13th Lake Region NY DEC bias proposal

N.Y.S. Conservation Council
Action Alert

D.E.C. Proposes Precedent Setting Outboard Motor Ban

Good afternoon:

The D.E.C. is proposing a precedent setting regulation to ban outboard motors from Thirteenth Lake. The lake is a popular trout fishing and hunting area that currently is only accessible with car top boats, as the boats must be carried about 200 yards to the lake. Reasons given for the action are "the need to create an environment consistent with the surrounding wilderness area, gas powered boats can create noise that can be heard in areas within the Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area which can negatively affect the wilderness experience of users. Water and air pollution from gas powered boats can also negatively impact the lake. In addition, the wake created from these boats can harm nesting loons and can create difficulties for those canoeing". The proposed regulation sets some dangerous precedents that could be expanded to any other lake in the Adirondack Park that borders a wilderness area.

 To access the proposed regulations go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/2359.html Scroll down to Thirteenth Lake . Deadline for comments is July 2, 2011. Please weigh in and forward to others who utilize boats and outboard motors for fishing and to access hunting and trapping areas or to enjoy the out of doors! To send a letter to the DEC and elected officials:

1. Highlight the letter below starting with the date and ending before the solid black line across the page. Then click edit then copy.

June 20, 2011

Peter Frank, Bureau of Forest Preserve
NYS DEC, Division of Lands & Forests
625 Broadway, Albany , NY 12233-4254
lfadk@gw.dec.state.ny.us
518-473-9518

RE: Opposition to proposed regulation to ban outboard motors on Thirteenth Lake

Dear Mr. Frank:

As a sportsman and taxpayer I oppose the proposed regulation to ban the use of outboard motors on Thirteenth Lake for the following reasons:

1. There is no documented scientific evidence that the lake requires this additional protection or that water or air quality is being negatively impacted;

2. The regulation does not provide equitable consideration for all user groups and instead favors the paddlers and hikers; needs of fisherman and hunters are an afterthought.

3. The statement that outboard motors wakes are negatively impacting on nesting loons is hollow rhetoric and without merit;

4. The actions to protect the wilderness boundary are simply action on the Departments part to further a protectionist agenda and appease the green groups;

5. The regulation, which promotes the use of electric motors, will place the sport fishing public and hunters at risk as electric motors do not have the thrust or sustainability to get the sporting community safely to shore in high winds or when traveling long distances;

6. Citing the Forest Preserve Advisory Board as a group who has endorsed this regulation raises some very serious questions about the legitimacy and legality of this group. The Board is stacked with Green Groups, keeps no minutes that are available to the public and does not allow or invite the press or the general public to its meetings. Yet is a board involved in recommending regulations and policy!

7. The current lake access requires boats to be carried approximately 200 yards and as such limits lake access to car top boats and small motors; which are appropriate for a lake of this size.

8. Restricting motors will limit fisherman and prohibit hunters from accessing the remote sections of the lake.

9. The regulation will negatively impact on small businesses in an area that depend on sport fishing and hunting for business traffic.

Please stop this deceitful attempt at establishing precedent to further the D.E.C.’s “quiet waters” initiative and please consider the needs of all user groups in an equitable manner. Withdraw this proposal!

Name:

Address:


cc: Senator Mark Grisanti, Chair Encon. Committee
Senator Betty Little
Senator David Carlucci, Chair Admin. Reg. Review Com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Click the link below on the far left to open an email message. When the email opens be sure all recipients are listed. Add others as you see fit, such as your state eleccted officials.

lfadk@gw.dec.state.ny.us;carlucci@nysenate.gov;grisanti@nysenate.gov;little@nysenate.gov;

3. In the subject box type: Opposition to Outboard Motor Ban on Thirteenth Lake

4. Move your cursor to the text box and go to edit then paste to place the comment in the email. Feel free to modify comments as you see fit and add your own lead in and closing statements.

5. Fill in your name and address, title, etc. at the bottom of the e-mail.

6. Hit send and your comment will be sent to the D.E.C. and Elected Officials.

7. It is important that the D.E.C. receive some hard copies; they must respond to comments received by mail. To send a hard copy open the attachment and print.

8. If you would like to send an additional comment to Commissioner Martens click the link below.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/407.html


If you need assistance or have questions, please let me know.

Thank-you for weighing in on this very important issue. Deadline for comments is July 2, 2011
Walt Paul
N.Y.S. Conservation Council
Access and Land Use Specialist

For more information and updates visit us at www.nyscc.com. The New York State Conservation Council is the oldest conservation organization in N.Y.S. The mission of the Council is to conserve, protect, restore and perpetuate forests, wildlife and scenic and recreational areas.

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NEPR @ Newark Valley ,NY

Last week took me down to the NEPR for a few days. The friendship lodge was set up and Chris & Joey Smith again allowed me to stay in their tent. We had great weather and a pretty good turn out. The NYSMLA affiliate has done fantastic job of working with the local historical society.
I finally meet Booshway Jeff Hunt , we've been on cyber airwaves for a spell and spoke by phone several times.

Jeff twisted my arm to drink a few ice cold Coors~ LOL

This pre-1840 event will offer black powder shoots, knife throwing and primitive archery, as well as numerous demonstration in and around the grounds of the primitive farmstead. After the public weekend, the rest of the week will be left for workshops on horn making, woodworking, black powder shooting, blacksmithing, churning butter, weaving and more.

You can find out more about muzzle loading and vous by visiting. Come visit us @
www.NYSMLA.org

Hey enjoy the articles.
BPB
President NYSMLA

Here are 2 links to the event one contains a video~

Ithaca Journal article


Historical encampment

You'll note the opening shot features Joey Smith in front of the NYSMAL.org friendship lodge.

By WBNG News
Story Created: Jul 12, 2009 at 10:48 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 13, 2009 at 12:00 AM EDT
Newark Valley has been overcome with hundreds of campers who are living in the past.
Multimedia
Watch The Video
The historical society is holding a primitive celebration showcasing the lifestyle of the 1800's.
Action News reporter Rachael Hidalgo takes us to the camp.

These people in Newark Valley are traveling back in time.

More than 400 people have set up their tents and banned all modern technology.
They're living as people did between 1640 and 1840.
"We think it's important to show people the skills and the knowledge that our fore-fathers had. And a lot of things are just plain interesting," says Organizer Jerry Rhodes.
Like the daily menu.
Take a look at what's on the dinner table tonight.... fresh roasted pig.
"You just never cease to learn something here every time you come here. You just never cease. If you have a talent you share that with people. For me, it's cooking," says chef Leslie Page.
Although these tents may seem primitive, everyone here says this is pretty much a vacation for them from the hectic, modern world.
"It's a lot more fun than people think, you know you really, people rely, especially today a lot on electronics, and everyone's like oh computer, IM, Facebook, you don't miss it at all," says camper Elizabeth "Wizza" Miller.
While going back in time may not be appeal to everyone, for the families here, it's a way to bond . . . and live the history that shaped our country.
In Newark Valley, Rachael Hidalgo, WBNG-TV Action News.
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