Saratoga Lake Watershed Advisory Committee

Watershed Goals, Objectives, and Recommendations 

APRIL 5^TH 2001 MEETING NOTES

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the development of goals and objectives for the Watershed Management Plan.  The discussions centered around potential recommendations to realize the goals.

Environmental Quality Goals-Watershed and Lake

·        Proposed Goal:  Establish the position of a county watershed advocate to give technical assistance to communities for the control of non-point pollution sources.

Discussion:  Cost?  Who would pay this person?  One suggestion was to share the costs of personnel among watershed communities.  Would this person be contracted full-time, part-time, seasonal?  What role would this person play-legislator, advocate, educator, tech assistance, regulator, lake-manager, engineer?  Is there a need to restructure/reorganize the structure of the lake’s management?

·        Proposed Goal:  Should the draw down policies be reconsidered and revised?

Discussion:  Better management of water levels.  This drew a discussion about the conflict between users of the lake and purpose of the annual draw down.  Should the level be lowered for flood control, water quality, access, weed control or recreation?  What impact does the draw down have on phosphorus?  Overall consensus was that the impact of the draw down needs to be better assessed.

Other Discussion:  Need for periodic and consistent sampling of lake and streams, thorough comprehensive model of testing plan for lake and watershed.  Better understanding of hydrology.  Focus on trying to maintain and improve water quality.

Recreational Goals

·        Proposed Goal:  Develop a system to regularly monitor recreational activities on the lake.

Discussion:  Public boat launch-needs trash collection facilities, and boat wash to try to prevent the spread of non-natives to surrounding water bodies.  Private boat launches-need to check their boat wash procedures, how would it be regulated?  Feasibility of car top boat launch?  Mannings Cove boat launch or beach?  Provide municipalities with model commercial marina standards.

·        Proposed Goal:  Consider recommending no increase in parking at the state boat launch.

Discussion:  Will expanding the launch increase the number of boats to complete capacity of the lake?  Is there a way to regulate commercial expansion?  Many expressed that the state should limit parking, but expand other facilities, such as picnic areas, beach access, but no additional boats.

·        Proposed Goal:  Reduce the potential for conflicts of use among boaters.

Discussion:  Need for more law enforcement, better visibility.  Problem with PWC’s near the 9p bridge; SLPID offering PWC course and expanding education programs.  Outreach at the State Boat Launch?  No need to address boat size, noise and horsepower at this time.

·        Proposed Goal:  Improve public access to the Lower Kayaderosseras Creek.

Discussion:  Open space project may be trying to expand canoe access to Kayaderosseras.  Does this interfere with walleye spawning?  Is there any town property that may provide access?  Public right-of-ways or private easements?  Is there demand for recreation on the lower Kayaderosseras?  Log jam-causing erosion problems, but prevents motorized craft up the creek.

Other Discussion:  No public beach access-is there a location in which a public beach could be built?  Possible ideas were Sandy Beach in Mannings Cove-is there a way for pedestrian access there?  Winter issues-ATV access, parking for winter lake users, lake access for winter users.

·        Proposed Goal:  Develop a uniform set of dock and bulkhead standards.

Discussion:  No permits required for building docks-should there be?  No limit on the number of docks-how to regulate without a larger governing body?  More docks means more boats, which makes weeds more difficult to manage, effects on water quality.

Non-Point Source Goals

·        Proposed Goal:  Work with communities to enforce DEC non-point source rules; locate and digitize highway culverts and stormwater discharges.

Discussion:  Support education of highway superintendents through Cornell Cooperative local roads programs.  Lake Association monitor stormwater regulations on local level.  Potential of using Vortek along 9P.  Need maintenance 2 times a year, but does not capture pollutants, only sand and dirt.  Chloride levels should be checked in lake-need for road salt substitute. 

Meeting adjourned at 9PM.