Meeting Notes

August 2, 2001  

In Attendance: Mary Song, Ray Melander-Malta Resident, Charles Morrison, Joe Finn- SLA, Hunt Sutherland, Bob Mac Millan- SLPID, Ed Dweck-SLPID, Tracey Clothier, Dean Long, Meredithe Smith-The LA Group.

Dean Long reviewed the latest news on the SONAR and weevil projects, and discussed his findings from boat counts during the summer of ’01. What has been observed is that during nice days, many boats tie up and raft in Manning’s Cove and other areas of the lake.  Due to this factor, although there are many boats on the lake, traffic is lesser than it would be if more people were boating.  One cause of concern, however are the sailboats cross the lake horizontally in the center of lake for their races.  In the event of a storm and large numbers of boats are travelling on the lake, this could be a serious problem. 

The following is a summary of questions, comments and remarks at the August 2^nd meeting. 

·        Discussion arose about how marina standards should be/or could be applied.  Tracey discussed what the problem is, and how the management action plan could review methods in which towns could require site plan review for marinas. 

·        Further discussion and comments regarding draft report of the management action plan. 

·        Can the document provide an aquifer map?  Need better discussion of aquifer recharge. 

·        Wetland Protection—Document should recognize role and expand discussion, and what municipalities can do about wetlands. Research Dutchess County methods of wetland protection.   Jennifer Brady-Connor is going to add an appendix with critical wetlands within the watershed. 

·        Will the plan call for mandatory or volunteer compliance for watershed rules?  Should there be an inter-municipal agreement for review of subdivisions?  Document should highlight the impacts growth has on the water supply. 

·        What is the status of the Austro Brothers-Ballston Spa dump in terms of non-point source pollution?

·        Water chestnuts are into Fish Creek this year, and more dispersed. Can document better address this issue.  

·        There needs to be further discussion on Kayaderosseras Creek. 

-         Map should show more of the creek, and discussion of headwaters of all tributaries. 

-         Open Space plan should also address motorboat access.  What should be done about the logjam?  Although it is effective in keeping out boat traffic, and preventing boats from traveling to Lake Lonely, it is causing erosion and a delta at the base of the creek. 

-         Land should be purchased along the creek as open space.

·        Document should provide a discussion of town-to-town stream corridor protection. 

·        Discussion regarding the fate of Snake Hill?  It is possible that it may become developed? 

·        Document should provide a guide or ‘tool box’ for open space protection that towns can use. 

·        Document should examine individual master plans and provide a critique of their individual protection activities. 

·        Restoration of Spring Run should be brought back to the surface in the City.  This would be a large engineering task and would misplace numerous businesses. 

·        Several comments and lengthy discussion was made about the issue of the City of Saratoga Springs withdrawing water from Saratoga Lake.

-         Status of the DEIS?  Can we attempt to coordinate the document with the findings in the impact statement?

-         If the City was to withdraw water, what impacts will that have on watershed regulations in addition to the recommendations put forth by the State of the Watershed/Lake plan?

-         What are acceptable regulations when a body of water is a public drinking supply with filtration? 

-         Watershed plan should refer to the scoping document/withdraw issue in a generic sense—“If a town/city uses Saratoga Lake”.  And discuss issues relevant to the topic.