Franklin County collects an occupancy tax, also known as a “bed tax,” on all rented rooms at hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals throughout the county. In 2023, this 5% tax on overnight tourism generated $1.7 million for the county. The Upper Saranac Watershed serves as a key resource for environmental tourism centered on water-based activities, making it an economic driver that supports occupancy tax revenue and bolsters the county’s tourism industry.
The county is responsible for reinvesting the revenue from this tax into tourism promotion and projects that “increase recreational opportunities, further develop tourism amenities, and enhance visitor experiences.” Since most of the county’s occupancy tax revenue comes from the southern part of the county, reinvesting a portion of these funds into the preservation of resources that draw tourists seems logical.
Through the occupancy tax distribution process, local governments, hotels, and organizations, including the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF), can apply for grants. The USF has applied for grants to support invasive species management and requested county assistance to restore the Bartlett Carry Dam. However, county legislators denied funding for these initiatives. Despite the tax’s purpose of fostering tourism and economic development, none of this funding has gone toward supporting water quality in the county’s southern region.
Without the USF’s ongoing efforts to maintain clean, invasive-free waterways and stable water levels, tourism in the Upper Saranac Watershed, including at Fish Creek Campground, would suffer. Other counties in the Adirondack Park direct occupancy tax funds into water quality initiatives, specifically by supporting lake associations in managing invasive species.
Franklin County, known for its outdoor and water recreation activities promotes the natural resources that attract visitors to our region. However, the allocation of the occupancy tax funds has yet to address the environmental needs of the southern county’s water resources, particularly in the Upper Saranac Watershed, which contributes significantly to the county’s tourism revenue. Investing occupancy tax revenue into water quality management and invasive species control in this area would align with the tax’s intent to enhance tourism and recreational opportunities. By supporting efforts like those of the Upper Saranac Foundation, Franklin County could help protect its invaluable water resources, ensuring sustainable tourism growth and environmental preservation for years to come.