Changes Will Allow Construction of Facilities to Store
Decontamination Equipment and Help Remove Harmful Invasives from
Watercraft
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today announced the finalization of a Unit Management Plan amendment to
guide siting, construction, and management of watercraft decontamination
facilities at DEC campgrounds and day-use areas. The construction and
permanent placement of watercraft decontamination facilities supports
DEC's ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive
species (AIS).
"New York State is
taking action on numerous fronts to help prevent the spread of harmful
aquatic invasive plants and animal species, including at DEC
facilities," Commissioner
Seggos said. "The
finalized UMP amendment helps authorize the construction of decontamination
facilities at DEC campgrounds and day-use areas to further our efforts to
reduce invasives and their negative impacts on our waters."
AIS are non-native aquatic
plants and animals that can cause environmental and economic harm and
threaten human health. AIS have been found in many of New York State's
lakes, ponds, and rivers, and these harmful pests can be transported from
waterbody to waterbody on watercraft and equipment.
DEC manages 52 campgrounds in
the Adirondack and Catskill parks with more than one million visitor
camper nights each season. The campgrounds and five special use areas at
Lake George Beach, Prospect Mountain Highway, Hinckley Reservoir Picnic
Area, Fourth Lake Picnic Area, and Lake George Battlefield Picnic Area
are visited by nearly 400,000 people annually. Many of these visitors
bring recreational watercraft with them to the campgrounds, arriving at
these DEC facilities from every county in New York, as well as many
states and Canadian provinces.
Research shows that recreational
watercraft are a top vector for the transport and introduction of AIS
throughout the country. Watercraft inspection stewards provide education
and outreach to many boaters at DEC campgrounds. The stewards offer
voluntary inspections and boat washes using special decontamination units
that have high pressure and hot water to dislodge and remove AIS from the
watercraft and trailers. Currently, decontamination units are housed in
seasonal sheds. Moving the temporary sheds at the end of each season is challenging
and can damage equipment. Following a comment period announced earlier this
year, DEC finalized the amendment and will advance efforts to
construct storage facilities at campgrounds and day-use areas in the
Adirondack and Catskill parks to store decontamination equipment.
The amendment is posted on the DEC website .
Copies of the amendment are available by calling (518) 457-2500 or contacting
Josh Houghton, NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY
12233-5253, or emailing campinfo@dec.ny.gov.
DEC reminds water
recreationists to do their part in protecting New York's waters from AIS
by remembering to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment. Taking
proactive steps such as cleaning off fishing tackle, removing aquatic
vegetation from rudders, disinfecting boat hulls and water compartments,
and properly disposing of bait, significantly reduces that risk.
For more information, go to DEC's website.
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