For Immediate Release: April 13, 2007
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Committee established with signing of cooperative agreement.
On Friday, April 13, the Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Committee was formalized with the signing of a cooperative agreement aimed at implementing the Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan.
Committee Members include representatives from the following organizations:
• Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages • Adirondack Council • Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program • Franklin County Legislature • Fulton Chain of Lakes Association • Lake Champlain Basin Program • Lake Champlain Sea Grant • Lake George Association • Lake George Park Commission • Lake Placid/Essex County Convention and Visitors Bureau • NYS Adirondack Park Agency • NYS Department of Environmental Conservation • Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute • Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks • The Nature Conservancy – Adirondack Chapter • Upper Saranac Lake Foundation, Inc
This Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Management Plan introduces strategies to prevent, control and mitigate the impacts of non-native aquatic nuisance plants and other organisms in the Adirondack Park. The committee will oversee the execution of the plan, evaluate its implementation and ensure that the plan is improved and updated with information obtained through research, monitoring and input from all stakeholders
The Adirondack Park forms the headwaters of five major river systems and has 30,000 miles of free flowing rivers, brooks, streams, and riparian habitat. Its mountains are interspersed with over 11,000 ponds and lakes from tiny kettle-hole bogs to major water-bodies such as Lake George and Lake Champlain. This mosaic of lakes, rivers, and wetlands support a diverse array of natural communities and species, many of which are among the best examples of their kind in the Nation. The biodiversity and recreational opportunities afforded by these unique aquatic ecosystems are threatened by infestations of exotic species such as Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels and water chestnut. Non-native species can dominate aquatic ecosystems influencing their ability to provide natural function as well as cause significant economic impact by impeding water-based recreational pursuits, lowering real estate values and degrading sport fishing opportunities.
The Adirondack Park Aquatic Nuisance Species Committee is committed to working together to put a stop to the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). The committee will work to: 1. Develop strategies for preventing the introduction and spread of ANS in the Adirondack Park. 2. Work together to achieve Park-wide awareness of the need to combat ANS, and to promote education in effective prevention and control techniques. 3. Determine Park-wide priorities for ANS management and advocate for resources to use in addressing these priorities. 4. Advocate for solutions and resources wherever applicable to control and mitigate ANS.
To learn more about the Adirondack Park Aquatic Species Committee and the Management Plan visit the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program’s website at http://www.adkinvasives.com/
To read the resolution and cooperative agreement go to the Adirondack Park Agency’s website at http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Mailing/0704/ecology.htm