Lake Placid, NY, Jun 07, 2010 — The Adirondack Park Agency has been trying for months to nail down new rules for boathouse construction in the Adirondack Park. Commissioners will try again at their monthly meeting in Ray Brook this week. They'll consider redefining "boathouse," after deadlocking on a similar proposal last month. Chris Knight reports there are new commissioners in the mix this time, and observers hope a new focus on environmental issues.  Go to full article

Fishers Landing, NY, May 26, 2010 — The sun and warm temperatures are starting to bring boaters back to the St. Lawrence River. But especially in the Thousand Islands, they're being greeted by unusually low water levels. A dry winter and warm spring across the Great Lakes is mostly to blame. But that hasn't stopped lawmakers on both sides of the border from clamoring for a new system for controlling water flows. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jan 06, 2010 — The Adirondack Park Agency convened the first of four public hearings on new rules for boathouses last night at its headquarters in Ray Brook. The proposal limits new boathouses to 900 square feet in size, 15 feet in height, and sets a minimum roof pitch for a boathouse. Contractors, architects and environmentalists turned out to comment. Chris Knight reports.

(The APA has scheduled three more public hearings on the revised boathouse definition: tonight in Old Forge and Thursday in Albany and Lake George.)  Go to full article

Sep 08, 2008 — The binational board that controls water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario is doing an about-face that's a victory for environmentalists. In a letter Thursday to Secretary of State Condolezza Rice, the International Joint Commission said there was "little support" for the water levels plan that came out of a five-year, $20-million study. The IJC appears to be abandoning the plan, saying it is "not a practical option." Instead, the IJC said 20 public hearings and more than a thousand comments over the last year indicated "broad, strong interest" for returning the natural ebbs and flows to the river and lake. That was the overwhelming opinion across the North Country. Jennifer Caddick directs Save the River, based in Clayton. Save the River led a campaign for management of water levels that's better for the environment. Caddick told David Sommerstein the IJC's announcement is encouraging news.  Go to full article

Jul 14, 2008 — A major anchor of the Thousand Islands tourism industry is losing two senior staffers. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton is entering its peak season on the heels of a decade of tremendous growth. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 30, 2008 — Congressman John McHugh is leading a fight in Congress to oppose a new water levels plan for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. McHugh introduced a resolution urging the Secretary of State to turn down the International Joint Commission's new water levels regime, known as "Plan 2007" in favor of one that's better for the environment, called "Plan B+". McHugh has an unlikely ally, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who co-sponsored the resolution. Slaughter represents the southern shore of Lake Ontario, where homeowners oppose the environmental plan because it could cause more shoreline erosion. But Slaughter told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle the environmental plan is better. McHugh echoes those sentiments, speaking with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Apr 24, 2008 — Thousand Islanders gave a harsh welcome to a new water levels plan for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario last night in Alexandria Bay. The International Joint Commission wants to implement a plan that's similar to the existing 50-year-old formula. That decision has been derided by Congressman John McHugh, Senator Chuck Schumer, New York's DEC, and both Jefferson and St. Lawrence County governments. It even prompted an environmental group to name the St. Lawrence one of the nation's ten most endangered rivers. As David Sommerstein reports, river residents are spoiling for a fight for a plan that's better for the environment and boating.  Go to full article

Mar 31, 2008 — A new plan for controlling water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario is drawing fire from all quarters of New York. The International Joint Commission announced this morning it supports a minor tweaking of a plan called "D-Plus". That plan is very similar to the existing, 50-year-old plan and provides only minor benefits for the environment. It's the result of a seven-year, $20 million study. As David Sommerstein reports, leaders in New York say the results are a waste of time and money.  Go to full article

Mar 27, 2008 — The bi-national agency that controls water levels on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River is making a big announcement tomorrow. The International Joint Commission will release a new water management plan for the first time in 50 years. As David Sommerstein reports, North Country stakeholders are likely to be disappointed.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2008 — Environmentalists and North Country lawmakers are criticizing a plan to control water levels on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario even before it's made public. The International Joint Commission will release its final plan on March 31st. It's the result of a five-year, $20 million study between the U.S. and Canada to determine the best way to regulate water levels for all the users of the Lakes and River. There are reports the IJC will abandon three plans vetted by the public over the five-year study and instead choose a new option. Congressman John McHugh wrote a letter criticizing that possibility. Dalton Foster lives on Wilson Hill near Massena and runs the International Water Levels Coalition. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article