As the busy boating season approaches, the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) is reminding watershed users to protect our shared water resources. As part of our educational and outreach campaign, USF is encouraging residents to reach out to their friends, guests, and visitors to help prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS). Together, we can encourage watercraft users to take the appropriate steps of meeting the CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY standard of AIS spread prevention before arriving at the Upper Saranac Lake (USL) watershed.
Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of Adirondack-wide boat wash and decontamination locations; hours can be found here. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, trained stewards are available to provide a courtesy inspection and decontamination of watercraft.
Visitors should also be made aware that USF and our partners that own launches are now implementing Watercraft Launching Guidelines. These guidelines are available electronically for the purpose of remote distribution prior to guest or rental arrival. Launching guidelines can be found here. Guidelines are also available to be posted at lake home residences by contacting USF Lake Manager Guy Middleton at lakemanager@usfoundation.net.
Travel and tourism have an important economic value to the region and to second home owners. We know there is a direct correlation between tourism visits and exceptional water quality. It’s for this reason that we encourage you to share a common goal with USF and our partners: to lessen our vulnerability to introducing AIS into the watershed.
Invasive species are plants and animals introduced from other places that can cause harm to an ecosystem. They can negatively impact boating, fishing, and swimming. In recent years, the rate and risks of invasive species introductions have increased. Due to the lack of natural controls and high reproductive rates, invasives can quickly become widespread. Once infestations are introduced, control efforts are difficult and costly.
Supported by shore owner donations, USF has made a tremendous investment in a successful AIS management program; management and prevention of AIS is the single greatest expense of USF. Our shore owners devote over $125,000 annually and have provided over $3 million since the inception of the program.
To learn Learn more about the Upper Saranac Foundation AIS Prevention Partnership Program.