Dear Members,

Charles Clusen I know it is spring when I hear the white-throated sparrow’s song with its pensive whistle. Chair It tells me it is time to follow my beloved sparrow from my Washington home to the boreal forests of the Adirondacks, where, weeks later, I will hear the same calls at my Adirondack Sidney Harring camp. It is also time for PROTECT’S annual report. Dale Jeffers Michael Wilson I recently retired from a long career in wilderness and nature preservation, which I seemed Vice-Chairs destined to have pursued. My father taught me his love and understanding of nature, which he in turn learned from a professor of his, Aldo Leopold, an early and important environ- James Long mentalist. Leopold was a forester who went on to develop the fields of wildlife ecology and Secretary environmental ethics, his seminal work being “The Land Ethic.” His vision, passed through my father to me, led me to pursue the wonderful career I did. David Quinn Treasurer After studying natural resource protection at the University of Michigan, I was fortunate to Joshua Axelrod work at the Sierra Club, the Wilderness Society, and the Natural Resources Defense Coun- Nancy Bernstein cil. I continued to be inspired by many significant fathers and mothers of the current environ- John Caffry mental movement. George, Bob, and Jim Marshall, well-known Adirondackers, as well as Dean Cook people like the Murie and Zahniser families, and Sigurd Olson, all worked tirelessly to make Lorraine Duvall possible much of the preserved wilderness as we now know it. It was my privilege to learn Robert Glennon from them. Evelyn Greene Peter Hornbeck The history of the Adirondacks has both inspired wilderness preservation as well as ben- Mark Lawton efited from it. In 1980, wilderness advocates helped pass the Alaska Lands Act, which Charles Morrison protected 100 million acres as national parks and wildlife refuges, adding 56 million acres to Peter O’Shea the National Wilderness System. In my mind, direct inspiration for this and other accomplish- Philip Terrie ments comes from people like Bob Marshall, Howard Zahniser, and others.

Peter Bauer I, too, have followed this inspirational leadership to help save Alaska, the Adirondacks, and Executive Director wilderness areas around the country. After working in the Adirondacks, then moving back to D.C., my wife Gail and I found ourselves longing for the peace and beauty of the Adiron- Annual Report 2013-14 dacks. We now have a camp of our own where we enjoy wilderness first hand. June 2015 Whether paddling on Hoel Pond near our cabin or rafting down the Canning River in the Arc- Published by tic Refuge of Alaska, I often wonder at the wholeness of the scene, brought together in har- Protect the Adirondacks mony, balance, and peace. Aldo Leopold said, “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the PO Box 769 integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” Lake George, NY 12845 We as humans, as destructive as we are with road-building, logging, mining, oil and gas drilling, dam building, over-fishing and hunting, also long for integrity, stability, and beauty. 518.685.3088 [email protected] For me, this “rightness” is one of the greatest rewards in life. And because it is so mean- www.protectadks.org ingful to us, we have a responsibility to keep striving for it. Man’s destruction continues to Like Us on Facebook create new threats, such as acid rain, mercury in our lakes, and now global warming. Our responsibility to preserve the little wilderness we have left is now more critical than ever. Cover picture is Raquette Falls on the Raquette River We urge you not only to support PROTECT, but also to pick up your pen or turn on your computer and send letters and emails to legislators, the governor, DEC, and APA. Fellow PROTECT members, this is our mission: to protect wilderness while we still have it. Please read this annual report and discover all the things PROTECT is doing the save the wilder- ness. Then, please renew or join this quest. Thank you very much!

-- Chuck Clusen, Chair, Board of Directors

2 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Protect the Adirondacks’ Action Map

Protect the Adirondacks works broadly and effectively throughout the Adirondack Park to defend the “forever wild” Forest Preserve, great forests, waters, and wildlife. This map shows action sites over the past year.

Conservation Success Action Site Clearcutting Action Site Invasive Species/Local Laws Action Site Forest Preserve Management Action Site Private Land Development Action Site Water Quality Monitoring Action Site Cougar Watch Sighting

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 3 Program Report

2013-14 saw major program successes

2010 Median Age in U.S. Rural Counties

In the past two years, Protect the Adirondacks has made a 12,000-acre West Stony Creek Wilderness in the southern stand to protect the wildlands, great forests, clean waters, Adirondacks. wildlife and ecological integrity of the Adirondack Park. While we racked up an impressive list of accomplishments One measure of a great park is the quality and abundance since mid-2013, we did not win them all. But we always of its wildlife. In 2014, PROTECT started the Cougar Watch faithfully put protection of the Adirondack environment at project to gather reports of big cats in the Adirondacks. We the top of our list as our chief objective and guiding light. have received and catalogued dozens of cougar sightings from across the Adirondacks. We also worked to oppose These are critical times for the Adirondack Park. Directives the state’s expansion of bobcat hunting and to oppose fed- from Albany to make the Adirondack Park “open for busi- eral efforts to rollback protections for the gray wolf under ness” guide the decisions and priorities of state agencies. the Endangered Species Act. PROTECT believes that the Natural resource protection is a distant secondary consid- Adirondack Park should once again be home to big preda- eration, often ridiculed as getting in the way of progress. tors such as the wolf and cougar. This goal will only hap- It’s against this landslide that PROTECT worked for a wild pen through creative, sustained and principled advocacy. Adirondack Park. State governmental agencies oversee management of the A core part of our work is advocacy to protect existing Adirondack Park in partnership with local governments. Wilderness lands and to create new Wilderness areas. In These bodies make major decisions over public and private December 2013, after a sustained successful campaign, land use across the Adirondacks. PROTECT believes that we saw the creation of the new 23,500-acre Hudson Gorge the natural resources and public Forest Preserve are pro- Wilderness area. In the years ahead, these former industri- tected when decisions are made in public forums. Manage- al logging lands will grow into rich old growth forests in the ment decisions for public lands are always best made in hills and mountains above the whitewater of the Hudson the sunshine of open disclosure. PROTECT manages an River. Dozens of miles of logging roads will be reclaimed active independent public oversight project to monitor the by the forest. In the wake of the new Hudson Gorge Wilder- decisions made by government bodies and to ensure that ness area we launched a new advocacy effort for the new open and transparent processes are followed.

4 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Program Report

Independent public oversight work also takes us out into The map on the top left shows a satellite image of the the field to investigate what’s happening on the ground. new proposed 12,000-acre West Stony Creek Wilderness Last summer, we uncovered and exposed numerous viola- area in the southern Adirondacks. The picture top right is tions of Forest Preserve management by state agencies. a vista from a peak looking west over West Stony Creek. We’re now pressing for resolution of these violations and PROTECT has advocated consistently for Wilderness pro- remediation of areas that experienced degradation. tections and against clearcutting of forests on private and conservation easement lands. PROTECT experienced a setback when we lost our lawsuit that challenged the Adirondack Park Agency’s (APA) ap- We also challenged the popular, yet false narratives that proval of the 6,000-acre Adirondack Club & Resort project. environmental protections have harmed the Adirondack This lawsuit was an attempt to protect the natural re- economy and quality of life. While these charges are prolif- sources of the Adirondacks. We tried to hold state agencies ic, and often unquestioned, there is little data to back them accountable for decisions that will degrade Adirondack for- up. This has allowed a false narrative to develop in the ests, rather than protecting the great forests of the Adiron- Adirondack Park that undermines long-term environmental dack Park. We also went to court to uphold Article 14 of the protection and, even more dangerously, sees community NYS Constitution, the “forever wild” clause. We will con- and economic development professionals chase false tinue to build our case in this lawsuit in the months ahead. remedies. The map in the top left shows U.S. rural coun- This lawsuit is likely to be resolved by the end of 2015. ties shaded by median age. The Adirondacks has been purported as the “second oldest region” in the U.S., yet We made a stand for Adirondack waters. We helped to this map shows places that includes 14 million people in a pass a new statewide law that bans the launching of a boat landscape covering 17% of the U.S. who live in areas as at a public, private or commercial boat launch that may old or older than the Adirondack Park. Rural areas across carry aquatic invasive species. PROTECT is now working the U.S. are home to communities with aging populations with many others to make this law a reality across the Adi- that produce low rates of children. This trend is not unique rondacks by building a network of inspection and decon- to the Adirondacks, but is a reality across rural America. tamination stations. We also proudly continue to manage and grow the largest water quality monitoring program in While PROTECT experienced successes and setbacks the Adirondacks. In partnership with Paul Smith’s Col- over the past two years, we have remained vigilant in our lege, and scores of volunteers and lake associations, we dedication to building a strong organization focused on have expanded the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program grassroots organizing, research, education, advocacy and (ALAP), which studied over 70 lakes and ponds in 2014. legal action.

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Taking a stand against backcountry sprawl subdivisions

Adirondack Club & Resort “great camp” lots arrayed in a backcountry sprawl subdivi- sion design throughout the east side of the project

In the closing weeks of 2014, the New York Court of design for an 1,100-acre subdivision around Woodworth Appeals, the state’s highest court, denied an appeal by Lake in the southern Adirondacks. In this subdivision, hous- Protect the Adirondacks, the Sierra Club and neighboring ing lots were sprawled like a string of Christmas tree lights landowners, to challenge the July 2014 decision by the from one end of the tract to the other. Final approval saw New York Appellate Court, Third Department, that upheld house locations 1.5 miles apart. This will hardly be the last the approval by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for the backcountry sprawl subdivision to be approved. 6,000-acre Adirondack Club & Resort (ACR) development in Tupper Lake. This decision was a major setback for eco- Conservation subdivision design has changed land use logical protections for the Adirondack Park and enshrined a planning over the past 20 years. The APA has had nu- ruinous precedent that will be widely replicated across the merous presentations about it. Conservation subdivision Adirondack Park for backcountry sprawl subdivisions. design is based on advancements in science and land use planning techniques that recognize that the spatial pat- This decision will lead to loss of forest habitat locally in tern of development is fully as, if not more, ecologically Tupper Lake, and in other places across the Adirondack important as its density. Widely scattered development, or Park, as the APA approves similar projects with the same “rural sprawl,” impairs ecosystem function, decreases biotic criteria. This decision opened the doors for degradation of integrity, alters species behavior and composition, increas- intact forestlands and wildlife habitat, which will be spliced es human-wildlife conflicts, fragments ownership, impairs with houses, roads and power lines. These losses will be cohesive land management, undermines the open space irreparable as more areas of the Adirondack Park will expe- character of the Park, and threatens its healthy timber rience loss of ecological integrity. industry. PROTECT is now working to change the APA Act to require that Conservation subdivision design is utilized in Unfortunately, the decision to uphold the ACR approval backcountry developments in the Adirondacks. was widely applauded by Governor Cuomo, state officials, and local government leaders. They see good news in PROTECT went to court to protect Adirondack forests and backcountry sprawl and forest degradation. wildlife habitat degraded by the ACR project, but also to protect forests in future subdivisions that will come before The impact of the APA’s approval of the ACR project and the APA. Backcountry sprawl subdivisions need to be the court’s decision is already evident. In January 2015, repudiated by the APA. PROTECT will continue to oppose the APA approved a new backcountry sprawl subdivision backcountry sprawl subdivisions in the Adirondack Park.

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Taking a stand to uphold Article XIV, the forever wild clause

In defense of Article XIV of the State Constitution, the for- The Department of Environmental Conservation and Adi- ever wild clause, Protect the Adirondacks started a lawsuit rondack Park Agency are building a network of major, in 2013 to challenge the development and construction of road-like class II community connector snowmobile trails a network of “class II community connector snowmobile across many parts of the Forest Preserve. These trails re- trails” across the Forest Preserve. These road-like trails are quire the cutting of thousands of trees, extensive grading built with heavy machinery and equipment, require vast al- to flatten the trail surface, extensive waterbars and drain- terations, and the cutting of thousands of trees in the parts age ditches, bench cuts along the trail side (see picture of the Forest Preserve where they are routed. on top right with a bench cut on the right side), rock re- moval, understory clearing, fracturing and breaking apart To date, the Department of Environmental Conservation bedrock, and construction of oversized bridges. Dozens of (DEC) and APA have approved over 40 miles of these miles of these trails have been built and many more miles trails. Another 25 miles is soon to be approved in the Black are planned. The development and construction of these River Wild Forest area. PROTECT’s lawsuit is focused on trails represent the greatest threat to Article XIV, the forever two principal arguments. First, the vast number of trees wild clause, of the Forest Preserve in the last 40 years. that are cut down and destroyed to make these trails. On the 12-mile Seventh Lake Mountain Trail in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest area over 2,000 trees 3 inches in Help support the defense of diameter at breast height (DBH) or higher were chopped down along with tens of thousands of smaller trees. The Forever Wild second argument is focused on the vast alteration of the Forest Preserve terrain to build these trails. The State PROTECT is fundraising to raise $25,000 to help Constitution requires that Forest Preserve lands be “forever with our defense of Article XIV, Section 1, the kept as wild forest lands.” Whereas hiking trails remain famed “forever wild” clause, of the State Con- narrow and are built to follow the terrain of the land, class II stitution. The Adirondack Forest Preserve is in community connector trails require extensive grading, wid- the midst of the largest expansion of motorized ening, and bench cuts into the trail sides. These trails also use in its history. We need your help to protect require extensive rock removal, tree cutting, understory the Forest Preserve and uphold “forever wild” in removal and construction of bridges capable of holding a several ton trail groomer. These actions constitute a viola- management of public use. There’s more informa- tion of the forever wild clause of the State Constitution. tion in the article above. Please use the envelope enclosed or see information on the back cover to This is a high stakes lawsuit where the future of the Forest make a contribution today. Thank you. Preserve hangs in the balance.

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Major changes loom for Forest Preserve management

Major changes loom in 2015 for management of the “for- in 1987. The SLMP has been amended dozens of times ever wild” Forest Preserve. These changes could be far- for classifications of new Forest Preserve lands. Given reaching and fundamentally change the way that the Forest the rareness of SLMP policy revisions, there is a pent up Preserve is managed and how it is enjoyed by the public demand across the political spectrum of the Adirondacks for various outdoor recreational experiences. PROTECT for major policy changes. PROTECT certainly sees ways has actively monitored and intervened in this process, in which the SLMP could be changed to improve manage- which is likely to continue through the next few years. ment of the Forest Preserve and other state lands, but we’re concerned about many ideas for enhanced motor At the end of 2013, the APA and DEC started a process to vehicle access and weakening of Wilderness protections. revise the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (SLMP) by stating it would examine possible revisions to expand In the summer of 2014, PROTECT called upon the APA to the types of building materials for Forest Preserve bridges undertake SLMP reform in an open and transparent pro- and whether to allow mountainbikes on roads in areas cess where the ideas of all stakeholders would be heard. In classified as Primitive. Since that time, the APA invited the its past, the APA has conducted some admirably open pub- public to comment and provide ideas about other policy lic hearing processes where major policy decisions were revisions to the SLMP. The APA has not yet published a list debated and decided in public forums. Unfortunately, the of issues, a timetable for action, or detailed the total scope APA also has a history of making major decisions behind of its plans for policy changes to the SLMP. closed doors or despite overwhelming opposition in public comments. The SLMP was initially passed in 1973 and in the last 40 years has seen policy revisions twice, first in 1979 and then The APA responded to PROTECT’s call by organizing a

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series of public “listening sessions” across the Adirondacks Major changes are being considered through revision in the fall of 2014. These meetings were well attended and of the SLMP. A hiking trail in a Wilderness area is on the hundreds of recommendations were made to APA staff. lefthand page. Many are calling for allowing mountain- The APA summarized these comments in a 30-page docu- biking on trails in Wilderness areas. Right now they are ment released to the public and then began stakeholder limited to trails in Wild Forest areas. meetings with various local government leaders, user groups, environmental and business groups. The picture in the top left shows a road in the Long Pond Conservation Easement lands where ATVs are allowed. In early 2015, PROTECT called upon the APA to fully re- PROTECT is advocating for formal APA oversight on state search different policy change options. Many changes are held conservation easement lands. Top right shows a trail being advocated with only anecdotal evidence. PROTECT managed for backcountry cross-country skiing. Many believes that policy changes should be made with good skiers are calling for new management policies to formally data and analysis based on actual Forest Preserve condi- manage skiing areas through limited tree cutting in Wilder- tions and public recreational use. ness and Wild Forest areas. The picture in the lower left shows the Polaris Bridge over the Hudson River that is part Reform of the SLMP in 2015 marks a major moment in For- of the new Finch-Nature Conservancy lands purchased by est Preserve history. Governor Cuomo has shown a man- the state. The state wants to retain this bridge, though it agement preference to divide the Forest Preserve among violates SLMP requirements and the Wild, Scenic and Rec- different users irrespective of natural resource protections reational Rivers Act. Lower right is a picture of a former and his agencies have dutifully followed. PROTECT will be logging road in the new Essex Chain Lakes Primitive area. vigilant in our advocacy to protect the Forest Preserve. Many are calling for mountainbiking on these roads.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 9 Program Report

Forest Preserve protections and management PROTECT’s field work finds numerous violations of

When most people visit the Forest Preserve they’re seek- the forest. Such damage is long-lasting and state enforce- ing wild experiences in beautiful places. Many areas of the ment is limited. Damage to the Forest Preserve from illegal “forever wild” Forest Preserve, both Wilderness and Wild ATV use continues to be a major problem on the Forest Forest areas, offer timeless opportunities where wild places Preserve. remain beautiful and preserved. Visitors depend on the Forest Preserve to remain constant where the same wild The Black River Wild Forest area in the western Adiron- experience can be had decades apart despite the cease- dacks is also home to the curious case of the Chub Pond less changes of the world around us. Lean-to. This lean-to was extensively modified and, in essence, converted to a private cabin. The interior of the During the summer field season of 2014, Protect the Adi- lean-to had been outfitted bunk beds, counters, shelves, a rondacks surveyed various Forest Preserve units to exam- gas stove, trash can, and with tables and chairs. The lean- ine the state of public recreational opportunities. We were to has two skylights and a chimney where the wood stove alarmed to find significant continued trespass of All Terrain is attached. A gas powered lawn mower is stored on site Vehicles (ATVs) in many parts of the Forest Preserve, and used to mow an open field. There are numerous viola- roads still open that state policies required to be closed, tions of Forest Preserve laws and regulations by the parties and a lean-to turned into a private hunting camp complete involved. It appeared that regional staff at the Department with gas stoves and bunk beds. of Environmental Conservation turned a blind eye to these activities for years. PROTECT’s report inspired an investi- PROTECT’s field work found signs of ATV damage in the gation by state agencies that is ongoing. Ferris Lake and Black River Wild Forest areas. Roads and trails were widely rutted with new routes blazed through PROTECT also investigated two roads in Wilderness areas

10 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Program Report

that remain open to motor vehicles despite decisions and The picture on the lefthand page shows damage from policies that require that they be closed. The continued ATV use incurred through illegal public use or from a state use of these roads has led to widespread environmental search and rescue operation on the Gull Lake Trail in the damage and the spread of invasive species. Both the West Black River Wild Forest area. The Department of Environ- River Road in the Silver Lake Wilderness Area and the mental Conservation has not stated whether it will remedi- Crane Pond Road in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area ate damaged areas. The picture above in the top left is the violate existing laws and regulations. Both roads should end of the West River Road in the Silver Lake Wilderness. have been closed years ago. State agencies were supposed to develop a plan to close this road four years ago. The top right picture shows more PROTECT’s field work in the summer of 2014 showed the ATV damage from illegal use on the Forest Preserve. The need for an extensive survey of the Forest Preserve and a picture on the bottom right shows the Chub Pond lean-to new system for the public to report Forest Preserve viola- that was modified as a private camp with a woodstove, tions. PROTECT has now organized a Forest Preserve gas stove/oven, bunk beds and large quantity of stored Violations reporting system on our website. We will cata- supplies. The picture in the lower left shows a large mud logue and investigate new reports and if we find violations pit in a wetland area on the Crane Pond Road that de- we will notify state agencies. PROTECT will also continue graded in the summer of 2014 to the point where many to advocate that state agencies resolve these violations. cars and trucks got stuck. This road was ordered closed by state agencies 20 years ago, an action upheld by the Protection of the Forest Preserve is at the core of PRO- courts, yet this road in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness area TECT’s work. The Forest Preserve faces many challenges continues to be open and used by motor vehicles. The and public vigilance is needed to help protect it. DEC illegally filled the wetland with gravel last fall.

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Clean water action is vital to the future of the Adirondacks

Salt pollution takes its toll across the Adirondack Park

Road salt continues to be a major problem in the Adi- ron- dacks, but is getting some action. PROTECT’s ALAP data was used in a parkwide report by the Adirondack Water- shed Institute that showed the extent of road salt pollution across the Park. Lake George researchers have have tracked a 300% increase in salt levels. PROTECT is work- ing with other groups to identify alternative winter road clearing methods and treatments.

Sustainable, increased funding needed to combat aquatic invasive species infestations in the Adirondacks

PROTECT was on the forefront of advocacy to pass a new law in New York that bans the launching of boats that may have aquatic invasive species (AIS) at public, private and commercial boat launches. The regulations to fully implement this law will not be ready until the fall of 2015. In the wake of the successful mandatory boat control program on Lake George, PROTECT is now working with a variety of partners to organize a Park-wide boat inspec- tion and decontamination program to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. PROTECT is also advocating for a surcharge on motorboat registrations to provide a sustainable funding source for AIS control.

Blue Mountain Lake Steward protects Forest Preserve islands and surveys for aquatic invasive species

The Blue Mountain Lake Steward is a project managed by PROTECT in partnership with the Blue Mountain Water- Watch group. The purpose of this program is for the Lake Steward to monitor public use of the campsites and day use areas on the islands and north shore of Blue Mountain Lake so that these sensitive natural resources are pro- tected and enjoyed for the long-term. The Lake Steward explains Forest Preserve rules to campers about things such as no tree cutting. The Lake Steward also monitors Blue Mountain Lake for the presence of aquatic invasive Emmy Held worked as the Blue Mountain Lake Steward in species (AIS) and inspects the entire littoral zone of the the summer of 2014. lake each year.

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PROTECT completes 17 years of water quality monitoring

Protect the Adirondacks has long recognized the threats to water quality throughout the Adirondack Park, largely a consequence of intensive shoreline development and stormwater pollution from roads. 2014 saw completion of the 17th year of the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP), a “citizen science” water quality monitoring project jointly managed in a partnership between PROTECT and the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI) at Paul Smith’s College. PROTECT manages the water sampling by doz- ens of volunteers. AWI developed the scientific protocol used by volunteers, analyzes the samples and compiles the reports, which are posted on the PROTECT website. Most of the lakes and ponds that are monitored are done so through a lake association or community group. Corey Laxson, a scientist at the Adirondack Watershed Established in 1998, ALAP has grown to one of the largest, Institute, in the laboratory at Paul Smith’s College. Picture most professional, volunteer driven water quality monitor- courtesy of the Adirondack Watershed Institute. ing programs in the Adirondack Park. Under ALAP, over 70 lakes and ponds were studied in 2014. ALAP tests for a and lake associations about short- and long-term water variety of leading water quality parameters including pH, al- quality trends. kalinity, calcium, calcite saturation index, total phosphorus, cholorophyll-a, Secchi disk transparency, nitrate, chloride, There are openings in 2015 to enroll your lake or pond. For conductivity, color, aluminum, and dissolved oxygen. Re- more information about how to enroll a lake or pond go to sults from analysis of these parameters inform volunteers PROTECT’s website at www.protectadks.org. Lakes and Ponds Enrolled in the Adirondack Lakes Assessment Program

Adirondack Lake Follensby Clear Pond Middle Saranac Lake Sprague’s Pond Amber Lake Garnet Lake Mirror Lake Star Lake Arbutus Pond Great Sacandaga Lake Moss Lake Stony Creek Ponds Auger Lake Gull Pond Mountain View Lake Sylvia Lake Austin Pond Hewitt Lake Nick’s Lake Thirteenth Lake Balfour Lake Hoel Pond Oseetah Lake Tripp Lake Big Moose Lake Indian Lake (Fran. County) Osgood Pond Trout Lake Blue Mountain Lake Indian Lake (Ham. County) Otter Pond Trout Pond Brandreth Lake Jordan Lake Oven Mountain Pond Tupper Lake Brant Lake Kiwassa Lake Paradox Lake Twitchell Lake Buckhorn Pond Lake Abanakee Perch Pond Upper Cascade Lake Bullhead Pond Lake Colby Pine Lake Upper Chateaugay Lake Canada Lake Lake Durant Pleasant Lake Upper St. Regis Lake Carry Falls Reservoir Lake Easka Polliwog Pond White Lake Catlin Lake Lake Eaton Raquette Lake Windfall Pond Chapel Pond Lake Flower Rich Lake Wolf Lake Chazy Lake Lake of the Pines Rock Lake Zach Pond Cranberry Lake Lake Ozonia Rollins Pond Deer Lake Lake Tekeni Rondaxe Lake (reports are available online at Dug Mountain Pond Lake Titus Sagamore Lake PROTECT’s website) Eagle Lake Lens Lake Schroon Lake Echo Pond (Essex County) Little Long Lake Second Pond Egg Pond Long Pond Seventh Lake Eli Pond Loon Lake (Town of Franklin) Sherman Lake Fern Lake Lower Chateaugay Lake Silver Lake Fifth Lake Lower Saranac Lake Simon Pond Fish Creek Pond Lower St. Regis Lake Snowshoe Pond Floodwood Pond Middle Pond Spitfire Lake

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Protection of wildlife is vital to a great park

Proposed and Current Fisher Management Zones in New York Picture by Sue Morse Sue by Picture

Wildlife management in New York State has become highly predictable. The common theme in new wildlife manage- The map above shows proposed fisher hunting areas. ment plans enacted by the NYS Department of Environ- Light green are current areas, dark green are areas mental Conservation (DEC) is that “harvests” are always proposed for new fisher trapping seasons. increased for fur bearing animals. This was the case with bobcats (Lynx rufus) and black bears (Ursus amaericanus), and is now happening in the draft plan for fishers (Martes DEC has built a program on pelt price management for pennanti). Another theme is that New York has zero inter- bobcats, completely ignoring the importance that bobcats est in reintroduction of top predators, such as the gray wolf hold as a major predator in the various complex ecosys- (Lupus canis) or cougar (Puma concolor). The DEC has tems of New York. The DEC projected that there are 5,000 long been sporting the slogan that “New York is Open for bobcats in New York and in the first expanded hunting Hunting and Fishing” but has not investigated strategies season in 2013-14, 663 bobcats were hunted across the around wildlife watching tourism. state, roughly 13% of the state’s population.

In 2013, PROTECT opposed implementation of the Man- For black bears planning was much the same. The DEC agement Plan for Bobcat in New York State 2012-2017 estimates that there are 6,000-8,000 black bears in New because it was not based on a “scientifically sound” study York, with 50-60% living in the Adirondack Park, 30-35% of the state’s bobcat population, as required by the DEC in the Catskills, 10-15% across central and western New Bureau of Wildlife’s own mission statement. The DEC York. Hunting levels were expanded outside the Adiron- concluded that since more bobcats were being trapped, the dacks and Catskills. state’s bobcat population must be higher. The DEC study only solicited trappers and small game hunters to gain In the current draft fisher management plan, the DEC preliminary input regarding the future management of the recommends to expand hunting in many other parts of bobcat species. The DEC never correlated the increase in New York. Fisher hunting levels peaked in 2006 when over the number of bobcats trapped to record high prices being 3,000 animals were taken. DEC estimates that there are paid for bobcat pelts. over 20,000 fishers across the state. A final plan is likely within the next few months that codifies expanded fisher This is simply bad science. There can be no question that hunting across New York. there are scientific methods that wildlife experts use to col- lect data on bobcats, such as motion sensor camera traps, PROTECT believes that the return of top predators, such live cage traps to provide evidence of predator/prey inter- as the gray wolf and cougar, should be studied thoroughly actions and population changes before making such deter- by the State of New York. The importance of these species minations on population control by hunting and trapping. to complex ecosystems like the Adirondack Park has long Similar strategies are being employed by other states such been understood. The question of the return of these spe- as New Jersey, and with great success. Yet, in New York cies deserves a complete and open vetting by top scien- no serious bobcat population study was undertaken. The tists from across the U.S.

14 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Program Report

2015 Annual Meeting at Paul Smith’s VIC on July 5th. Register today.

Special Guest: Christopher Spatz, Cougar Rewilding Foundation

PROTECT is excited to announce that our 2015 annual meeting will be held at the Paul Smith’s Visitors Interpretive Center on Sunday July 5th starting at 9:30 AM.

Invitations and information have been mailed. You can also sign up on- line at www.protectadks.org. The business meeting will start at 10:00 AM, including new Board members, financial report, and a program report. PROTECT is pleased to feature Christopher Spatz from the Cougar Rewilding Foundation who will speak about the viability of the return of these big cats to the Adirondack Park. Refreshments and lunch will be served. Guided hikes and canoe trips nearby will also be organized. PROTECT welcomes three new members to the Board of Directors

Protect the Adirondacks was very pleased to welcome three new members of our Board of Directors who started new 3-year terms of service in 2014. They each bring a great deal of knowledge, passion, and skills to their volunteer work to defend the natural resources of the Adirondacks as new members of PROTECT’s Board of Directors.

Philip Terrie, Ph.D, splits his time between Ithaca, New York and his camp on Long Lake. Phil is emeritus professor of American Culture Studies, English, and Environmental Studies at Bowling Green State University, where he taught classes in American environmental and cultural history and American literature. He is the former Assistant Curator at the Adirondack Museum. He is the author of Con- tested Terrain: A New History of Nature and People in the Adirondacks and Forever Wild: A Cultural History of Wilderness in the Adirondacks and numerous other writings. He is a regular contributor to the Adirondack Explorer. He is a 46-er and enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and birding.

James Long lives on Canada Lake in the Town of Caroga. James is a consultant in psychophysiology. He enjoys bushwhacking, hiking and cross-country skiing in the southern Adirondacks. He is co-author of the second edition of 50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley and monitors Canada Lake for the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program.

C. Mark Lawton lives Saratoga Springs and also spends time in his yurt in Essex. Mark is retired from a long career where he helped establish the Federal Appala- chia Program and served as Director of Development for the City of Alexandria VA; NYS assembly ways and means budget/policy analyst; NYS Constitutional Convention staff; President of the Commission of Independent Colleges and Uni- versities of NY. He served on the Charter Review Commission of Saratoga Springs and the Urban Forest Committee of Saratoga Springs.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 15 Acknowledgment of Donors 2013-2014

General Support Lorraine Duvall and Bruce Berra Herman Baruth Robert Gialanella Harold Bauer $5,000 and more Don and Evelyn Greene Peter Bauer and Cathleen Collins Anne and Robert Jeffrey Dick Beamish Charles Clusen and Gail Curran Jocelyn Jerry Nancy Beekman The F.M. Kirby Foundation Diana and William Knox Foundation Frederick Beinecke Charles Morrison David Kurtz David Belden The Overhills Foundation Mark and Holly Lawton Francis Belge The Prospect Hill Foundation Elizabeth McNulty Edward and Emily Belt Edward Petty Merle Melvin Edythe and Chuck Bennett David and Deborah Quinn Richard and Barbara Moore Lynn Bennett The Walbridge Fund Adelia Moore and Thomas Gerety Richard and Suzanne Benton Barry Oreck and Jessica Niccoll John and Pamela Benz $1,000 - $4,999 Frances Shapiro Gordon and Martha Bergsten John Sullivan William Berner Adirondack Foundation Lawrence Waterhouse Peter and Chrysanthi Bien John Brothers Peter Biesemeyer Bob and Marigold Bischoff $1 - $499 Robert Biesemeyer Judy and Frederick Buechner Big Moose Property Owners Association John and Ellen Collins Derrek Aaron Aaron and Anne Bigalow Bonnie Cook John Abbuhl Florance Bigelow Dean and Terrina Cook Paul Abess Ned and Emily Bigelow GE Foundation Ernest and Kathleen Abrahamson Katharine Preston and John Bingham Jack and Susie Delehanty Kurt Abrahamson L. Ann Bish Richard and Leanna DeNeale Walt Adams and Marisa Muratori Carolyn Bishop Robert and Trinidad Gilmore Neal and Linda Adams Susan Blakeney Robert and Michalene Glennon Libby Adelman Jim Blaydon Barbara Glaser Adirondack 46ers Mary Blocklin Jerrier and Carol Haddad Virginia and Michael Adler Kathie Bogert Sid and Michelle Harring Leif Ahrens Leon Borden and Catherine Porter-Borden Bob and Leslie Harrison Frank and Jane Alessandrini Peter and Jane Borrelli Walt and Jean Hayes Jane Alpert and Foster DeJesus Thomas and Alana Both Nancy Hays Erasmus Ambrosino Bruce and Patricia Bothwell Theodore and Joan Hullar Woody and Cynthia Andrews Harold Boyce Dale Jeffers Burt Angrist Elinor and Patrick Brady Eric Johanson Ann and Ralph Arend Paul and Grace Brady Emilie Kane Joseph and Ann Armstrong John and Kathleen Braico James McMartin Long Mary Ashmead Bob Brand Peter Paine, Jr. Paul and Hetty Auburn Richard Brandt and Ellen Beberman Larry and Wendy Rockefeller Karen Azer Claudia and Ryan Braymer John and Sharon Sayles Timothy Backhurst Harvey Breakstone Harold and Carol Shippey John and Ro Bailo Eric Bright Joan Sinnott Paul and Anne Bakeman Craig Broderick Kenneth and Joanne Strike Judith Baker Melinda Broman Phyllis Thompson Margaret Baldwin Nancy Brooks Elizabeth and Edward Thorndike John Balint Elaine Brophy Burns Weston Robert and Elizabeth Ball Eleanor Brown Michael Wilson and Beverly Bridger Denise Erickson and James Bark Kellum Smith and Angela Brown Joan Barker Susan Moody and Alan Brown $500 - $999 Harriet Barlow David Bruen James and Carolyn Barnshaw Rolf Brynilsen Frances Beinecke and Paul Elston John Barr Jean Bub Jeff and Sherri Bergsten Nicholas Barr Bob and Nancy Buckley Nancy Bernstein Currie Barron Alice Tepper Erik Bisso Kathyrn Barry Douglas Burgess

16 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Randall Burkard Janice Corr Daniel Egan Jeanne Butler William Corrigan Styra Eisinger Susan Butler Timothy and Robin Costas Eileen Eldred John and Elsie Butterworth Carole Couch John and Kathy Eldridge Dean and Janice Butts Robert and Mary Courtemanche Louise Elliott Rick and Ellen Butz John Coy Craig and Jill Emblidge John Caffry Rich Crammond Michael Emelianoff Helen Cairns Arthur Crotty Helen Engelhardt Dick Camarra Ronald and Sheila Cuccaro Christina Erickson Patti Gillespie and Kenneth Cameron Richard and Monique Cunningham Michael and Joanne Esposito Michael Trister and Nancy Campbell Pierre and Carolyn Cyr Steven Etkind Kevin and Silvia Camson James Dannenberg Marti Evanoff Harrison Caner Robert Davis Stanford Pulrang and Kathyrn Evans Mike Capage George and Anita Davis David and Catherine Fant Marci and Rick Caplan John and Susan Davis Martin and Susan Farber James Carl John Robert Davis and Denise Wilson-Davis J.P. and Mary Beth Fasano Lorraine and Richard Carlson John Davis Jay and Dorothy Federman David and Lucy Carson Chad Dawson John Fenaroli Brian Castler and Katherine Duffendack Robin and Terry de Armas Peter Fish Daniel Catlin Marilyn De Leon Bob Fisher and Bibi Wein Dick and Barbara Catlin David Dearborn Timothy Fitzgerald Denis and Judith Caysinger Joy and Frank Death Harvey and Mary Flad Denis and Brita Chagnon William Decker John Flagg Anya Bickford and Doug Chamberlain Robert and Marion Dedrick Tom Flatley William Chamberlain Mary DeGarmo John and Jackie Flickinger Carol and Bill Charping Rev. Christopher DeGiovine Tessa Sage Flores Richard Chase Michael Degiulio Perry Smith and Roseanne Fogarty Sherret and Kenney Chase Rudy Dehn Laurence Fogelson Nick and Lorraine Chiorazzi William and Sara Jane DeHoff Connie and Wen Fong Ronald and Holly Chorba Charlcie A. Delehanty Debra and David Foote Georgeina Christie Andrew Dellipaoli Margaret Ford Jeanette Christoff Mary Denn Nancy and Drew Forhan Annmarie Cipollo Linda DeStefano Thomas and Susan Forrest Gregory Clark John Dey James Fosshage Lee Clark Joanne Diamantis Esty and Barbara Foster Lizbeth Clark Noel and Wes Dingman Jill Fox William and Nan Clarkson Mike DiNunzio Andrew Francis Frank Clemente Betsy E. Dirnberger Frank Franco Laurie Milnyczuk Close Emmett Dockery Alex Frank and Stacey Mandelbaum Linda Cohen Kathryn Donaldson Rella Frantzis James DuMond and Lisa Cole Jacqueline Donnelly Stephen Frauenthal Alan Cole and Louise Trevillyan Faith Donovan and David West Paul Frederick Joan Collins Kevin Donovan Jack and Tillie Freeman John and Elizabeth Collins Joseph Dorn John and Claire Fulco Patricia Collins John W. Douglas, Jr. Keith and Terry Fulmer Sarah Collins Bernice and Ed Douglas William Gambert Thad Collum Nancy Douglas Nancy and Bill Gardiner Donald and Donna Colosimo Thelma Douglas William Garretson Harry Colwell Mary Lou Doulin John and Janet Garrett William Coman George Doyle William and Dorothy Gay Andy Coney John and Christina Doyle Nelson and Mary Gelfman Joe and Rita Coney Earl and Anne Dressel Carl George Francis Coppa John Dropp Ellen Egan George Jeffrey Corbin and Janette Schue Dennis Duffy Ellie and Cal George Henry Corey Edward and Mary Earl Madelyn Gewinner Shirley Cornish Eva Eaton Joanne Gianniny

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 17 Acknowledgment of Donors 2013-2014

Craig Gilborn Mary Heldmann Roy Keats Robert and Claire Gilmore Nancy Henk Timothy Kelley Robert and Trinidad Gilmore Tom and Margaret Hickey Richard Kempes and Deborah Hecker Ernest and Lynne Giraud Hans Himelein and Janice Kyle Ruth Kerr Diane and Richard Gleave Robert Hindman Jean Keskulla Fred and Gloria Gleave Michael Hodgman Kevin Kilgallen James Goetz Edward Hoe Margaret and Henry Kinosian James Goff John and Susan Hoekstra Elizabeth Kirchner Neil and Jane Golub Daniel Hoffman Charles and Patricia Van Kirk Harry Good James and Eileen Hoffman Howard Kirschenbaum Georgia Gosnell Donald Holcomb Harold Klein Polly and Peter Gott Ronald Hollister Nancy Knaggs Martin Graetz Neil Holtzman Andrew Knox Ann Graff Peter and Ann Hornbeck Nelle Knox John and Lina Grandin Anna Zec William Koebbeman Scott Gray Glenn Howard Bart and Julie Koehler Doug and Pattie Gray Alex Howard Martin and Phyllis Korn Roger and Monica Gray Gordon Howard John Kosticky Paul and Ellen Grebinger Herb and Nancy Hudnut Jr. Ellen Kreitler Elizabeth Greene Norma Hudson Richard and Patricia Krogmann Nancy Greene David Hughes Bruce Krug Alan Gregory Joyce Hundley Ruth Kuhfahl Denise Griffin Susan Hunter Lars Kulleseid John Grillo Jeffrey and Karyn Hurley John and Karen Kuzma James and Sarah Grossman Catherine and John Huther Elizabeth and Paige L’Hommedieu Dolores and Joseph Grupp Jim and Sheila Hutt George Labalme Rick Guior and Barbara Frank Christopher Hyson Ken Laboski Arthur Haberl Winifred Hyson Susan Lacy Andy and Judy Hadjandreas Joan Ipsen John LaGraff Dawn and Robert Haines Gerald and Irit Magnes Peggy Kennelly and Patrick LaMaster James and Sharon Hall Howard and Mary Jack Judith Landes Bob and Charlotte Hall Kenneth and Carol Jackman William Landmesser Christian and Helen Haller Elizabeth Jacobsen Douglas and Arlene Langdon George and Marcia Halloran Charles Jenkins Nancy Langham Lois and Conrad Hamerman Chris Jerome Rose Lansbury Cynthia Hamilton Danielle Jerry and Bob Platte Carl Snyder and Barbara Lapidus Ewa and Leon Hammer Jocelyn Jerry Ronald Larsen Cheryl Hanes Steven Jervis Lori and Brett Larson Elizabeth Hanke John Johanson Fuat Latif Pam Hanke Jane Johngren Chip and Gayle Lawrence Carol Jean Hardy Conrad Johnson Gregory Lawrence Susan Hardy Douglas Johnson Susan and Robert Leach Margaret McKelvey and William Harkins William Johnson John and Alice Leddy Ed Harstead Deborah Jondela Phillip and Charlotte Lefton Jeb Hart Gilbert Jones Donald and Audrey Lehn John and Teresa Hart Henrietta Jordan Douglas and Carol Leith Walter Hartmann Manasi Joshi Meredith Leonard Katherine Armstrong and Chet Harvey Eugene and Carolyn Kaczka Judith and Edwin Deane Leonard Dick and Joy Harvey Charles Kahrs Frank and Alethe Lescinsky Joan and Alan Hasselwander Michael Kane and Kay Scharoun Jeffrey and Amy Levinn Gary Baker and Deborah Havas Seth and Laurel Kane Robert and Jane Lewit Philip Hawkes-Teeter Stephen Kapner William Lewit James Hawley Marion Karl Peter Leyh John Heimerdinger David Katz and Marilyn Murphy Jerry and Sharon Lieberman Craig Heindel and Judy Chaves Richard Kazis and Jill Medvedow Otto Liepin

18 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Herb Lightner Karen Meltzer Peter O’Shea Richard and Susan Linn Bernice Mennis Peter Oberdorf Peter Littlefield and Elaine Yabroudy Sandy Mercaldi Sue and Gordon Oehser John Livezey Bob Meyers Robert and Stephanie Olmsted Lynn and Robert Livingston Brian Meyers David Ellison and Carolyn Olsen Martha Loew Ellen Meyers John and Susan Omohundro Joseph Logan Roy and Deborah Meyers Mary Ann Ondrako George Lordi Constance Miller Gerald Ortiz Andrew Love Constance Miller Keri O’Shea Nicholas and Cathy Lozoponi Edward and Noel Miller Don Ostrom Beth Lucia Edward Miller Patricia Packer Lynn Marsh Howard and Karen Miller Nancy Page Ms. Lynn Paul Miller and Karen Perez Susan Angell and Timothy Palmer Eileen Egan Mack Jacqueline Milligan Ted and Nancy Palmer Ted Mack Michael Moccio David Pandori Tim Engel and Ivy Main Joane Molenock and Dan Karig Frederick and Virginia Parker Raymond and Patricia Mainer Frank and Judy Molitor Kathleen Parrish John and Jackie Mallery Paul Monroe Vincent Passarelli Paul and Helen Mallon Willem and Margreet Monster Bernard and Marie Patten Gerald and Madeline Malovany Gerald Monto Paula Perlmutter Jean Mangun Tim Moody Mark Perreault Lawrence Manion Ann Moore Nancy Peterson Martin and Elnora Manjak William Morehouse Peter J. Pettibone Robert and Tomoko Manning Dr. Jeffrey Morgan Kenneth Phelps Mark Manske Lisa and Richard Morlock Mark Phillips Charles Mara and Jill MacDonald Don Morreall Edith Pilcher Dan Marazita Brother Morris Henry and Patricia Pildner Cathy and Ron Marczyk Rick and Anne Morse Robert and Sonja Poe Michael and Mary Louise Marien Samuel and Joyce Moulthrop William Pollak Steven Markel Daniel and Theresa Muccia Ann Poole J. Langdon Marsh Joanne Mullen Gene Porter Bob and Linda Marshall Tom Mullen Edward Post Roger Marshall John and Janet Mulvey Michael and Gail Potter David and Sandra Martin Susan Murante Lorraine Ruffing and Beverly Pozzi Thomas Massoth Michael and Marianne Murphy Ralph and Bernadette Prata Lawrence Master Robert Murphy and Cynthia Rye Michael Prescott and Cookie Barker William and Margaret Mather Adirondack Museum Library Seymour Preston Mollie Matteson Martin Myers Helga Prichard Hester and Andrew McCarthy Normand and Jeanette Nadeau Edward Prince Noreen McCarthy Bernhardt Nadell Sir or Madam Jim and Carol McCord George and Margo Nagle William and Barbara Pulsifer John McCreight G.G. Neffinger Ronald and Linda Pushee Bill and Theresa McCutcheon Carol Vericker Jonathan and Wendy Putnam David T. McDonald Rick and Jill Nelson Linda Putnam John and Jan McEneny Christopher Neuzil Tarrant and Mary Ann Putnam Melinda McIlwaine David and Laurel Newman Catherine Quinn William and Elizabeth McInerney Harry Newton David Quist Robert and Bliss McIntosh Nancy Noel Daniel Radosh Richard and Carol McKeever Yves and Elaine Nollet Everett Ramos Matthew McKenna Harvey Noordsy Chrissy Raudonis Donald McLaughlin Basil and Johanna Northam Joel Ray Robert McLean Edmund Northup Curtis Read Barton and Priscilla McLean Toni Norton Jim Reagan Jean McNeil John Nuzum John and Barbara Rees Pamela Aall and Charles McPherson Jane O’Connell Edward Reese Carol Meisel Rose Marie O’Leary Elizabeth Reid

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 19 Acknowledgment of Donors 2013-2014

Arthur Reidel Jeffrey and Liliane Sherman Naomi Tannen and Joe Mahay Kathleen Reilly Cynthia Clusen Sherwood Mark and Mary Tanski Paul and Rosemary Reiss Linda Shuster and Bill Wonderlin Edward Taylor John and Sandra Reschovsky Robert Shwajlyk Eric Teed James and Carol Richer Ann and Jim Sidford Dr. Clifford and Cynthia Tepper Wayne Richter Ernest Siladi Philip Terrie John Riebesell Loron and Antonene Silliman Richard and Patricia Terry Mark and Bettyan Rinefierd Lenton and Barbara Simms Jean Testa John and Margaret Ringer Howard and Martha Simonin Spencer Thew Robert and Helen Ringlee Alexander and Mary Ann Simpson Barbara Thomas James and Nancy Rissler Jean Singer John Thomas Larry and Joyce Ritchie Theresa and Robert Singley Philip Thomas Minney and Ted Robb Gary Dreiblatt and Nancy Sinkoff Kip Thompson Kenneth and Jane Robbins Richard Sise Muriel and Enos Throop Nicholas A. Robinson John Skorpen Maury and Nancy Tigner Donald Rodbell Nancy and Glen Slack Marie Tillie Linda Roesner David and Elise Smith Samuel and Mimi Tilton Peter Rohr David and Janet Smith Derrick Tingley William Aaron Rohrbach Hubbard and Linda Smith Will and Caper Tissot Robert Ropell Laura Dikovsky Smith Emily Tobias Lewis and Sheila Rosenberg Mary Smith Jon Tobiessen Barbara Rosenfield Bill and Cathy Smith Phyllis Tortora Dwight and Ruth Rosenstein Elias and Roslyn Socolof Jon and Luann Toussaint Karen and Jeffrey Ross Barry Soicher Donna and Edward Trautwein-Welch George and Ingrid Rothbart Mark Sotsky Don and Donna Traver Elizabeth Rothe James and Laurie Speer Richard Tucker Richard Jarvis and Barbara Rottier Lester Speiser Stephen and Marna Tulin Brian and Ginny Ruder Peter and Heidi Marie Spencer Michael and Karen Tuman John Rugge Robert and Karen Spencer Emily Tyner Edwin Russell John and Margaret Sperling Bill and Mary Ughetta James and Jeanne Ryan Donald Spieler Leonard F. Urschel Jack and Mary Ellen Ryder David Spingarn Ellen Koch and George Utley Christine and Richard Salmon Ronald Spitzer Anne Vaccaro Steve Samuell Stephen and Harmony Spongberg Barbara Van Buren Jacqueline Sandler Stephen and Barbara Spring Joseph Van Gelder Marilyn Sargent and Constance Dodge Dave Cilley Frederick and Constance Vanacore Peter and Sarah Saulson Ed and Heather Stafford Annalisa and Peter VanAvery Leo Sawyer David Staszak Peter and Becky VanDeWater Michael Scarafile Martha Stavish Susan VanDorn Seymour and Geraldine Scher Hank Stebbins Hubert Velepec Vincenza and Thom Schiera Gordon Stevens and Gislaine Jouanneau Abbie Verner Daniel Schneider Gustav Stewart Geoffrey Porter and Carla Viands Eileen and John Schneider Andrew Stickle Bonnie and Larry Vicki Ann Schoeffler Susan Stoddart Joyce Villa Ernst Schoen-Rene Elizabeth Stott Nancy and Wayne Virkler Nancy and Charles Scholes Jamie and Ben Strader Jon and Brenda Voorhees Peg Schutze Hanns Streuli Steve and Peggy Wadecki Richard Scofield Steve and Sohny Strong Stewart Wagner Richard and Susan Scordato Twitty Styles Bruce Wallace Eric and Erika Scott Heather Sullivan-Catlin Robert Warner Kristin and Danny Scott Eric Sullivan Thomas Warner John Seagle Pete Suttmeier Mary Jane Watson George and Carol Sengenberger Mark Swanson Stacy and Joseph Webb Carolyn Serota and Richard Feldman Robert Swift Norman Webber Lindy Ellis and Richard Shapiro Zebulon and Mavis Taintor Andrew and Debra Weiner

20 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Tad Welch In honor of Mabel and Victor Schmidt Eli Pond/John Duryea Scott Weller Fern Lake Association June Wellman Anne Bakeman Friends of Long Pond Association Nathaniel and Lois Wells Emilie Kane Garnet Hill Property Owners Association Katherine West Carol Weimer Garnet Lake Civic Association Barbara Wetzel Green Mansions Swim and Tennis Club Sidney S. Whelan In honor of Chuck Clusen Gull Pond Property Owners Association Edward and Susan Whitcraft Hawkeye Conservation Association Charles Elkins and Betsy White Cynthia Sherwood Chusen Hewitt Pond Association Daniel White Hoel Pond Assoc./Roseanne Neuhard James White In honor of John and Ellen Collins Hornbeck Boats Kathleen White Indian Lake Association Kathryn Whitehorne Martha and Gordron Bergsten The Kildare Club Hynrich W. Wieschhoff Kiwassa Lake Association Lawrence Wilke Foundations Lake Abanakee Association Paul Willcott and Ann Laemmle Lake Adirondack Association Ernest Williams Adirondack Community Trust Lake Titus Protective Association Janet Williams Boquet Foundation Lake Colby Association Robert and Katherine Williams The F.M. Kirby Foundation Lake Durant/Anya Bickford Sarah Williams Richard and Rebecca Evans Foundation Lake Ozonia Association Patricia and Thomas Willis The Prospect Hill Foundation Lens Lake/Hank and Margaret Kinosian Robert and Judith Winchester Mary & Christopher Rodgers Foundation Little Long Lake Campers Association Uta Wister The Overhills Foundation Long Pond Association Tony and Ruth Witte The Walbridge Fund Loon Lake Homeowners Association Pauline Wohn Lower Saranac Lake Association Carolyn Wojciechowicz Businesses and Organizations Middle Saranac Lake/David Ellison James and Jocelyn Jerry Wolcott Mirror Lake Watershed Association Elizabeth Wolf ADK/Glens Falls Chapter Moss Lake/Ken and Joanne Strike Tom Woodman ADK/Saratoga Chapter Mountain View Association, Inc. Mark and Elaine Woroby Adirondack Museum North Country Camps Bob and Blaikie Worth Caffry and Flower Law Office Osgood Pond Association Diana Wright Clorox Company/Employee Match Oven Mountain Pond/Laura Gouthreau Alan Wyckoff Earthshare New York Pine Lake/Robert Shwajlyk George Yabroudy General Electric/Employee Match Raquette Lake Property Owners Assn. Donald Yanulavich Hewlett Packard/Employee Match Revolutionary Trails Council BSA Zoe and Howard Youmans IBM Foundation/Employee Match Rondaxe Lake Association Jim Zack ISO/Employee Match Schroon Lake Association Anthony Zazula United Health Group/Employee Match Simon Pond/Phyllis Thompson Dennis and Brenda Zicha Skye Farm Camp/Sherman Pond Adirondack Lakes Assessment Program Shore Owners Assoc. of Lake Kiwassa Protect the Adirondacks is deeply Snowshoe Pond/James & Eileen Hoffman grateful for the generous support of Adirondack Ecological Center Star Lake Association our members in 2013-14. Adirondack White Lake Association The St. Regis Foundation Austin Pond/Eveylyn Greene Sylvia Lake Association Tributes Baldface Mountain Preserve Town of Harrietstown Beecher Park Association Trout Lake Association In memory of Loisanna Hager Veeder Big Moose Property Owners Association Tupper Lake/Phyllis Thompson Blue Mountain Center Twitchell Lake Fish and Game Club Frank Clemente Blue Mountain Lake WaterWatch White Lake Association Cynthia Hamilton Brandreth Park Carol Jean Hardy Brantingham Lake Community Assoc. Protect the Adirondacks makes every Canada Lake/James Long effort to assure the accuracy of this list In memory of David Sive Coreys Residents Association of generous donors. If you see an error Cranberry Lake Boat Club, Inc. on this list please bring it to our The Paxton Family Dug Mountain Pond/Jocelyn R. Jerry attention. Thank you very much. East Shore Schroon Lake Association

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 21 2013-2014 Financial Summary

Assets 2013-14 2012-13 Income 2013-14 2012-13 Cash 18,898 $34,636 Contributions & Grants $195,986 $196,244 Grants Receivable 15,000 25,000 Dues & Fees 51,772 50,119 Property (Research Library/Office) 462,664 468,514 Investment Income 0 0 Cash (Designated) 112,845 112,845 Realized Gain on Sale of Investments 0 0 Cash (Temporarily Restricted) 38,837 56,722 Realized Loss on Sale of Assets 0 0 Investments - Unrestricted 5,000 5,000 Investment Holding Loss 0 0 Investments - Restricted 3,645 3,342 Event Income 1,325 4,845 Total Assets $656,889 $706,059 Lease Income 0 0 In-Kind Donations 60,901 15,940 Liabilities 2013-14 2012-13 Program Services 11,275 16,650 Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses $25,222 $37,555 Total Assets $321,259 $260,425 Demand Notes Payable 0 0 Long-Term Debt 0 0 Program, Administrative 2013-14 2012-13 Total Liabilities $25,222 $37,555 & Fundraising Expenses Program Expenses (85%) $305,785 (76%) $234,322 Administrative Expenses (7%) $24,839 (19%) 58,751 Expenses 2013-14 2012-13 Fundraising Expenses (8%) $29,197 (5%) 14,131 Salaries $117,705 $112,441 Total Expenses $359,821 $307,204 Payroll Expenses & Benefits 20,615 22,252 Contracted Services 4,035 4,203 Insurance 5,051 4,274 Notes Occupancy Costs 6,901 6,451 Protect the Adirondacks’ fiscal year runs from July 1 - June 30th. Telephone 1,255 1,613 Supplies 1,954 2,112 An independent audit was prepared by Cusack & Company in Latham, Printing 10,862 18,915 New York.

Postage 2,338 14,853 All information reported in this summary is also available in Conferences & Events 1,408 1,627 PROTECT’s NYS CHAR 500 and federal 990 filed with the NYS Bank Charges 1,435 796 Attorney General’s Office. General Misc. 611 156 The $462,664 listed under Assets “Property” is the contents of the Advertising 7,385 12,135 Adirondack Research Library on permanent loan to the Kelly Interest Expense 0 0 Adirondack Center of Union College in Niskayuna, New York. Dues & Subscriptions 278 716 Legal Defense 118,655 45,609 2013-14 Total Resource Allocation Professional Fees/Services 7,686 13,859 Travel 3,615 3,771 Administration 7% Website and Technology Services 21,925 16,220 8% Fundraising 8% 7% Investment Fees 84 85 Programs 85% Program Expense 17,394 19,588 Miscellaneous 611 0 85% for Conservation Amortization 5,850 5,528 and Advocacy Programs Total Expenses 359,821 307,204

22 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 Help Defend Forever Wild

The future of the “forever wild” Forest Preserve These new major snowmobile thoroughfares are is on the line as state leaders are actively built with heavy machinery that compact, exca- undertaking a massive expansion of motorized vate and grade wildlands. Bench cuts are carved recreational uses. State leaders are planning and into trail sides, thousands of trees are destroyed, building dozens of miles of new road-like snow- and the entire understory of plants and shrubs mobile trails through many wild, untouched as well as tens of thousands of saplings and parts of the Forest Preserve. seedlings are lost. Dynamic forests are razed for new roads. Please see more information on this Protect the Adirondacks is challenging this lawsuit on page 7 of this report. expansion with a landmark lawsuit. There have been few lawsuits over the years to uphold Con- We need your help today to protect and defend stitutional protections for the Forest Preserve, forever wild from expanded motorized uses. It’s but this lawsuit is an important and necessary vital that we make this stand now to protect the action. This lawsuit is the only thing standing in Forest Preserve. Please use the envelope enclosed the path of plans to build hundreds of miles of or the form on the back cover to make a contri- new road-like “trails” through wild parts of the bution today to save the forever wild Adirondack Forest Preserve. Forest Preserve.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2013-2014 23 Protect the Adirondacks PO Box 769 Lake George, NY 12845

Special appeal to protect Forever Wild: Please help now Please make a special contribution today to help defend our Protect the Adirondacks has gone to court to challenge the “forever wild” Forest Preserve from a massive expansion state’s plans, which we believe violate the State Constitution. of motorized recreational uses. State leaders and agencies This is a critical moment in Forest Preserve history and are administering the greatest expansion of motorized use if this expansion of motorized uses is not contained, the in the Forest Preserve in its history as they work to build a Forest Preserve will endure long-lasting natural resource network of road-like snowmobile trails. damage. Please help with a generous contribution today. Yes! I want to help protect Forever Wild

PO Box 769 Lake George, NY 12845 [email protected] protectadks.org Payment $5,000 $2,500 $1,500 $1,000 $500 Please make checks payable to: Protect the $250 $100 $75 Family $50 Individual Adirondacks! For credit card circle one: VISA MasterCard American Express Amount $ ______Name(s) Card #______Name ______Permanent Mailing Address Adirondack Park Mailing Address Exp Date______CVV2 code (VISA/MC 3-digit on back) City State Zip City State Zip or (AMEX 4-digit on front)______Please sign me up as a Monthly Sustainer. Email Address Phone number Smartphone number Charge $______on the 1st of each month to my credit card. Signature

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