The Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District Initiatives
SARATOGA — The Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District (SLPID), the governing body that supervises, manages, and controls Saratoga Lake for public benefit, has released a statement regarding initiatives.
Those initiatives include:
• Lake Steward Program – Lake Stewards monitor the introduction of invasive species by encouraging watercraft sanitation practices and educating boaters and fishermen on the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying all watercraft and equipment.
• Harvesting program. Weed harvesters manage aquatic vegetation for deep water access.
• Educational Programs – educational presentations and tabling events throughout the Saratoga region promoting public awareness of SLPID and sustainable ecological practices and prevention measures against environmental decline. Floating classrooms for the public on lake quality, stormwater prevention, aquatic invasive species, and wildlife habitat.
• “Take the Pledge,” – an erosion and stormwater prevention program for property owners on best management practices of lake living.
• Property analysis – property owner consultations on nature-based solutions on waterfront-friendly practices.
• Water testing – In lake and stream monitoring, Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), a volunteer lake monitoring and education program that is managed cooperatively by DEC and New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA), Harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring.
• Lake assessments – yearly assessments on aquatic vegetation, aquatic invasive species, annual boat counts, and water quality reports.
• Aquatic invasive species management – Herbicide applications to manage aquatic invasive species and regular hand and mechanical harvesting.
• Support Marine Patrol
• Buoys – navigation and water testing buoys
•Lake levels – liaison to the dam for maintaining summer water levels.
All questions about the health, management, and programs of Saratoga Lake should be directed to SLPID at 518-223-3252, cconnolly@slpidny.gov, or visit the website at slpidny.gov.