The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the acquisition of five acres of forest lands along the southeastern shore of Upper Saranac Lake. The parcel includes 570 feet of undeveloped shoreline, ensuring that a mile-long stretch of shoreline between Indian Carry and Indian Point remains forever wild. The Adirondack Land Trust purchased the land in January 2020 before selling the parcel to the DEC in May 2023. DEC was able to acquire the $225,000 property using the Environmental Protection Fund.
The land will be added to the 75,000-acre Saranac Lake Wild Forest, which surrounds the parcel on three sides. This new addition features a rugged lakeshore edged by boulders and northern white cedars. The purchase will ensure that a mile-long stretch of shoreline between Indian Carry and Indian Point remains forever wild, according to the DEC. The DEC also stated that protecting wild shorelines improves water quality, promotes flood resilience, and provides fish habitat. The history of the parcel and more information can be found here.