Photo: Mike Lynch
To help guide the future management of Rollins Pond, the Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) has provided input to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the public campground proposes infrastructure improvements to comfort stations, adding additional parking, rehabilitating roads and bike paths, and providing better accessibility and improvement to the boat launch. UMPs are individual management plans for each unit of state land within the Adirondack Park.
The USF’s involvement hopes to direct the DEC into making revisions to the original draft plan. The Foundation did not feel the UMP was explicit enough about managing and educating the public on aquatic invasive species (AIS). The USF feels that Rollins Pond, as an AIS-free waterbody, should have the highest degree of protection from invasives.
Comments focused on concerns of introductions of AIS and the need to better address preventive strategies to thwart their spread — specifically, the need for an AIS boat decontamination station. The USF feels there is no better opportunity than a gated, secure entrance for over 600 campsites (Fish Creek and Rollins Pond) to inform campers about AIS and the associated risks, and provide a convenient and effective way to decontaminate watercraft.
In addition, the USF addressed the need for a carrying capacity analysis to assess the water body’s physical, biological, and social carrying capacity to withstand impacts of public use on the resources, ecosystem, and public enjoyment of the area. The USF feels it’s important to identify the appropriate balance between environmental protection and access development.
The campground was originally opened in 1955 to meet the increasing need for campsites at the neighboring Fish Creek Campground. Rollins Pond has direct water access to numerous other connected lakes and ponds, including Upper Saranac Lake. Many consider Rollins Pond as a quiet alternative to the larger Fish Creek. The proposed NYSDEC Rollins Pond Campground draft UMP can be found at dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/rollinsponddraftump.pdf.
Similar input by the USF was also submitted to the Adirondack Park Agency regarding criteria of the UMP as it relates to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (SLMP). All UMPs are required to be in accordance with policies and compliance with the SLMP.
To read the USF’s comments to the DEC click here and comments to the APA click here.