Lake Management Update June 2020
In February 2019 the Town of Ballston’s Water Quality Protection and Management Committee applied for a grant from NYSDEC to complete a Lake Management Plan project. The purpose of this project was to conduct a water sampling program for a year to determine the amount of phosphorous from the lake bottom sediment that enters the lake water. With this data, the water management company is to assimilate all data and reports on record and produce a Lake Management Plan for Ballston Lake.
In July 2019 NYSDEC awarded The Town of Ballston a grant of $19,635 to fund this project. Since this is a 25% matching grant the Towns of Ballston and Clifton Park have agreed to back the grant up with $6545.
Between July 2019 and May 2020 we have been negotiating with NYSDEC how this project will be completed under the rules that govern the NYSDEC Division of Invasive Species. DEC wanted us to limit our work to the waterbody so we had to submit a modified work plan for them to approve. At this time the final bid document has been released and bids will be opened at the end on June.
Hopefully this study and Lake Management Plan report will help direct the Towns of Clifton Park and Ballston to adopt plans that will improve the water quality of Ballston Lake and address impairments to the lake from the watershed.
RESOURCES- Contact information to keep handy
Saratoga County Sheriff – 518 885 6761 – to report dangerous and unlawful activity on the lake
Information / application for stabilizing shoreline – DEC Region 5 – 518-623-1281. Susan Clickner susan.clickner@dec.ny.gov.
Army Corps of Engineers – 518-266-6350. A joint application for shoreline stabilization can be filled out and sent to DEC. Dave Pierce has forms that can be sent electronically pep416@aol.com.
Beaver Trapper – Jim Comstock 518-792-2371 jimjudy2@gmail.com (can be hired by private citizens)
Boat Inspections – Ellen Brown drbpe@prodigy.net
Outlet Clearing Volunteers – Brian Smith, bwsmith4356@gmail.com; Brett Adams brettonadams@gmail.com
How to get involved!
Would you like to become more involved in any aspect of BLIA? Are you interested in a board position? Would you like to help with communications? Are helping with social or ecological events of interest? Do you have ideas for new events or projects? Could you lend a hand with your technical or scientific skills? We are always interested in your ideas. Send a message about how you would like to become involved to: ballstonlakeassoc@gmail.org and it will be forwarded to the appropriate board member. A board roster follows. BLIA board members would always be happy to chat with you about YOUR lake and YOUR lake association.
