The Lake Champlain Basin Program announced a series of awards for projects that protect Lake Champlain regional waters.
As in previous years, the USF was awarded a $15,000 Grant to help underwrite the cost of the Watershed Stewardship Program. The Watershed Stewards prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) by performing careful inspections of watercraft. Watershed Stewards funded from this award will be stationed on Upper Saranac Lake at Back Bay and at the Fish Creek Campground. In addition to increasing visitor understanding of AIS issues and spread prevention measures, stewards decontaminate vessels and equipment that are considered a risk of spreading AIS, by not meeting the Clean, Drain and Dry Standard.
The USF works with the Adirondack Watershed Institute, a subsidiary of Paul Smith’s College, to oversee the Watershed Stewardship Program. Additional funding through the NYSDEC Adirondack Park-wide Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program will provide stewardship coverage seven days per week for eight hours a day for both Upper Saranac Lake (Back Bay) and Fish Creek Campground launches beginning Memorial Day weekend and concluding Columbus Day.
Funding for the grant is provided by the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission through the Lake Champlain Basin Program. For more information on the Upper Saranac Foundation and the Water shield Workshop please visit our website: https://usfoundation.net/programs/watershed-stewardship-program/