GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE ASSOCIATION

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Bridge of Life Committee Announces Press Conference in Albany - (11.04.09) - The Bridge of Life Committee provided the latest information on their activities. The Committee can be reached at: Bridgeoflifecommittee@gmail.com

Hello All!

The Bridge of Life Committee would like to invite everyone to come to a press conference and rally in Albany on Tuesday, November 10 at around 11 am in the morning. This rally will be held in conjunction with other bridge advocates across the state. We will be talking to the press and hopefully some of our representatives about our situation here in Edinburg and asking them for the additional funding needed to maintain the bridge enough to keep it open as well as the funding for the new bridge. In order to reserve a bus, we need to know how many people would be interested in going to Albany to support the bridge. Please email us at this address if you have any interest in going to Albany. We are trying to raise enough money to pay for the bus, but there may be a small cost per seat if you wish to attend and would like transportation on the bus. The bus will be leaving in the morning and returning in the early afternoon. Any support you can give to us would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

The Bridge of Life Committee

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'Bridge of Life' Walkers Stretched Across the Batchellerville Bridge - (Halloween Morning - 2009) - The Fire Department and Emergency Squad in Edinburg outdid themselves this morning on the bridge. The crowd was great and the weather was perfect for a walk on the bridge to help the public understand that something has to be done to ensure that the emergency providers can 'work their trade' on both sides of the bridge. Because pictures are worth a thousand words, enjoy!

Bridge of Life Committee Plans 'Bridge of Life' Walk on Bridge - (10.29.09) - The Fire Department and Emergency Squad in Edinburg (Bridge of Life Committee) have announced plans for gathering and walking across the Batchellerville Bridge at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning (October 31, 2009) to raise awareness concerning the potential safety and health problems caused by the one-way bridge. The Committee fears that the current restrictions will result in a slower response time for units responding to an emergency in the Edinburg area.

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Edinburg Fire Department and Emergency Squad Question Community Safety (10.27.09) - The Fire Department and Emergency Squad in Edinburg have been recently raising awareness about 'potential' dangers resulting from the one-way Batchellerville Bridge. In a prepared statement, they noted:

On a typical Thursday night, the Edinburg Fire Company and the Edinburg Emergency Squad hosted a drill to determine exactly how the ONE-LANE traffic, combined with the weakened structure of the Batchellerville Bridge will effect the RESPONSE TIMES of EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Both companies were toned out by Saratoga County Emergency Services. Volunteer members responded from their residence to the Fire House and EMS Squad Building. Fire trucks and ambulance left their respective buildings at the same time. The Fire Chief and the ambulance arrived at the scene together clocking in at 21 MINUTES LATER. The first two fire trucks arrived a MINUTE after the Fire Chief. Members in their own personal vehicles arrived between 22 - 35 MINUTES after the call. UNFORTUNATELY, the largest tanker truck did not arrive on the scene until 40 MINUTES AFTER THE CALL WAS RECEIVED! The existing bridge is not sound and has a strict 15 ton weight limit. Therefore, the loaded tanker must first dump it's water in the firehouse parking lot, causing a delay of 3-4 minutes. The tanker then needed to cross the bridge, and like the other emergency vehicles, must first wait for all vehicles currently on the bridge to cross the 3,078 foot structure. The tanker then connected with F-225 (the Fill Truck) at the fill site. When possible, the lake itself is used to fill the truck. When the lake is not available (frozen) the nearest dry hydrant is used. Once the tanker is full, it heads to the scene of the call.

The total mileage from the stations to the scene of the drill was under 5 miles! If this were a real situation, the outcome would have been devastating. Hopefully the family would have been able to make it out safely, but with these alarming response times, the structure would have been lost.

What can be done to improve the response time? What type of resources are needed and who has to be involved? The fire and emergency squad ask that you ..........

Suggestions or concerns to BridgeOfLifeCommittee@gmail.com. The lake community is known for uniting when there are issues which face us. Please lend your help in making the Edinburg area safe! Become involved and let your voice be heard.

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Congressman Murphy Scheduled for Town of Day (8.18.09) - Congressman Scott Murphy has scheduled a meeting at the Town of Day Museum, 1650 N. Shore Road, Hadley, New York. The meeting will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. Congressman Murphy supported the lake community's request for meetings with the DEC and the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District during the discussions on the lake access permit rules earlier this summer.

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Reflections from the Sacandaga Protection Committee Meeting (7.28.09) - There is nothing more important than open dialogue on important issues. Many times the lake community is forced into a monologue and is not given a chance to engage in meaningful conversation. Last night there was a chance for dialogue but there was something missing! As the questions became more directed and focused, it appeared that the answers became less certain and more tentative. Rather than answers, it appeared as if they were opinions voiced as if they were facts.

At this point, no one has had the time to research all of the issues nor pose all of the important questions. However, it is important to realize that the Sacandaga Protection Committee was established to replace opinion with fact. The Committee has undertaken a tremendous challenge and responsibility. They have also called for our support. It is time for the lake community to respond!

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GSLA Plans Annual Meeting for Northville on August 14 (7.28.09) - The Great Sacandaga Lake Association will be holding its annual membership meeting on August 14 at the Bradt Building in Northville from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The meeting will include Officer reports as well as a presentation by Larry Eichler on the results of three years of water quality testing on the Great Sacandaga. Larry will present his data and answer questions. Larry is an interesting and knowledgeable speaker. Don't miss it.

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Sacandaga Protection Committee Scores a Run with the Broadalbin Information Meeting (7.28.09) - The Sacandaga Protection Committee which has been formed to represent the lake community on legal issues regarding the lake access permit system held their first of two meetings last night in Broadalbin. The crowd which was numbered at 250 listened to speakers and asked questions from representatives of the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District, the APA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Take a look at www.lovethesacandaga.com for more information on Committee activities.

The next informational meeting will be in Northville on August 24 at 7:00 p.m. If you missed the first meeting, don't miss the second!

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CURRENT ACCESS PERMIT SYSTEM RULES (7.23.09) - On July 14, 2009, the GSLA commented to the HRBRRD Board that there have been versions of proposed lake access permit rules over the last years. There have been so many versions that our members may be confused as to which ones are currently in force! The Executive Director, Glenn LaFave, responded to our query:

"In your letter of July 14, 2009, to the Regulating District you asked that the Regulating District publish the current access permit system rules. These rules are on our website at http://hrbrrd.com/part606.html

These are the rules in the green booklet that have been given to access permit holders since 1993. As no proposed rules have been adopted to replace them, they are still in effect. Access permit holders who want a copy of these rules can get one at the Regulating District's Sacandaga Field Office."

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Next Steps for the GSLA (7.23.09) - The lake community has weathered a rather anxiety-producing period in the latest lake access proposal rulemaking. Many members were confused by the proposed rules and concerned about the implications for their children and grandchildren. The GSLA responded as was expected! The GSLA Board met, discussed and crafted a plan to involve everyone in the solution. Our actions were successful but we only gained a respite in the process. It is important for everyone to realize that most of the recent conflict could have been avoided if we had been heeded in our request to have a discussion of the 'significant' changes before they were approved and forwarded to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for approval. We made the request before the Regulating District took its action and it was ignored.

We repeated our request to the Regulating District to communicate with the lake community before 'significant' changes are advanced. We are working with our partners to ensure that the District establish a mechanism for the community to be heard. It makes sense to us and we expect that it makes sense to our members! HRBRRD Board Chairman Klein has responded to our request. We are in the process of selecting a date which is convenient to our steering committee which includes lake area supervisor and association representatives.

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NYS Safe Boating Program (7.23.09)- Three NYS Safe Boating sessions have been held so far and have resulted in 56 new safe boaters! GSLA members are reminded that their membership entitles them to the one remaining FREE NYS Boater Safety class in August. Contact the GSLA either by email or by telephone to reserve a spot at the session.

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The Annual GSLA Membership Meeting is Scheduled for August 14, 2009 (7.23.09) - The annual membership meeting will be held at the Bradt Building on August 14, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The meeting will be used to update the membership on the year's activities and provide a presentation on the Water Quality Initiative conducted during the last 3 years by the Darrin Fresh Water Institute. Mark your calendar and attend!

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The Supervisor of Edinburg Expresses Her Thanks to the Lake Community (6.17.09) - Everyone likes to be thanks. So here is a thanks from a very strong supporter, Jean Raymond, Supervisor, Town of Edinburg:

"Thank all of you and your members, friends, neighbors, permit holders and other involved members of the lake community for all the time, effort and activity that was put into the effort to stop the adoption of the proposed permit rules. It would not have been successful if it had not been for the massive lake community effort. I wish I could thank each and every person who was part of the effort personally. The letters, petitions, phone calls and other efforts did make a difference."

The truth is, we should thank Jean Raymond for her great work and constant support. Thanks, Jean!

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The Sacandaga Protection Committee Has Announced a Support Drive (6.17.09) - The Sacandaga Protection Committee announced this afternoon that donations to the fund can be received at the: Fulton Chamber of Commerce, 2 North Main Street, Gloversville, N.Y. 12078. Contributions must be marked to: "Sacandaga Fund".

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The Sacandaga Protection Committee is Launched (6.16.09) - This morning a press release was issued announcing the formation of the Sacandaga Protection Committee. The Committee established by interested lake community members sees as its role to "represent the lake community on the issues brought about by the actions of the HRBRRD and the Department of Environmental Conservation during the past several years." The statement continues to emphasize that although it will not be directly affiliated with other lake groups "on all of its initiative because of the potential conflicts placed on lake groups' individual charters. The lake groups .... will share information updates to their members ..."

Mayfield, NY—On May 28, 2009 the Great Sacandaga Lake Association (GSLA) hosted a “strategy session” in Northville, NY, to discuss how best to communicate the lake community’s request for the suspension of the access permit rulemaking by the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD) and the scheduling of public information meetings hosted by the HRBRRD and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

From the “strategy session” emerged the formation of the Sacandaga Protection Committee (SPC) with its mission to protect the environmental, economic and legal interests of the lake community.

Joe Sullivan, Sacandaga Protection Committee Co-Chair stated, “There was a great demand for a focused group to represent the lake community on the issues brought about by the actions of the HRBRRD and the Department of Environmental Conservation during the past several years. Through a number of strategy sessions which included interested parties from all around the Great Sacandaga, we felt a need to address these initiatives with the formation of the Sacandaga Protection Committee.”

This committee will not be directly affiliated with other lake groups on all of its initiatives because of the potential conflicts placed on lake groups’ individual charters. The lake groups, however, will share information updates to their members and to the public on the Committee’s objectives and accomplishments.

The Sacandaga Protection Committee in its early stages has been working with representatives of all lake community stakeholders. A sub-committee of the SPC has been formed whose responsibility is to obtain legal counsel to identify legal rights and for any legal issues that might arise. A second subcommittee is creating a database of individuals that have property adjoining the lake or who have permits on the lake. The Sacandaga Protection Committee will reach out immediately to the individual permit holders because they have been good stewards in caring for the state land.

The interval since May 28 has been used to thoughtfully develop a focus and procedures to ensure that the Committee’s work will be transparent, accountable and responsive to lake community concerns. In the opinion of the Committee organizers, although the suspension of the current lake access permit rulemaking was a welcome signal, it did not resolve the core outstanding legal issues which were raised by the actions of the DEC and HRBRRD. The group trusts that the lake community will agree and support the Committee’s work.

Joe Sullivan continued, “The committee recognizes that the property surrounding the lake is managed in an environmentally friendly manner and has resulted in the pristine lake that boaters, campers and homeowners have come to enjoy. As a matter of fact, the lake is also enjoyed by Sacandaga day visitors and vacationers who already enjoy the many public boat launch sites, campgrounds and beaches that they have returned to year after year. The lake permit holders, both individuals and commercial, have historically been granted access to the Great Sacandaga Lake and have had responsibilities of caring for the land that surrounds the lake. We want to make sure that our rights as permit holders and caretakers of this land are upheld for the benefit of everyone who enjoys the lake. We invite those who use the Great Sacandaga as a recreational destination and treasure its beauty to help us in our endeavors.”

To get involved with the committee’s work, interested parties are asked to contact Joe Sullivan at spc02@live.com.

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Governor Withdraws Proposal Changes (6.11.09) - The Times Union website (timesunion.com) reported at 12:56 p.m. that the Governor withdraw the lake access permit rules. In a statement, Judith Enck who is the Deputy Secretary for Environment, said the "outcry played a role in the governor's decision to "take a time out" and examine the details of the rules a bit more."

Ms. Enck however, stated that "... the permit system will remain status quo for now ... it doesn't mean the governor is walking away all together." She commented: "... this is public land we're talking about and we want to take a closer look."

The GSLA joined with the elected officials on the lake to ask that the rules be suspended pending public meetings with the lake community. We thank the Governor and Ms. Enck for withdrawing the changes. We thank the lake elected officials, the assemblypersons, senators and congressional officials who supported our request.

HOWEVER, we most of all thank the individuals who took the time to pen a note to the officials and spent the time on the phone being counted by the Governor's office. Those who spent time talking to their friends or driving to Inlet have to be thanked.

We also would be remiss not to thank those individuals who worked 'behind the scenes' and may not be visibly counted! We know who you are, thank you!

It is important to note that we have not been told about next steps. The GSLA stands available to help in formulating alternatives to these rules which are developed within the lake community. Please understand, the process is not over but only suspended.

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Alternate Email Address for GSLA (6.05.09) - Members having difficulty communicating with the Association using our sloffice@gsla.org may use the alternate gscandaga@msn.com We apologize for the inconvenience with the email and links. We thought they were corrected earlier but .....

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