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SUPPORT\Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program for Adirondack Region—3-23-15
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO
INSTITUTE A NEW AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION
PROGRAM FOR THE ADIRONDACK REGION AND AUTHORIZING
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
RESOLUTION NO.: ,2015
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the Adirondack Region contains one of the largest natural and protected
assemblages of valuable and vulnerable waterways in North America that represents the region's
chief economic asset, and
WHEREAS, the most recent monitoring data indicates there are no less than 18 aquatic
invasive and non-native species within the Adirondack Park, which pose a threat to the ecological
and economic future of the Adirondacks, and
WHEREAS, the tourist industry is a vital part of the local economy through recreational
boating, fishing and camping and is largely dependent upon the region's clean water, and
WHEREAS, aquatic invasive species infestations pose a significant impact on the quality
of life of the community and local tax revenues, and
WHEREAS, millions of dollars have been spent on control, maintenance and management
of the known aquatic invasive species established in the Adirondacks, and
WHEREAS, trailered boats are an important vector for the overland transport of aquatic
invasive species from one waterbody to another and that investment in a spread prevention plan of
aquatic invasive species can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of management and control of
infestations, and
WHEREAS, interdiction and prevention have been found to be the best ways to contain
and control aquatic invasive species, as demonstrated in the nationally recognized prevention
program instituted on Lake George by the Lake George Park Commission requiring boat
inspection, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
is developing regulations that will be effective statewide to assist in the efforts to minimize the
spread of aquatic invasive species, and
WHEREAS, Governor Cuomo has recognized the grave and immediate danger to the
waters of the Adirondacks by recommending $1 million in the 2015 proposed New York State
Budget to be allocated for an Adirondack wide invasive species prevention plan, and
WHEREAS, regional partnerships representing municipal governments, state agencies,
property owners, lake associations, conservation groups and businesses have formed in support of
such region-wide invasive species prevention plans and programs and are considering funding to
help implement such prevention plans, and
WHEREAS, a proposed Memorandum of Understanding supporting the institution of a new
program for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention in the Adirondack Region is presented at this
meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, to proactively prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species and
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protect the water quality, public enjoyment and economic vitality of the Adirondack region, the
Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to sign the Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) supporting the institution of a new program for Aquatic Invasive Species
Prevention in the Adirondack Region substantially in the form presented at this meeting and to send a
certified copy of this Resolution to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
and take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 23rd day of March, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES
NOES
ABSENT:
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I -
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
AMONG PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS REGARDING
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to describe an
understanding among the diverse undersigned organizations representing state agencies,
municipal governments, property owners,lake associations,conservation groups,and
businesses regarding a program to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive
species in the Adirondack region. This MOU is not a binding commitment,but rather a statement
of the intent of undersigned parties to work together in good faith,subject to the requirements of
SEQRA and the availability of lawful appropriations and funding,to create an effective program
in the Adirondack region that recognizes the following:
• The Adirondack region possesses one of the largest natural assemblages of valuable and
vulnerable waterways in North America,including 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 30,000
miles of rivers and streams that represent the region's chief economic asset; and
• Based on the most recent monitoring data from the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant
Program and partners,the region is experiencing infestations of no less than 18 aquatic
invasive and non-native species,and infestations pose a threat to the ecological health
and economic future of the Adirondacks; and
• Nearly 200 aquatic invasive and non-native species exist in close proximity to the region
including,as of 2011, 184 in the Great Lakes, 122 in the Hudson River,49 in Lake
Champlain,and 87 in the St. Lawrence River.Although a majority of these species are not
spread by watercraft,this MOU pertains to those that may be introduced through the use
of the same boat in different waterbodies as a means of transporting an aquatic invasive
species; and
• The aquatic invasive species which may enter the region's waterways or spread within
the region include plants such as Hydrilla, Eurasian watermilfoil,and Water chestnut,and
animals such as Quagga mussels,Asian clams,spiny waterflea,Zebra mussels,and
pathogens -viral hemorrhagic septicemia; and
• Aquatic invasive species can spread through various means at different life stages
including through boats in bilge waters,ballast waters,live well waters,anchors and in
live bait containers often when they are in their juvenile,microscopic form;and
• A recent report commissioned by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program entitled
"The Actual and Potential Economic Impact of Invasive Species on the Adirondack Park:A
Preliminary Assessment"very conservatively estimated that the spread of just eight high
risk invasive species,including four aquatic invasive species,could result in an annual
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loss of$48 to $53 million to recreation &tourism,agriculture,and forestry sectors in the
Park with a long-term loss of$420 to $840 million to lake shore property values; and
• A 2012 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publication states that just one aquatic invasive
plant, Eurasian watermilfoil,reduced Vermont lakefront property values up to 16 percent
and Wisconsin lakefront property values by 13 percent. That report also states that the
cost of damage from invasive species in the United States exceeds $120 billion annually;
and
• Very few invasive species can be eradicated once established and control often involves
costly actions implemented and underwritten in perpetuity without achieving the
objective of eradication; and
• The draft NYS AIS Management Plan released in October, 2014 for public comment has stated
the overarching goal of stopping the introduction and spread of AIS into and within New
York's waters. The Plan includes strategies and actions for improving prevention, detection,
response, and agency capacity to manage AIS; and
• Aquatic invasive species spread prevention depends on a variety of strategies including
inspection and removal of visible vegetation; thorough decontamination of watercraft and
mandatory"Clean, Drained,and Dry(or decontaminated)"programs;and
• The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ("NYSDEC")is currently
developing regulations which will be effective statewide to assist in the efforts to
minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by incorporating reasonable precautions
boaters shall take prior to launching a watercraft or a floating dock.These regulations will
be in addition to the existing Department's regulation for the prevention of the spread of
AIS at DEC boat launch sites,specifically Parts 59 and 190,and the regulations which
provide for the protection of waters found in Part 608 of the Department's regulations,
and furthermore, NYSDEC has existing signage addressing AIS at its sites; and
• Trailered boats are an important vector for the overland transport of aquatic invasive
species from one waterbody to another. It is also well documented that investment in
spread prevention of aquatic invasive species can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of
managing subsequent infestations and avoids environmental damage associated with
physical and chemical control actions; and
• Viable boat inspection,self-certification programs and decontamination programs have
been established in New York State and other parts of the country with documented
results in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species; and
• The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program at Lake George is a 2-year pilot
program implemented in 2014 that featured a partnership with State agencies and shared
public/private investment to underwrite operations. More than 19,000 trailered boats
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were inspected and over 1,300 boats were decontaminated in its first season of operation.
Nearly 150 cases of visible invasive species were "caught," including Eurasian
watermilfoil,Asian clams and Zebra mussels. Detailed evaluation of the program will be
forthcoming at the conclusion of the pilot program but lessons learned from the Lake
George program can be applied to invasive species prevention programs throughout the
Adirondacks; and
• The Adirondack Watershed Institute Stewardship Program has been in place since 2000
with strong public support that provides a natural region-wide network for an expanded
prevention program throughout the Adirondacks featuring full inspection and
decontamination capacity for local municipalities and lake associations; and
• Recreational boating and fishing provides an annual economic impact of$ 5.79 billion and
$ 1.9 billion dollars respectively on an annual basis to New York State and is an important
component of the tourism based economy of the Adirondacks. Given the importance of
boating and fishing to the economic well-being of the Adirondacks,any inspection,self-
certification and/or decontamination programs will be done in such a way that does not
unduly restrict these activities; and
• Fishing and boating are activities that are not restricted to a specific portion of the day or
year. Anglers for example,prefer to get on the water early to avoid other recreational
boaters or late to fish for species such as walleye that are most effectively caught during
low light periods.
NOW,THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY
AGREED that the undersigned public and private entities support the efforts of the
undersigned municipalities and interested parties to develop a new region-wide aquatic
invasive species prevention program that may include stewardship and data collection,
infrastructure and administration,subject to the availability of funding, for boat inspection
and when necessary, decontamination,in order to protect water quality,public enjoyment
and economic value to the maximum extent practicable by proactively preventing the
introduction of new,and the spread of existing, aquatic invasive species in Adirondack
waters; and it is further
AGREED that the said entities support the development and implementation of a
regional policy of"Clean, Drained,and Dry(or decontaminated)" standard for all boats
entering and exiting the region,applied to both launching and retrieving watercraft where
possible,subject to SEQRA for actions by public entities; and it is further
AGREED that the said entities who do not currently have signage in place intend to
develop,where appropriate,consistent signage in collaboration with appropriate State
agencies,to inform boaters on both the threat of invasive species and prevention methods,
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including a "Clean,Drained and,Dry (or decontaminated) standard for transport and
launching of watercraft; and it is further
AGREED that the said entities will further coordinate and evaluate i) the need for
trailered boats entering and exiting the region to be assessed by inspection to determine
compliance with a "Clean,Drained,and Dry (or decontaminated) "standard,ii) whether
launching or retrieving,that all boats and trailers not meeting the standard are to be
decontaminated with high pressure,hot water or other appropriate decontamination
methodology; and it is further
AGREED that the said entities intend to cooperate with each other,to support an
expanded aquatic invasive species prevention program throughout the Adirondack Park
which complies with NYSDEC regulations,to explore ways to fund inspection and
decontamination stations for installation at strategic high risk locations,including major
entry points to the Adirondack Park, areas of user convenience,invasion spread hubs and
identify the most suitable locations for such inspection stations within the Park with
reference to the report,"Boat Inspection and Decontamination for Aquatic Invasive Species
Prevention; Recommendations for the Adirondack Region",and other sites as required to
provide optimal coverage and spread prevention;and it is further
AGREED that the said entities intend to work with appropriate authorities on a
plan to implement an inspection certification program to designate boats that have been
determined to meet the "Clean,Drained,and Dry(or decontaminated)"standard or which
have been decontaminated and have not been launched in another waterbody; and it is
further
AGREED that the said entities intend to work together to establish a training
program for volunteers to staff and operate the inspection and decontamination stations; and
it is further
AGREED that the said entities intend to prepare Memoranda of Understanding
with marinas,motels,and launch facilities in order to implement the protocol for complying
with "Clean, Drained,and Dry (or decontaminated)"; and it is further
AGREED that the said entities recognize the importance of the State of New York
properties and the ability to launch from these sites that provide public access,and that the
NYSDEC has regulations in place to manage and minimize the entry and exit for aquatic
invasive species introduction and spread at these publically owned sites;and it is further
AGREED that the said entities believe this serious threat to the ecological and
economic health of the Adirondack region,through negative impacts to water quality and
infrastructure,tourism revenues and property values,constitutes the need for the
undersigned to cooperatively develop a reasonable protocol to follow at the earliest possible
time,with the 2015 boating season as the target date; and it is further
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AGREED that the said private entities,local municipalities and state agencies who
are signatories to this MOU intend to work together to identify and develop opportunities to
obtain public grants subject to lawful appropriations and private grants in order to support
the development and implementation of a region-wide aquatic invasive species spread
prevention and decontamination program in a similar manner as has been successfully
demonstrated by the efforts at Lake George and by emerging local programs established by a
growing number of lake associations; and it is further
AGREED that this Memorandum of Understanding maybe signed in counterparts.
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