For the past two years, the Upper Saranac Foundation has been actively involved in efforts to protect a unique 25-acre wetland complex in the Deerwood subdivision on the northern shore of Upper Saranac Lake. One of the threats to the wetland, and consequently to the water quality of the lake, is the potential destruction of a significant number of trees in a heavily forested portion of the wetland; which includes several tributaries which flow directly into the lake.
The Foundation has advocated with the Adirondack Park Agency – both on its own and in conjunction with several environmental organizations – against any such destruction of trees in the wetland and for an upgrade by the APA of the statutory level of protection for the wetland. Recently, the Foundation submitted an “amicus” (friend of the court) legal brief in a litigation filed by neighboring landowners supporting such an upgrade in protection. In addition, the Foundation commissioned an independent scientific study for submission to the APA regarding the negative impacts on the wetland and the lake’s water quality from tree cutting in the wetland. Click here to access the complete report; as well as the Foundation’s cover letter to the APA.