champlain islands draft plan

CommentswillbeaccepteduntilSeptember19,2015.ForFurtherInformationContact:DanielLevy,ForesterNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation1115StateRoute86P.O.Box296RayBrook,[email protected]

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlan

Including:ValcourIslandPrimitiveAreaSchuylerIslandPrimitiveAreaChamplainIslandsWildForest

PeruDockBoatLaunchIntensiveUseAreaPortDouglasBoatLaunchIntensiveUseAreaWillsboroBayBoatLaunchIntensiveUseArea

TownsofAusable,PeruandPlattsburghClintonCountyTownsofCrownPoint,Chesterfield,Ticonderoga,WestportandWillsboroEssexCounty

ANDREW M. CUOMO Governor

MARC S. GERSTMANActingCommissioner

August2015

Thispageintentionallyleftblank

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015i

PREFACETheLakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexUnitManagementPlanhasbeendevelopedpursuantto,andisconsistentwith,relevantprovisionsoftheNewYorkStateConstitution,theEnvironmentalConservationLaw(ECL),theExecutiveLaw,theAdirondackParkStateLandMasterPlan,NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(Department)rulesandregulations,DepartmentpoliciesandproceduresandtheStateEnvironmentalQualityandReviewAct.MostoftheStatelandwhichisthesubjectofthisUnitManagementPlan(UMP)isForestPreserveprotectedbyArticleXIV,Section1oftheNewYorkStateConstitution.ThisConstitutionalprovision,whichbecameeffectiveonJanuary1,1895providesinrelevantpart:

Thelandsofthestate,nowownedorhereafteracquired,constitutingtheForestPreserveasnowfixedbylaw,shallbeforeverkeptaswildforestlands.Theyshallnotbeleased,soldorexchanged,orbetakenbyanycorporation,publicorprivate,orshallthetimberthereonbesold,removedordestroyed.

ECL30301(1)(d)and90105(1)providetheDepartmentwithjurisdictiontomanageForestPreservelands,includingtheislandsinLakeChamplain.TheAdirondackParkStateLandMasterPlan(MasterPlan)wasinitiallyadoptedin1972bytheAdirondackParkAgency(APA),withadvicefromandinconsultationwiththeDepartment,pursuanttoExecutiveLaw807,nowrecodifiedasExecutiveLaw816.TheMasterPlanprovidestheoverallgeneralframeworkforthedevelopmentandmanagementofStatelandsintheAdirondackPark,includingthoseStatelandsthatarethesubjectofthisUnitManagementPlan(UMP).TheMasterPlanplacesStatelandwithintheAdirondackParkintothefollowingclassifications:Wilderness,Primitive,Canoe,WildForest,IntensiveUse,Historic,StateAdministrative,Wild,ScenicandRecreationalRivers,andTravelCorridors,andsetsforthmanagementguidelinesforthelandsfallingwithineachmajorclassification.TheMasterPlanclassifiestheForestPreservelandsthatarethesubjectofthisUMPasoneofthreeclassifications:Primitive,WildForestorIntensiveUse.TheMasterPlansetsforthguidelinesforsuchmattersas:structuresandimprovements;rangerstations;theuseofmotorvehicles,motorizedequipmentandaircraft;roads,jeeptrailsandstatetrucktrails;floraandfauna;recreationuseandoveruse;boundarystructuresandimprovementsandboundarymarkings.ExecutiveLaw816requirestheDepartmenttodevelop,inconsultationwiththeAPA,individualUMPsforeachunitoflandundertheDepartmentsjurisdictionwhichisclassifiedinoneofthenineclassificationssetforthintheMasterPlan.TheUMPsmustconformtotheguidelinesandcriteriasetforthintheMasterPlan.Thus,UMPsimplementandapplytheMasterPlansgeneralguidelinesforparticularareasoflandwithintheAdirondackPark.ExecutiveLaw816(1)providesinpartthatuntilamended,theMasterPlanformanagementofstatelandsandtheindividualmanagementplansshallguidethedevelopmentandmanagementofstatelandsintheAdirondackPark.Thus,theMasterPlanandtheUMPshavetheforceoflawinguidingDepartmentactions.

Preface

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015ii

NeedforaPlanWithoutaUMP,themanagementofthepubliclandsthatcomprisetheLakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplex(LCIMC)UnitManagementPlan(UMP)areacaneasilybecomeaseriesofuncoordinatedreactionstoimmediateproblems.TheUMPprovidesaproactiveandunifiedstrategyforprotectingthenaturalresourcesoftheLCIMCwhileallowingforpublicrecreation.Sincenofacilityconstruction,designationormajorrehabilitationcanbeundertakenuntilaUMPiscompletedandapproved,managementislimitedtoroutinemaintenanceandemergencyactions.Awrittenplanstabilizesmanagement,despitechangesinpersonnel,andintegratesrelatedlegislation,legalcodes,rulesandregulations,policies,andareaspecificinformationintoasinglereferencedocument.Otherbenefitsoftheplanningprocessthatarevaluabletothepublicincludethedevelopmentofareamaps,andagreaterawarenessofrecreationalopportunitiesandneedswithinspecificareasoftheAdirondackPark.Inviewoftightbudgetsandcompetitionformonetaryresources,plansthatclearlyidentifyareaneedshavegreaterpotentialforsecuringfunding,legislativesupport,andpublicacceptance.Thisdocumentprovidesacomprehensiveinventoryofnaturalresources,existingfacilitiesanduses,whileidentifyingthespecialvaluesthatjustifytheprotectionofthisareainperpetuityforfuturegenerations.Theplanningprocessinvolvedthegatheringandanalysisofexistingusesandconditions,theidentificationofimportantissues,andtheprojectionoffuturetrends.Allmanagementconsiderationsweredevelopedwithinaregionalcontext,includinglandsadjacenttotheLCIMC.Ordinarily,theplanisrevisedonafiveyearcycle,butmaybeamendedwhennecessaryinresponsetochangingresourceconditionsoradministrativeneeds.CompletionofthevariousmanagementactionswithinthisUMPwillbedependentuponadequatelaborandfunding.Wherepossible,theDepartmentwillworkwithvolunteergroups,localcommunities,andtownandcountygovernmentstoaccomplishsomeoftheproposedprojectsormaintenance.Likewise,alternativefundingsourcesmaybesoughttocovertheexpensesofproposedprojects.

NoActionAlternativeFromalegalperspective,theNoActionalternativeofnotwritingaUMPisnotanoption.TheDepartmentisrequiredtoprepareamanagementplanfortheLCIMCpursuanttotheMasterPlanandExecutiveLaw816.Inaddition,aUMPservesasamechanismfortheDepartmenttostudyandidentifypotentialareasforprovidingaccesstotheLCIMCforpersonswithdisabilitiesinaccordancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADAof1990).TheUMPalsoservesasanadministrativevehiclefortheidentificationandremovalofnonconformingstructuresasrequiredbytheMasterPlan.Fromanadministrativeperspective,theNoActionalternativeisnotanoption.TheDepartmenthasthestatutoryresponsibilityunderEnvironmentalConservationLaw(ECL)30301(1)(d)and90105(1),toprovideforthecare,custody,andcontrolofthesepubliclands.TheUMPwillprovidetheguidancenecessaryforstafftomanagetheareainamannerthatprotectstheenvironmentwhileatthesametimeprovidingsuitableoutdoorrecreationopportunitiestothepublic.

OrganizationofthePlanThisUMPisintendedtobeaworkingdocument,usedbybothStatepersonnelandthepublic.Specificreferencesarecitedandincludedinthebibliography.Thecontentofeachsectionisbrieflysummarizedbelow:

Preface

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015iii

SectionIintroducesthearea,providesageneraldescriptionwithinformationonthesizeandlocationoftheUnit,access,andabriefchronologyofthehistoryofthegeneralarea.SectionIIprovidesaninventoryofthenatural,scenic,cultural,fishandwildlife,andassociatedresourcesalongwithananalysisoftheareasecosystems.Existingfacilitiesforbothpublicandadministrativeuseareidentified,alongwithanassessmentofpublicuseandcarryingcapacity.Adjacentlanduses,access,andimpactsarealsodiscussed.SectionIIIincludesdescriptionsofpastmanagementactivities,existingmanagementguidelines,andanoutlineofissuesidentifiedthroughtheinventoryprocesswithinputfromtheplanningteamandpublic.ThissectionlaysthefoundationforthedevelopmentofspecificmanagementstrategiesnecessarytoattainthegoalsandobjectivesoftheMasterPlan.Anassessmentofneedsandprojectedusearealsodiscussed.SectionIVwillidentifyspecificmanagementproposalsastheyrelatetonaturalresources,uses,orfacilities.Theseproposedactionswillbeconsistentwiththemanagementguidelinesandprinciplesandarebasedoninformationgatheredduringtheinventoryprocess,throughpublicinputandinconsultationwiththeplanningteam.Thissectionalsoidentifiesmanagementphilosophiesfortheprotectionoftheareawhileprovidingforuseconsistentwithitscarryingcapacity.SectionVincludesascheduleforimplementationandidentifiesthebudgetneedstocarryouttheworkdescribedintheUMP.Attheendofthetextisalistofrelevantdefinitions,citedreferencesandbibliography,andvarioustechnicalappendicesincludingmapinsertsshowingdetailedareainformation.AdirondackStateLandMasterPlanquotationsusedwithinthisdocumentarefromtheapprovedNovember1987,Updated2001edition.

WhatthePlanDoesNotDoTheproposedmanagementactionsidentifiedinthisplanareprimarilyconfinedtotheLCIMClands.ActivitiesonadjacentStatelandsorprivatepropertyarebeyondthescopeofthisdocumentandwillonlybediscussedastheyrelatetousesandimpactstotheLCIMC.Inaddition,thisUMPcannotsuggestchangestoArticleXIV,Section1oftheNewYorkStateConstitutionorconflictwithstatutorymandatesorDepartmentpolicies.AllproposalsmustconformtotheguidelinesandcriteriasetforthintheMasterPlanandcannotproposetoamendtheMasterPlanitself.

StateEnvironmentalQualityReviewAct(SEQRA)TheStateEnvironmentalQualityReviewActrequiresthatallagenciesdeterminewhethertheactionstheyundertakemayhaveasignificantimpactontheenvironment.Theintentofthelegislationistoavoidorminimizeadverseimpactontheresource.TheguidelinesestablishedintheMasterPlanfordevelopingunitmanagementplansexpressthesesameconcerns.Anydevelopmentpresentedintheplanmusttakeintoconsiderationenvironmentalfactorstoinsurethatsuchdevelopmentdoesnotdegradethatenvironment.TheoverallintentofthisUMPistoidentifymitigatingmeasurestoavoidorminimizeadverseimpacts.

Preface

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LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015v

CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................................................................................................................................ixSECTIONI:INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1A.PlanningAreaOverview........................................................................................................................1B.UnitGeographicInformation................................................................................................................2C.GeneralLocation...................................................................................................................................5D.Acreage.................................................................................................................................................5E.GeneralAccess......................................................................................................................................6F.GeneralHistory.....................................................................................................................................61.NativeAmericanHistory....................................................................................................................72.EuroAmericanHistory(1609Present).............................................................................................73.FrenchandBritishMilitaryConflict(16641763)..............................................................................84.BattleofLakeChamplain...................................................................................................................85.ColeIsland.........................................................................................................................................96.SchuylerIsland.................................................................................................................................107.ValcourIsland..................................................................................................................................118.SignalBuoy,GardenandSheepsheadIslands.................................................................................13

SECTIONII:INVENTORY,USEANDCAPACITYTOWITHSTANDUSE...........................................................15A.NaturalResources...............................................................................................................................151.Physical............................................................................................................................................152.Climate.............................................................................................................................................213.Biological.........................................................................................................................................224.Visual/ScenicResources/LandProtection.......................................................................................265.CriticalHabitat.................................................................................................................................276.EcologicalCommunities..................................................................................................................27

B.ManMadeFacilities...........................................................................................................................321.HistoricalManagement...................................................................................................................322.CurrentManagement......................................................................................................................32

C.PastInfluences....................................................................................................................................351.Cultural............................................................................................................................................352.Historical..........................................................................................................................................35

D.PublicUse...........................................................................................................................................351.LandResources................................................................................................................................352.Wildlife............................................................................................................................................37

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3.Fisheries...........................................................................................................................................374.WaterResources.............................................................................................................................37

E.RecreationalOpportunitiesforPersonswithDisabilities...................................................................37F.CapacitytoWithstandUse..................................................................................................................381.LandResources................................................................................................................................422.FishandWildlifeResources.............................................................................................................42

G.Education,InterpretationandResearch............................................................................................42III.MANAGEMENTANDPOLICY..................................................................................................................45A.PastManagement...............................................................................................................................451.LandManagement..........................................................................................................................452.WildlifeManagement......................................................................................................................45

B.ManagementGuidelines.....................................................................................................................451.GuidingDocuments.........................................................................................................................452.ApplicationofGuidelinesandStandards........................................................................................483.DeedRestrictions............................................................................................................................49

C.AdministrationandManagementPrinciples......................................................................................491.Administration.................................................................................................................................492.ManagementPrinciples...................................................................................................................50

D.ManagementIssues,NeedsandDesires............................................................................................511.EnhanceRecreationalOpportunities..............................................................................................512.PreserveCulturalResources............................................................................................................52

IV.PROPOSEDMANAGEMENTACTIONS....................................................................................................55A.BioPhysicalResources.......................................................................................................................551.Water...............................................................................................................................................552.Soil...................................................................................................................................................553.Wetlands.........................................................................................................................................564.Vegetation.......................................................................................................................................565.Wildlife............................................................................................................................................606.Fisheries...........................................................................................................................................61

B.LandProtection...................................................................................................................................611.Administration.................................................................................................................................61

C.ManMadeFacilities...........................................................................................................................621.Trails................................................................................................................................................622.Trailheads........................................................................................................................................633.TrailRegisters..................................................................................................................................64

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4.BoatDocks.......................................................................................................................................645.SetonHouse....................................................................................................................................656.BluffPointLighthouse.....................................................................................................................657.PrimitiveTentSites..........................................................................................................................668.Sanitation........................................................................................................................................709.HistoricLocations,Memorials,andPlaques...................................................................................7110.PicnicTables..................................................................................................................................7211.Campfires(FirePlacesandFireRings)...........................................................................................7212.ParkingAreasandBoatLaunches.................................................................................................7413.Signs...............................................................................................................................................75

D.PublicUseandAccess.........................................................................................................................761.PublicUse........................................................................................................................................762.AccessforPersonswithDisabilities................................................................................................783.NearbyPublicLandUse...................................................................................................................79

V.SCHEDULEFORIMPLEMENTATIONANDESTIMATEDBUDGET..............................................................83APPENDIXA:FACILITIES..............................................................................................................................89APPENDIXB:TRAILREGISTER&CAMPINGPERMITDATA.........................................................................93APPENDIXC:BLUFFPOINTLIGHTHOUSEDEED..........................................................................................95APPENDIXD:CAMPSITEMONITORINGFORMSANDPROCEDURE..........................................................103APPENDIXE:ACRONYMS..........................................................................................................................111APPENDIXF:MAMMALS,REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANS............................................................................113APPENDIXG:BIRDS...................................................................................................................................117APPENDIXH:InteragencyGuidelinesforImplementingBestManagementPracticesfortheControlofTerrestrialandAquaticInvasiveSpeciesonForestPreserveLandsintheAdirondackPark...................127APPENDIXI:STATEENVIRONMENTALQUALITYREVIEWACT(SEQR)REQUIREMENTS...........................161APPENDIXJ:BIBLIOGRAPHYANDREFERENCES........................................................................................163APPENDIXK:SETONHOUSECONSULTATIONWITHOPRHP....................................................................167APPENDIXL:UNITMAPS..........................................................................................................................169

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LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015ix

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PlanningTeam

DanielLevy DivisionofLandsandForests(Team

Leader)A.PhillipsJohnstone DivisionofOperations(Retired)LeoDemong BureauofFisheries(Retired)LeslieEggletonJoshuaClague

DivisionofLands&ForestsDivisionofLands&Forests

LawrenceCabana DivisionofLawEnforcement(Retired)GaryFriedrich DivisionofForestProtection&FireMgtGlenBronson DivisionofForestProtection&FireMgtKennethBruno DivisionofLawEnforcementRobertPraczkajlo DivisionofForestProtection&FireMgtJosephRacette BureauofWildlifePaulJensen BureauofWildlife

Contributors

ThomasMartin DECAdministrationKristoferAlberga DivisionofLands&ForestsRobertDaley DivisionofLands&ForestsRogerHarwood ClintonCountyHistoricalAssociationLindaHarwood ClintonCountyHistoricalAssociationTonyTyrell DivisionofOperationsGaryIvesWaltLink AdirondackParkAgency

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015x


LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015xi

LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust2015xii


LakeChamplainIslandsManagementComplexDraftUnitManagementPlanAugust20151

SECTIONI:INTRODUCTIONTheprimarypurposeofthisUMPistoestablishapublicpartnershipbetweentheDepartment,localgovernments,interestedgroupsandcitizenstocooperativelydevelopandsharestrategiesfortheuse,conservation,enhancement,andenjoymentoftheseareasinaccordancewithArticle14oftheStateConstitutionandtheAdirondackParkStateLandMasterPlan(APSLMP).Comprehensiveplanningallowsfortheexchangeofideasandinformationbeforeactionsthatcanhavelongtermeffectsaretaken.Thisisnecessarytoaffordconsistentmanagementdirectionbyestablishingclearlystatedmanagementgoalsandobjectivesandthemeansnecessarytoimplementthem.OneofthemostimportantaspectsoftheplanningprocessistointroduceandtoinvolvethepublicinthecareandstewardshipofStatelands.ThiselementincreasestheDepartmentsawarenessof,andresponsivenessto,thevaluesandopinionsexpressedbycitizensandfurtherassiststheDepartmentwhenmakingdecisionsconcerningthemanagementofpubliclands.ThisUMPisdesignedtoguidethemanagementofthisareaforafiveyearperiodcommencingwhentheUMPisapprovedbytheCommissioneroftheDepartment.Monitoringisessentialtodeterminewhethermanagementgoalsandobjectivesarebeingmet.Ifamanagementactionisclearlyineffectiveandnecessitatesachange,alternativeswillthenbeanalyzedandanewactionproposedandimplemented,followingAPSLMPguidelinesandpublicreview,throughtheUMPamendmentprocess.

A.PlanningAreaOverviewTheislandsthatareapartoftheLCIMCencompassapproximately1,133.8acresofForestPreservelandsonsixofthesevenstateownedislandsinLakeChamplainValcour,Schuyler,Cole,Garden,Sheepshead,andSignalBuoy.Aseventhstateownedisland,CrabIsland,islocatedoutsideoftheAdirondackPark,isadministeredbyTheOfficeofParksRecreationandHistoricPreservation(OPRHP),andwillnotbeaddressedinthisUMP.Therearealso28.1acresoflandthatmakeupthethreeboatlaunchsite(s)(BLS)includedintheLCIMCwhichareadministeredbytheDepartmentsBureauofFisheries:PeruDockBLS,PortDouglasBLSandWillsboroBayBLS.ValcourIslandandSchuylerIslandarebothclassifiedasPrimitivewithrespecttotheAPSLMP.Cole,Garden,SheepsheadandSignalBuoyIslandsareallclassifiedasWildForest.ThethreeboatlaunchsitesintheLCIMCareclassifiedasIntensiveUse.TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation(Department)hastheprimaryresponsibilityfordevelopingandimplementingmanagementplansfortheStateownedlandsintheAdirondackPark.TheAPSLMPclassifiesallstatelandsintheAdirondackParkandprovidescriteriathatdefinetherangeoffacilitiesandalloweduseswithineachclassification.TheLCIMCcontainsabout13milesofhikingtrails,34designatedcampsitesandprovideavarietyofdayuseopportunities;allbutfiveoftheprimitivetentsitesarelocatedonValcourIsland.Recreationalactivitiesincludehiking,picnicking,visitingtheBluffPointLighthouseonValcourIsland,wildlifeandbirdwatching.Issuesaddressedintheplanningprocessincludeidentifyingtherangeofappropriaterecreationalactivitiesforthevariousislands,providingforpublicaccess,andthemanagementandprotectionofnaturalandhistoricresources.AseasonalcaretakerisemployedspecificallyformaintenanceofValcourandSchuylerIslandsandthePeruDockBLSwithmostofhisenergiesbeingspentonValcourIslandandthePeruDockBLS.Thecaretakerisresponsibleforissuingcampingpermitsaswellasothermaintenanceduties.

SectionI:Introduction


B.UnitGeographicInformationThelastmajorglaciertoaffecttheChamplainValley,theWisconsian,occurredover21,000yearsagoandwasthickenoughtoburythesummitofMt.Marcy(5,344feetabovepresentdaysealevel).Astheglacierbegantomeltaround13,000yearsago,pilesofsand,gravel,androckwereleftalongitsedge.Streamsofwaterfromthemeltingglaciercarriedanddepositedalargeamountofthesematerials,aswellasvarioussiltsandclays,intotheChamplainValley.Waterandsnowmeltcontinuetoshapethelandscape,graduallywearingdownthemountainsandcarryingsedimentstoLakeChamplain.Themeltwaterfromamassivelobeofice,leftbytheretreatingglacier,withinthevalley,formedtheancientLakeVermontwhichextendedfromtheGreenMountainstotheAdirondacks.About12,000yearsago,whenLakeVermontdrainedandtheSt.LawrenceValleybecameicefree,saltwaterfloodedthelakebed,forminganestuarytotheAtlantic.TheChamplainSea,asthisoceanarmhasbecomeknown,coveredthesameareaasthelowerlevelsofLakeVermont.Themarineinvasionendedabout10,000yearsagoasthelandslowlyreboundedfromtheweightoftheglacialice.TheChamplainSeabecameisolatedandeventuallybecameaseparatefreshwaterbasin.LakeChamplainisonlyasmallpartofageographicareacalledtheLakeChamplainBasin.ThisbasinstretchesfromtheAdirondackpeakseasttotheGreenMountainsofVermontandnorthintoQuebec.LakeChamplainisrenownedasoneofthenationsmostbeautifulandvaluedresources.ThisareahaslongbeenhometoNativeAmericans,alongwithmorethan600,000residentstoday.LakeChamplainisanelongatedlakewithanorthtosouthorientation.ThelakeflowsfromWhitehall,NewYorknorthalmost129milesacrosstheU.S.CanadianbordertoitsoutletattheRichelieuRiverinQuebec.Fromthatpoint,thelakeswatersjoinwiththewatersoftheSt.LawrenceandeventuallymaketheirwayintotheAtlanticOceanattheGulfoftheSt.Lawrence.FormuchofitslengththelakemakesuptheborderforNewYorkandVermont.ThelakeswatershedisboundtotheeastbytheConnecticutRiverBasinandtothesouthwestbytheHudsonRiverBasin,whereitisconnectedbymeansoftheChamplainCanal.LakeChamplainisoneofthelargestfreshwaterlakesintheUnitedStates,with435squaremilesofwatersurface,over80islandsand587milesofshoreline.AftertheGreatLakes,LakeChamplainisconsideredtobethesixthlargestfreshwaterlakeintheUnitedStates.Thelakehasalengthof129milesandis13mileswideatitswidestpoint.Mostoftheover80islandslocatedinLakeChamplainarelocatedontheVermontside.Unlikemanyotherlakes,itisnotshapedlikeabowlnorisitevenlymixed.LakeChamplainisbrokenintofivedistinctareaseachwithitsdifferentphysicalcharacteristics:SouthLake,MainLake,MalletsBay,InlandSeaandMissisquoiBay.TheLCIMCUMPlandsarealllocatedwithintheMainLakesection.TheMainLake,alsocalledBroadLake,runsfromCrownPointnorthtoRousesPoint.Thissectioncontainsapproximately81%oftheLakesentirewatervolume.Thisisalsothecoldestanddeepestsectionofthelakewithamaximumdepthof400feet.ThisdepthislocatedoffSplitRockPoint.Thelakehasagreatvariationinwaterlevelfromthespringhighlakeleveltothedrysummerlowlevel.Themaximumrangehasanaverageof9.4feetdeviation.Themeanelevationofthelakeis95feetabovesealevelwithahistoricalrecordhighof103.2feetrecordedin2011,andarecordlowof92feetrecordedin1908.InLakeChamplain,auniquetermdescribesthemaximumlakelevelachievedbeforereachingfloodstage.Thistermfullpoolrelatestoalakelevelof99feet.Onceabovethefullpoollevelof99feet,thelakeisconsideredtobeflooding.



LakeChamplainasawholeisauniqueenvironmentalsettingduetoitsvaryingwidth,greatdepthsandtheoverallsizeofitswatershed.MostoftheshorelinehasagentleslopingprofileexceptforsomesteepcliffsontheNewYorkside.SomeofthesecliffsareatthelocationofClintonCountyCommunityCollege,calledBluffPoint.ValcourIslandisapproximately968.5acresinsizeandlocatedneartheCityofPlattsburghintheTownofPeru.ThesurroundingareaishistoricallysignificantduetotheRevolutionaryWarBattleofValcourIslandandthepivotalWarof1812,BattleatPlattsburghBay.SchuylerIslandis161acresinsizeandlocatedintheTownofChesterfield.Theotherfourislands:GardenIsland,intheTownofPeru,ColeIsland,intheTownofWestport,SheepsheadIsland,intheTownofCrownPointandSignalBuoy,intheTownofTiconderogaareallcomprisedoflessthanoneacreoflandsurface.TheChamplainValleyiscradledbytheGreenandTaconicMountainstotheeastandtheAdirondackstothewest.AllsixislandsincludedintheLCIMC(withtheoneminorexceptionbeingtheCoastGuardtoweronValcourIsland)areownedinfeebytheStateofNewYorkwiththeirboundariesbeingthemeanhighwatermarkofLakeChamplain.Table:LAKECHAMPLAINISLANDSMANAGEMENTCOMPLEXREALPROPERTYDATAValcourIsland

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN9/20/63 CL47.1 C.Hammettetal 480 Plattsburgh/Peru3/6/64 CL47.10 Wm.Davey 0.503 Plattsburgh5/1/64 CL47.6 P.Grant 1.16 Peru6/22/65 CL47.2 Shuttleworth 326.9 Peru7/19/66 CL47.12 Mason 0.18 Plattsburgh12/73 CL47.3 Yager 5 Peru12/73 CL47.13 TNC(Seton) 129.5 Peru12/3/79 CL70 Washbourne 1.66 Plattsburgh4/29/80 CL71 Mason&Murray 1 Peru5/14/81 CL69 B.BrownWinslow 7.8 Peru6/27/86 CL68 Raboff 13.3 Peru11/86 CL67 Raboff 1.5 Peru

Total 968.503



GardenIsland(SeaGullorGunboatIsland)DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN5/9/63 OriginalSovereign1 Lessthan1.0 Peru

SchuylerIsland(WhitneyIslandorIsleauChapons)

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN9/15/64 E138 LakeChamplainTransportationCo. 161.35 Chesterfield

ColeIsland(CollorNoMans)

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN OriginalSovereign Lessthan1.0 Westport

SheepsheadIsland

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN OriginalSovereign Lessthan1.0 Ticonderoga

SignalBuoyIsland

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN OriginalSovereign Lessthan1.0 Ticonderoga

PeruDockBoatLaunchSite

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN10/65 CL7.1 StewartsPatent 0.41 Peru

12/8/64 CL7.2 StewartsPatent,Vincent&MyrtleJerry 2.38 Peru8/16/65 CL7.3 StewartsPatent,MaryM.Thomas 1.92 Peru

CL7.4 LakeChamplain,NYSOGS 4.5underwater Peru5/7/68 CL7.5 StewartsTract,HomerR.Ladd 1.25 Peru

PortDouglasBoatLaunchSite

DATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN9/15/64 E138.2 AdgatePatent,LakeChamplain

TransportationCompany2.54 Chesterfield

1SovereignlandsarelandsthatpasseddirectlyfromtheBritishCrowntotheStateofNewYorkandhaveneverbeengrantedorsoldtoaprivateparty.NewYorkappropriatedCrownpropertywithinitsbordersthroughtheActofAttainderof1779.



WillsboroBayBoatLaunchSiteDATE PROJECT# SELLER ACREAGE TOWN

8/15/636/22/66

E27A MontressorPatent,CharlesRowley,Jr. 6.5 Willsboro

E27B LakeChamplain,NYSOGS 8.6 WillsboroAsnotedabove,allsixislandsthatarethesubjectofthisplanareownedinfeebytheStateofNewYorkwiththeexceptionoftheCoastGuardTowerParcelonValcourIsland.TheClintonCountyHistoricalAssociation(CCHA)ownsapermanenteasementthatgrantsthatorganizationtherighttopreservetheBluffPointLightHouseanditsancillarystructures.Theareacontainedwithinthiseasementisapproximately1.4acres.Inaddition,theFederalgovernmentownsapproximately0.1acreonwhichasteeltower,thatusedtosupportasolarpoweredaidtonavigation(ATON)light,stands.AdditionaldocumentationassociatedwiththelandareainvolvedandthenatureoftheeasementheldbyCCHAislocatedinAppendix(C).

C.GeneralLocationThesixislandsandthreeBLSintheLCIMC,runningfromnorthtosouthinLakeChamplain,arelocatedstartingjusteastofPlattsburgh,ClintonCountyandrunsouthtoTiconderogainEssexCounty.TheislandsandBLSarelocatedonthewesternhalfofthelake.WhentravelingsouthonthelakefromPlattsburgh,thefirstislandencounteredisValcourIsland,thelargestoftheislandsincludedintheLCIMC.ValcourIslandislocatedapproximatelyonemileeastoftheDepartmentsPeruBLS.ThePeruDockBLSislocatedonStateRoute9,1.5milesnorthofthehamletofValcour.JusttothesouthofValcourIslandisGardenIsland.Located12milestothesouthofGardenIslandisSchuylerIsland.SchuylerislocatedjustamilefromtheDepartmentsPortDouglasBLS.ThePortDouglasBLSislocatedonEssexCountyRoute16,3milessoutheastoftheVillageofKeesevilleintheTownofChesterfield.Continuingsouth,WillsboroBayisfoundonthethewesternshoreofthelake.AtthesouthernmostendofthebayisWillsboroBayBLS,thethirdBLSincludedinthisUMP.TheWillsboroBayBLSislocatedintheEssexCountyTownofWillsboroonCountyRoute27,threemileseastoftheVillageofWillsboro.ContinuingsouthfromtheWillsboroBayBLSpastthehamletofWestportisColeIsland.Thisislandislocated25milessouthoftheWillsboroBayBLSandjust1000feetoffshore.FromColeIsland,itisanother14milesbywatertothesouthpastPortHenryandCrownPointtoSheepsheadIsland.Fromthere,another2.5milessouthalongthewesternshoreofLakeChamplain,thereisasmallislandwithaCoastGuardsignalbuoysetinthewateradjacenttoit;thisisSignalBuoyIsland.SignalBuoyIslandisthesouthernmostlandunitincludedintheLCIMCUMP.

D.AcreageTheLCIMCplanningprojectencompassesapproximately1,162acresofForestPreservelandsonsixislandsandthreeboatlaunches:Valcour,Schuyler,Cole,Garden,Sheepshead,SignalBuoy,PeruDockBLS,PortKentBLSandWillsboroBayBLS.ValcourIslandisthelargestoftheislandsintheLCIMC.AsmallparceloflandlessthanoneacreinsizethatwashistoricallyanislandlocatedbetweenValcourIslandandAusablePointCampgroundisstillonthetaxroleasbeingtaxablelandunderthejurisdiction



oftheDepartment.ThisislandcalledNoNamenolongerexistsasdeterminedfromrepetitivesitevisitsandaerialphotoexaminationsduringtheplanningperiodofthisUMP.

SubUnit Acreage ClassificationValcourIsland 968.503 PrimitiveSchuylerIsland 161.35 PrimitiveGardenIsland Approximately1 WildForestColeIsland Approximately1 WildForestSheepsheadIsland Approximately1 WildForestSignalBuoyIsland Approximately1 WildForestPeruDockBLS 10.5 IntensiveUsePortDouglasBLS 2.5 IntensiveUseWillsboroBayBLS 15.1 IntensiveUse

E.GeneralAccessAccesstotheislandsintheLCIMCcanbegainedbyboatfromoneofthemanyprivatemarinasorboatlaunchsitesoneithertheNewYorkorVermontsideofthelake.Inaddition,theDepartmentmaintainsthreepublicboatlaunches(Peru,PortDouglasandWillsboroBay)onthelake.ValcourIslandislocatedwithintwomilesoftheCityofPlattsburghand15milesoftheCityofBurlingtoninVermont.TheremainingislandsintheLCIMCarelocatedinareaswheretheshorelineonbothsidesofthelakearerelativelyrural.

F.GeneralHistoryTheDepartmentcommissionedtheLakeChamplainMaritimeMuseumtodevelopahistoricalandarchaeologicalnarrativeoftheNewYorkIslandsinLakeChamplain.Theproductofthisrequestwasthedocument,HistoricalandArchaeologicalNarrativeofNewYorkIslandsinLakeChamplain,preparedbySaraR.BrigadierandAdamI.Kane(2003).Thefollowinggeneralhistorywascompiledfromthisdocument.TheLakeChamplainwaterwayhasbeenastrategicpossessioninNorthAmericafortheextentofknownhistoricalrecords.Useofthelakehasbeendesirableforhumanslivingintheregionfromprecontacttimestothepresent.Assuch,thereareextanthistoricrecordsregardinghumanuseofthelakeanditsislands,alongwithalegacyofarchaeologicalmaterialsinterrestrialsites.ColeIslandisasmallislandlocatedsouthofWestportneartheNewYorkshoreofLakeChamplain.Historicalrecordsreflectactivityintheregionofthelakesurroundingtheisland,butveryfewmention



theislandbyname.Thus,themajorityofhumanusageissurmisedbasedontheislandslocationandthelikelihoodthattheislandhasbeenacampsitethroughoutthecenturies.Archaeologically,theislandhasthusfaryieldednoinformationtocontributetotherecordofhumanhistoryinthearea.SchuylerIslandhasnationalhistoricalprominencestemmingfromoneevent.FollowingtheRevolutionaryWarBattleofValcourBayin1776,SchuylerIslandservedasanovernightregroupingsiteforthebatteredAmericanfleetastheystruggledtoescapetheirBritishpursuers.TheislandislocatedoffPortKent,NewYork,onceaprosperousLakeChamplainport.Aconsiderableamountofmilitaryandcommercialtrafficpassedthroughthewaterssurroundingtheisland,however,recordsofthistraffichaveprovenhardtofind.Theislandhasseensomearchaeologicalwork;aterrestrialsurveybyaNewYorkStatearchaeologistinthe1920slocatedfourpossibleburialmoundsontheisland.ValcourIsland,locatedsouthofPlattsburgh,andacrossfromPeru,NewYork,isthelargestoftheNewYorkislandsinLakeChamplainandhasthemostextensiverecordedhistory.ThisislandandtheadjacentValcourBay,wasthesiteofamajorbattleofcriticalimportancetothenascentrepublicduringtheRevolutionaryWar,andhasbeenwitnesstoawealthofnewsworthyeventsoverthepastthreecenturies.ValcourIslandanditssurroundinglakebottomhavereceivedthemostarchaeologicalattentionoftheNewYorkIslands,andhaveyieldedaconsiderableamountofmaterialrelativetoNorthAmericanmilitaryhistoryandhumanuseofthelakeasavitalwaterway.TheNewYorkIslandsinLakeChamplainallpossessstrategiclocationsrelativetotheNewYorkshorelineandtolaketraffic.TherecordedhistoryoftheseislandsindicatesthattheyhaveplayedkeyrolesinthedevelopmentoftheLakeChamplainregion,bothpoliticallyandcommercially.Todate,archaeologicalfindsontheislands,combinedwiththeirlocations,indicatethattheislandswereusedduringtheprecontactperiodbyNativeAmericans,andtheirhistoricalandarchaeologicalrecordsdelineatetheircontinuedhumanusageintothepresent.

1.NativeAmericanHistoryTheChamplainValley'sculturalhistorybegannearly11,300yearsago,whenPaleoIndiansmovedintotheregionfollowingtheretreatingLaurentianicesheet.NativeAmericanshavebeenlivingintheChamplainValleycontinuouslyfromthattimetothepresent.Thelakehasservedasaresourceforfood,water,tools,spiritualguidance,andtransportation.Duringprehistory,NativeAmericanslivedinsmallcampsitesandvillagesalongthelake'sshoreline,utilizingspecifictechniquesandtoolstoextractthelake'sresources.VestigesoftheiroccupationsitesandlakesideworkshopshavebeendiscoveredthroughouttheChamplainValley.AnunknownnumberofprehistoricsitesnowliesubmergedbecauseofchanginglakelevelsandisostaticreboundintheChamplainValley.Thesesitesarenotwelldocumented,andthelackofinformationhasgreatlyaffectedmodernunderstandingofNativeAmericansutilizationofthelake'sresources.ThereisnodoubtthatLakeChamplainanditsprecedingwaterbodieshaveplayedasignificantroleinthelivesofallNativeAmericanslivingintheChamplainValley.

2.EuroAmericanHistory(1609Present)SinceitsearliestexplorationbyEuropeans,theChamplainValleyhasconsistentlyplayedanimportantroleinNorthAmericanhistory.TheprominenceofthisareaisduetothenorthsouthcorridorthatLakeChamplaincreatesfromtheSt.LawrenceValley.AsinNativeAmericanculture,thelakecontinuedtoserve



asahighwayforthetransportofideas,communication,commerce,andpeople,aswellasprovidingfood,water,andspiritualguidance.LakeChamplainisdescribedasbeing"alivingbody,notapassivewitnesstohistory.

3.FrenchandBritishMilitaryConflict(16641763)Between1664and1763,theChamplainValleywitnessedacontinuousstrugglebetweentheFrenchandBritishEmpiresforcontrolofLakeChamplainanditstributaries.ThesewaterrouteswerestrategichighwaysthatprovidedaccessintotheinterioroftheNortheastinaperiodwhentheonlyviablemeansoftransportationinaruggedlandwasbywater.ExpeditionsandfortshadbeencontinuallyraisedindefenseofrivalclaimsoftheChamplainValleyanditswaterways.ArmiesandwarpartiestransportedthemselvesonLakeChamplaininfleetsofcanoes,schooners,andsloops.ThisperiodendedaftertheFrenchandIndianWar,whenBritainassumedcontrolofmostofFrance'sterritorialclaimsinNorthAmerica.TheFrenchandIndianWarhaddemonstratedthatwhoevercontrolledthewatersofLakeChamplaincontrolledtheChamplainValley.DespitetheconditionoftheirArmy,inJuly1776theAmericanshadvesselssailingthewaterswhiletheBritishhadnofleetavailable.UntiltheBritishcouldgainnavalsupremacyonLakeChamplain,theirArmycouldnotadvanceunprotected.Throughoutthesummerof1776,AmericanandBritishforcesatoppositeendsofthelakeworkedfuriouslytoassemblenavalsquadrons.

4.BattleofLakeChamplainOnOctober11,1776,theAmericanandBritishfleetsmetonthewesternsideofValcourIsland.TheAmericanfleetconsistedofeightgondolas,threerowgalleys,twoschooners,onesloop,onecutterandbateaux.ThevesselsintheBritishfleetwerenotonlylargerwithbettersailingcharacteristics,buttheywerealsocrewedbyprofessionalsailorsunderthecommandofskillednavalofficers.TheBritishforce,underthedirectionofCaptainThomasPringleandtheoverallcommandofGovernorGuyCarleton,hadalmosttwicetheAmericansfirepower.AmericanfleetcommanderBenedictArnoldselectedthebattlesite.LyingabouthalfwaybetweenCrownPointandSt.Johns,ValcourIslandprovidedtheAmericanfleetwithbothanaturaldefensivepositionandrelieffromtheincreasinglyblusteryautumnweather.Arnoldsvesselsshelteredwestoftheisland,knowingthattheBritishfleetwouldsailpastontheeastside.TheAmericanswereatadisadvantagebeingoutgunnedandoutmannedinseamanship,andtheyhopedthattheBritishvesselswouldhavedifficultybeatingbackagainstthewindafterspottingtheAmericanlineatanchor.OnthemorningofOctober11th,theBritishshipssailedpastthesouthernendofValcourIsland,thenturnednorthagainstthewindastheyapproachedtoengagetheAmericanfleet.Forthenextseveralhours,theBritishandAmericanvesselsengagedinanintensebattle.Fortunately,fortheoutmatchedAmericans,mostofthelargeBritishvesselswereunabletoworkfarenoughagainstthewindtoengagethem.Instead,thebulkofthefightingthatdaywasbyBritishgunboatsthatrowedwithinmusketrangeoftheAmericanline.Bothsidessustainedsignificantcasualties,andtheAmericanschoonerRoyalSavage,oneofArnoldslargestvesselsandflagship,ranagroundonthesouthwesterncornerofValcourIsland.Thebattlehaltedatnightfall,andonehourafterthefightingstoppedthegunboatPhiladelphiasankfromdamagesufferedintheexchangeofcannonfire.Atdusk,Arnoldcalledacouncilofwar,andtheAmericanofficersagreedtoattemptanescapebyrowingpasttheBritish.AstheBritishburnedRoyalSavageand



providedadistractionontheeasternsideoftheinlet,theAmericanfleetrowedsouthtosafetyalongtheNewYorkshorelinewithoarsmuffledandashroudedlightineachvesselsstern.Remarkably,thefleetpassedtheBritishundetected,andbymorning,theyreachedSchuylerIslandandhaltedtostoptheirleaksandmendtheirsails.Duringtheflight,Arnoldhadabandonedtwoweakenedgunboats,SpitfireandJersey.Agunboatlocatedin1997,whichsanktothebottomthenightofOctober11,1776,wasSpitfire,oneofthesetwogunboats.AsArnoldandhisfleetrecoveredatSchuylerIsland,thesunroseoveraBritishfleetthatexpectedtocompletearapidanddecisivevictory.TheyweremortifiedtodiscoverthattheAmericanshadslippedpasttheirblockadeandhastilysetoffinpursuit.AstheBritishmovedsouth,theyovertookandclaimedtheabandonedgunboatJersey,whileSpitfirewasalreadyrestingonthebottomoftheLake.OutofArnoldsfleetof15vessels,onlyfourreturnedsafelytoFortTiconderoga.Meanwhile,theAmericantroopsatFortTiconderogaandMountIndependenceworkedfeverishlytoincreasethestrengthoftheirfortifications.Thelocalmilitiawascalledtoarms,andbylateOctober,theAmericandefensivelinebristledwithmorethan12,000troops.Consideringthestrengthoftherebelforce,thelatenessoftheseason,andasensethattheyhadalreadymadesufficientgainsinthatyear,theBritishdecidedtobreakoffthecampaignandreturntoCanadaforthewinter.Tactically,theBattleofValcourIslandwasasounddefeatthatresultedintheAmericanslossofcontrolofLakeChamplain.Strategically,however,itprovedtobeoneofthemostdecisiveengagementsofthewar.ThepresenceoftheAmericanfleetonLakeChamplainin1776forcedtheBritishtodelaytheirinvasionlongenoughtobuildaflotillathatcouldchallengetheenemy.TheBritishfleetwascertainlysuperior,butthe1776campaignseasonwasessentiallyoverbythetimetheshipswerebuiltandthebattlewaswon.Thefollowingyear,theBritishinvadedswiftlythroughtheChamplainValley,buttheyweresurprisedtofinddeathanddefeatatSaratoga.ArnoldsbravelittlefleethadslowedtheBritishinvasionlongenoughtogivetheAmericanstimetoamassalarger,stronger,andbetterpreparedrebelarmy,placingthe1776navalcontestonLakeChamplainattheheartofthatvictory.GeneralJohnBurgoynessurrenderatSaratogainOctoberof1777convincedtheFrenchtoenterthefrayonthesideoftheAmericans,analliancethatultimatelyledtotheAmericanvictoryatYorktownin1781andindependence.

5.ColeIslandTheLegendofFatherJoguesTherecordedhistoryofColeIslandbeginsintheearlyseventeenthcentury.ThesolelegendsurroundingColeIslandconcernsitsroleasthelocationforthetortureofaJesuitpriestbytheIroquois.In1642,FatherIsaacJogueswasa35yearoldveteranBlackRobe,ormissionary,experiencedinthewildsofwesternNewFrance.DespitetheextensiveactivitiesoftheSocietyofJesusinthefurtrade,FatherJoguesisreputedtohavetraveledwestforthepurposeofconvertingNativeAmericanstoChristianity,ratherthanturningaprofit.FatherJogueswastravelingwithagroupofciviliansandchurchofficialsonAugust2,1642,whenattackedbyapartyofMohawkIndians.TheMohawkstook22prisonersandheadeduptheRichelieuRivertowardLakeChamplain.AftereightdaysoftravelthepartycampedononeofLakeChamplainssouthernislandsandwasjoinedbyawarpartyofabout130Iroquoisheadednorth.LocaltraditionholdsthatthisislandwasColeIsland,althoughthereisnotruearchaeologicalorhistoricalproof.Thoughsmall,ColeIslandistuckedintoawellshelteredharborthatoffersprotectionfromthestrongsouthwinds,makingitapopularanchorageforrecreationalboaters.PaulGrinwis,adirectorfromCamp



Dudley,remembersseeingsixtytoseventydifferentboatsanchoredinColeBayatonetime,quiteanumberforthesmallinlet.CampDudleyisthecountrysoldestactiveYMCAsummercamp,foundedin1903,andoccupiestheshorelineacrossfromandnorthoftheisland.

6.SchuylerIslandSchuylerIslandapparentlyoriginateswiththemilitarilyfamousSchuylerfamily,andisalsoknowbytheFrenchasIsleauxChapons.In1690,CaptainJohnSchuyler,grandfatheroftheRevolutionaryWarMajorGeneralPhilipSchuyler,traveledthroughtheSchuylerIslandareawithmilitiaandMohawkwarriorsonhiswaytoraidLaPrairienearMontreal.Thenextyear,MajorPeterSchuyler,MayorofAlbanyandbrotherofJohnSchuyler,alsoattackedLaPrairieafterfollowingthesameroutethathisbrotherhadtakenayearearlier.In1760,theBritisharmycampedatSchuylerIslandwhileheadingnorthduringtheFrenchandIndianWar.In1776,theIslandagainbecameanimportantmilitaryfacilitywhenBenedictArnoldsAmericanfleetusedtheislandtoregroupfollowingtheBattleofValcourIsland.AftertheBattleofValcourIslandonOctober11,1776,theAmericanfleetdesperatelysailedandrowedtheirbatteredvesselsthroughthenighttoeludetheBritish.TheshorttimetheAmericansspentonSchuylerIslandwasdesperate.Crewsworkedaroundtheclockscuttlinggearandrepairinghullsandrigging.Unfortunately,theonlyrecordspertainingtoSchuylerIslandforthenineteenthandtwentiethcenturieswerethedeedstothepropertyonfileinEssexCounty.ThetraceabledeedrecordsonfileattheEssexCountyClerksOfficerevealthattheislandwasownedbyatleastfifteenindividualsorpartnersbetween1827and1960.Duringthattimetheislandwassometimesfarmedandtheremainsofabarn,handdugwell,andtilledfurrowscaneasilybeseenfromtheinlandarea.Interestingly,formuchofitshistory,theownerofSchuylerIslandalsoownedalakefrontpropertywithadockonthemainland,presumablyforthepurposeofaccessingandsupplyingtheisland.SchuylerIslandchangedhandssixtimesfrom1827to1843,andwasthenpurchasedbyCharlesM.Watson.TheWatsonfamilyretainedownershipofSchuylerIslanduntil1891,whenCharleswidowElizabethsoldthepropertytoLutherWhitney,awellknownmarinecontractoronLakeChamplain.Duringthattime,theislandreceivedthenicknameWhitneyIslandandinthelaterdeeds,wasreferredtoasbothWhitneyandSchuylerIsland.SchuylerIslandremainedintheWhitneyfamilyuntil1950whenGraceAdgateDeansoldthepropertytoVanWinkleTodd.A1950articlefromtheEssexCountyRepublicandescribedthepurchaseofSchuylerIslandbyVanWinkleToddfromGraceAdgateDeanandDollyM.Adgate,whichrenewedthepropertyspapertrail.Thearticlereferstotwoelementsoftheislandshistorynototherwisedocumented.OneistheexistenceofafarmontheIslandandtheotherisofLutherWhitneysownership.ItisalsounderstoodthatstonetakenfromSchuylerIslandwasusedtobuildtheBurlington,Vermont,harborbreakwater.InNovemberof1967,SchuylerIslandwassoldtoNewYorkStateundertheRecreationBondProgramfromtheLakeChamplainTransportationCompany.AtthattimetherewereplanslaidtoincorporateSchuylerIslandintoarecreationalcomplexthatincludedCumberlandBay,ValcourIsland,andAuSablePoint.NoneoftheseplansforSchuylerandValcourIslandswereeverdeveloped.ThereisaUnitedStatesCoastGuardNavigationalAid(i.e.lighttower)ontheIsland,butdocumentationsurroundingtheNavigationalAidextendsonlyasfarbackas1965.Thislackofrecordsislikelyduetoafireinthe1970'sthatdestroyedmanyCoastGuardrecordsattheBurlingtonstation.



7.ValcourIslandTheearliesthistoricalreferencetotheIslandsexistencecomesfromtheJournalofSamueldeChamplain,whopassedseveralbeautifulislandsafterenteringthelake,presumablyIsleLaMotte,LongIsland(GrandIsle),andValcour.HisguidestoldhimtheislandshadbeeninhabitedbyIndians,butwereabandonedforalongtimebecauseofwarbetweentheAlgonquinsandIroquois.AtthetimeofearlyEuropeansettlementoftheUpperLakeChamplainBasin,itislikelyValcourIslandwascoveredbymatureforestofbothhardwoodandsoftwoodtrees,witheasternwhitepine(Pinusstrobus)beingpredominant.TheFrenchname,IsleDeValcourmeans"IsleofPines"(Tyrell).Beingreadilyaccessiblebyboatandofmoderateterrain,alloftheoriginalmatureforestontheislandhavebeenharvested,makingthepresentforestallsecondgrowth.ValcourIslandhasseenmanyprivatedwellingssincethemidnineteenthcentury,includingatleastonesummercampintheearlytwentiethcentury.ItislikelythatZephaniahPlattreceivedtheoriginallandgrantforValcourIsland,butinconclusivebyasearchofpropertydeedsattheClintonCountyClerksOffice.Whenthepropertyontheislandsoldinthemidnineteenthcentury,itwassplitintothreesectionsthatremainedrelativelyintactuntilthemidtwentiethcentury.Thesesectionswere:thenorthernhalfoftheIsland,uponwhichtheBluffPointLighthousestands;thenorthernhalfofthesouthernsection;andtheremainingsouthernquarter.From1846through1928,thedifferentportionsoftheislandpassedthroughatleast25differentowners,withsomeofthemsellingandthenrepurchasingthesameland.Theearlytomidnineteenthcenturyrepresentsalullinthehistoricactivitiesontheisland.By1846,theislandwasdividedintoitsthreesegments,withthetwolargerportionseachcontainingoverfourhundredacres.Atthatpointintheislandshistory,itwasalreadyinhabitedandundercultivation.Activitiesontheislandwerenotwelldocumenteduntilthelate1860'swhenamannamedOrrenShipmanentangledthepropertyinaseriesoflegaldisputes.Fromthedeedstotheproperty,researchershaveestablishedthathehadpurchasedthetitlestotwooftheislandsthreeportions,thenorthhalfandthenorthhalfofthesouthhalf.However,itappearsthathemissedseveralpaymentsandhismortgageswereforeclosed,muchtothechagrinoftheDawnValcourAgriculturalandHorticulturalAssociation,discussedbelow.TheDawnValcourAgriculturalandHorticulturalAssociationTheDawnValcourAgriculturalandHorticulturalAssociation,commonlyknownastheDawnValcourSociety,wasacommuneestablishedonValcourIslandin1874.Theshortlivedassociationwasanexperimentinsocialismandfreelove;theexperimentendedafteronlyoneyear.Inthespringof1874,ChicagoliberalColonelJohnWilcoxdecidedtoestablishacommunitythatwouldbetheHeadCenterofAdvancedSpiritualismandFreeLove.Alreadyassociatedwithagroupofelevenlikemindedindividuals,hisdreamhingedonfindingaplacetoestablishthecolonyandhebeganadvertisingimmediately.Shortlythereafter,OrrenShipmanofColchester,Vermont,sawtheadinWoodhullandClaflinsWeeklyandofferedhislandfortheexperiment.ShipmanhadpurchasedthenorthernhalfofValcourIslandfromDanielFayin1870,andduetoaseriesofquestionablelandtransactionsandfailureonShipmansparttopayfortheland,helostthepropertyin1875.Unfortunately,fortheDawnValcourSociety,Shipmansfrauddidnotbecomeapparentuntiltheywerebankrupt.Inexchangefortheuseof800acresoflandonValcourIslandandnurseriesontheVermontsideofLakeChamplain,Shipmanproposedthatthecommunitypayhim$26,000pluspaymentofnomorethan$9,000hehadaccumulatedindebts.ColonelWilcoxinspectedtheproperty,whichShipmanclaimedwasworth$100,000,andfindingitsatisfactory,wrotetohisgroupaskingthemtojoinhim.NeartheendofAugustof



1874,Mrs.HannahAugustaWhiteandelevenothersarrivedatValcour.Soonthereafter,tenmorerecruitsjoinedtheoriginaltwelve,whichincludedShipman,fromtheMidwest.Afewdaysafterarriving,severalmembersofthegroupleft,apparentlydisgustedwithShipmanandhisproperty,whichwassmallerthanhehadclaimedittobe.Theutopiancommunitystrovetoincludecelebates,freeloversandbelieversinthesacrednessofmarriageandproposedtobeacommunityofpropertybyinvestmentofcapitalandlabor.Theyemphasizedtheeducationofhead,heartandhands,governmentbyenlightenedpracticalgoodnessandfreecriticism,hatingnoonecultivatinglovetoGodandlovetoman,todwellwithfreedom,purityandharmony,passingontothehighestattainmenttoknowself,truthandwisdom.However,fromthebeginningoftheirundertaking,themissionoftheDawnValcourSocietywascloudedbyscandalandmisrepresentationcausedbythesocietysopenassertionsoftheirbeliefinfreelove.Asaresult,whentheSocietytriedtoboostmembershipafterthedepartureofsomeoftheirinitialparticipants,itwasdifficulttoattractpeoplefromtheconservativelocalcommunity.ColonelWilcoxwastheguidinghandofthecommunity,butayoung,beautifulwomanfromNewYorkCity,Mrs.H.AugustaWhite,wasanequallystrongforce.Thepoet,authorandlecturerarrivedatValcourinpureconjugallovewithayoungCanadianmannamedJ.H.WoodhousewhosharedherbeliefsandgoalsfortheSociety.The21yearoldWoodhousehadworkedinChicagoasamachineoperatorinasashfactoryandasatypesetterforapublisherbeforebecomingenamoredwiththe27yearoldWhiteandherprinciplesoffreelove.TheBluffPointLighthouseInaninterestingturnofevents,theDawnValcourSocietysquestionablebenefactor,Mr.OrrenShipman,madeanotherlandsale.In1872,hesoldtotheUnitedStatesthepropertyrightsforasmallstripoflanduponwhichtheBluffPointLighthousewouldbebuilt,withtheactualpropertysaleoccurringin1873;thefacilitywasfullyfunctionalby1874.Whenbuilt,theBluffPointLighthousewaspartofaseriesofbeaconsconstructedbytheFederalgovernmentalongLakeChamplain.Built95feetabovethemeanlakewaterlevelonthewestsideoftheisland,thelighttoweritselfis36feettall,andoriginallycontainedafixedwhitelightinafifthorderlens.ThelighthouseprotectedthebusychannelbetweenValcourIslandandtheNewYorkshorefor57yearsbeforefallingintodisrepair.Thelighthousewasbuiltfromdarkbluelimestone,itsupperwallsshingledwithcedarshakesandacoatedtinandcopperroof.Itcontainsakitchen,livingroomandbathroomonthefirstfloor,andthreebedroomsandaspiralstaircasethatleadsintothelighttowerabovethesecondfloor.Whileinservice,thestructurewasahomeforthelighthousekeeperandhisfamily;thelightkeeperrecordedweatherconditionsandfuelconsumptiononadailybasis.In1929,asteelframeworktowerwasbuiltabout100feetfromthelighthouseona100squarefootconcretepadbytheFederalgovernment.Theoriginallighthousewasdecommissionedin1931andsoldforapproximately$800.In1986,NewYorkStatebegannegotiatingwiththelighthousesfourthandlastprivateowner,Dr.AdolphOttoRaboff,topurchasethelighthouseandthelandthatitsatupon.Thestructurewassound,buthadfallenintodisrepairdue,inpart,tovandalism.WorriedthattheStatewoulddestroythestructureorletitcontinuetodecline,RaboffincludedaclauseinthesalecontractthatgavetheClintonCountyHistoricalAssociationaconservationeasementforthelighthouse.



In1987,theClintonCountyHistoricalAssociationbeganestablishinga$35,000endowmentfortherestorationandmaintenanceofthelighthouse.Therepairsinvolvedamixtureofpaidlaborandvolunteerwork,whileseverallocalbusinessesdonatedservicesorgoodstotheproject.CCHAappliedtohavethelighthouselistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin1988.By1993thelighthousewaslistedonboththeNationalRegisterandonNewYorkStatesRegisterofHistoricPlaces.InNovemberof2004,theUnitedStatesCoastGuard,theNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,andCCHAcompletedtherelightingofthehistoricBluffPointLighthouse,returningthelighthousetoitsoriginaldutiesasatrueaidtonavigation.CampPennAsummercampforboys,CampPennowned500acresofwoodsandmeadow,includingitsowndairyandfarm,onValcourIsland.Thecampwasfoundedin1906,as1918markeditstwelfthseason,butthedurationofitsexistenceonValcourIslandhasyettobedetermined.In1905,theBissellfamilyownedthesouthquarteroftheisland;thenorthhalfofthesouthernsectionwasownedbyFrancesRogers;andMarciaKennedyownedthenorthernhalfoftheisland.ThesectionoftheislandthatCampPennwaslocatedoncouldnotbedetermined.StateOwnershipIn1963,theNewYorkStateConservationDepartmentbeganimplementingaplantopurchasetheentireislandforuseasarecreationalarea.By1966,StaterecreationplannershadbegundevelopingplansforbothValcourandSchuylerIslands,withrecreationalboatersasthetargetaudiencefortheschemes.Theplansseemedtobeinitiallypopular,butby1970,PlattsburghresidentswerelessenthusiasticaboutthedevelopmentoftheislandthathadservedasabattlefieldintheRevolutionaryWar.Extensiveplansregardingtheprojectweremade,butduetonegativepublicopinionbylocalresidentsandenvironmentalists,thedevelopmentplanwascutbackfrommassrecreationaldevelopmenttotheinstallationofnaturetrails,picnicandcampingspots,abeach,andmooringsforboaters.In1971,aportionofValcourIslandwastransferredtotheDepartmentandin1973thebalanceoftheislandwasincludedintheAdirondackStatePark.AfterthemovementoftheAdirondackParkBlueLineBoundaryin1973,thestatebeganacquiringadditionalparcelsinanefforttoacquiretheentireisland.Asof2015,ValcourIslandisentirelyownedbytheStateofNewYork,exceptfora0.1acreparcelwhichhousesasteelCoastGuardTower;thissmallparcelisownedbytheU.S.CoastGuard.

8.SignalBuoy,GardenandSheepsheadIslandsThesethreeislandshavehistoricallyreceivedlowlevelsofuse.SignalBuoyandSheepsheadIslandsweresovereignlands.SheepsheadIslandhashistoricallyreceivedsomelightlevelsofdayuseandanoccasionalovernightuser.SheepsheadIslandhasoneprimitivetentsite.


SECTIONII:INVENTORY,USEANDCAPACITYTOWITHSTANDUSEA.NaturalResources1.Physicala.SoilsandGeologyTheChamplainValleywasformedduringtheOrdovicianperiod450millionyearsagowhentheNorthAmericanandEuropeancontinentscollidedandhugechunksoflandbetweenwhatarenowknownastheAdirondacksandGreenMountainsdroppeddown.ThiswastheoriginationofLakeChamplain.Overtime,glaciersmoldedthevalleyastheyplowedovertheland,pickingupsandandgravelandbreakingdownsectionsofrock.Thisdebrisactedasthescouringgritthatwouldroundoutthevalleyintothelakewerecognizetoday.Igneousintrusions,asoftenseenontheshoresofValcourIsland,occurredduringtheCretaceousperiodapproximately100millionyearsago.Theseigneousintrusionsarevisibleasdarkcoloreddikesinthelimestone.Allsoilsareformedbythechemicalandphysicalbreakdownofparentmaterial.Thesoilsontheislandsalsoformedinthismanner.ThesoilsthroughouttheChamplainValleyoriginatedfromclay,silt,sand,gravelandrocksdistributedbyglaciersduringthelastIceAge,10,000to12,500yearsago.AttheendoftheIceAge,around12,500yearsago,theglaciersbegantomeltandrecede,depositingtheirsediments.Theglaciersleftpilesofsand,gravel,androcksalongtheiredgesthatwerelatercarriedbythestreamsthatoriginatedfromthemeltingoftheglaciers.Valcour,Garden,Schuyler,Cole,Sheepshead,andSignalBuoyIslandsareformedpredominantlyofOrdovicianlimestonebedrock.TheSoilsandGeologysectionbelowwasdevelopedfrompersonalinterviews,onsitevisits,andwrittendocumentationfromGeraldSmithandtheU.S.D.A.EssexCountySoilSurvey.ValcourIslandThesurfacesoilsofValcourIslandareseparatedintotwomainsoilgroups:BensonLoamandKingsburyRhinebeckComplex.BensonLoamsconsistofshallow,somewhatexcessivelydrainedandexcessivelydrainedsoilsthatformedinhighlimeglacialtillorinwindandwaterdepositedmaterialmixedwithtillorcongeliturebateoverlimestone.Thesesoilsareonuplandswherebedrockisatadepthoflessthan20inches.Someareashavelimestonesinksorsolutioncracks.Thesoilsarefoundonslopesrangingfrom0%to50%.Theavailablewatercapacityismoderateorlow.Permeabilityismoderateormoderatelyslow.KingsburyRhinebeckComplexconsistsofverydeep,somewhatpoorlydrainedsoilsthatformedinhighlimelacustrineormarinesedimentsthatarehighinclaycontent.Thesesoilsarefoundonlakeplainswithslopesrangingfrom0%to50%.Theavailablewatercapacityishigh.Thepermeabilityismoderatelyslowinthesurface,andslowinthesubsoilandsubstratum.

SectionII:Inventory,Use,andCapacitytoWithstandUse


GardenIslandispredominantlyexposedOrdovicianlimestonebedrock.AportionofthebedrockmakinguptheislandiscoveredwithathinlayerofBensonLoam.SchuylerIslandThedistributionofsoilsonthisislandarerelativelycomplex.ThecoreoftheislandisashelfoffoldedlimestonefromtheBeekmantownformation,butbedrockislocatedwithin40inchesofthesurfaceinanarrowbandalongtheshorelineinthesoutheastquadrantoftheisland.Thesoilsinthesoutheastquadrantoftheislandaremappedasbeingshallow[10to20inchesdeeptobedrock]Farmingtonsoilsandmoderatelydeep[20to40inchestobedrock]Galwaysoils.Directlynorthoftheshallowlimestonebedrockarea,lyinginanarrowtroughseparatingthelimestoneareafromthemainnorthsouthtrendingridgemakinguptheisland,isanareaofverydeep[greaterthan6feetdeeptobedrock],relativelywet,heavyclaysoils.ThisareaismappedKingsburyclay.Lyinginnarrowbandsinthenorthwestandsoutheastquadrants,andatthenorthandsouthtipsoftheisland,areareasofverydeep,stony,loamy,glacialtillsoils.TheseareasaremappedAmeniafinesandyloam.Occupyingmostofthecentralnorthsouthridgeoftheisland,andthenortheastquadrantisaverycomplexareaofgravelly,loamysoilsunderlainbyheavyclay,andmostlikelythroughoutmostofthemapunit,theclayisthenunderlainbystony,loamyglacialtilldeposits.Thedrainagetrenchdugattheoldhousesiteatthetopoftheridgebestillustratedthiswithasequenceofabout2feetofstony,loamygraveloverabout2to3feetofheavyclay,overstony,loamy,compactglacialtill.ThesoilsinthisunitaremappedClaverackloamysandwhichisasandysoiloverheavyclay,buttheywouldprobablymorecloselyfitaVarysburgtaxajunctsoilnolongerintheEssexCountylegend.Varysburgsoilsareloamy,gravellyancientbeachridgedepositsunderlainbyheavyclay.TheVarysburgserieswasintheEssexmappinglegendatonetime,butwasdroppedandcombinedwithClaverack,whichisitsclosestfit.OthersmallareaswheretheseVarysburgsoilsweremappedalongthelakeareaareattheCraterClubinEssex,andafewplacesonWillsboroPoint.WithintheClaverack[Varysburgtaxajunct]unitinthenortheastquadrantoftheislandisasmallareaofverywet,heavyclay.ThisareaismappedCovingtonclay.Acoupleofwetspotsymbols,andafewgravelspotsymbolswereplacedonthesoilsmap.Thewetspotsindicatesignificantlywettersoilsthatweretoosmalltomapoutatthescaleused;ingeneral,thesetwoareasareprobablypoorlydrainedclaywithalittlesandontop.ThegravelspotsymbolsshowthatmostoftheClaveracksurfaceandsubsoilisgravellyinsteadofthemodalsandyparticlesize.Glacialandproglacial/postglacialdepositionofsedimentsontheislandareverycomplexasismostofthelakeplainareainEssexCounty.First,thickicedepositedalayerofstony,loamy,compactglacialdirectlyontopofthelocalbedrock.AsthemainiceloberecedednorthwarduptheChamplainValley,aproglaciallakefollowedtherecedingiceanddepositedvariabledepthsofsiltsandclaysinthelakebottom.Finally,aslakelevels,andlateronastheChamplainEstuarylevelsdroppedexposingthepresentdayisland,waveactionerodedandreworkedtheclayandtilldepositsgivingusthecomplexsedimentsweseetoday.Briefdescriptionsforthesesoilsfollow.DetailedtypicaldescriptionsofFarmington,Galway,Kingsbury,Amenia,ClaverackandCovingtonsoilscanbefoundintheEssexCountySoilSurvey,whichisavailableonlineathttp://soils.usda.gov.



32B Kingsburyclay3to8%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,gentlysloping,somewhatpoorlydrained,highlime,clayeysoilformedinmarineandlacustrinesediments.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityisslowinthesurfaceandveryslowinthesubsoilandsubstratum.Availablewatercapacityishigh.

NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance. ThismapunithaspotentialhydricinclusionsinEssexCounty.

34A Covingtonclay0to3%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,nearlylevel,poorlyandverypoorlydrained,highlimesoilformedinclayeysediments.Surfacerunoffisveryslow.Permeabilityismoderatelyslowinthesurfaceandsloworveryslowinthesubsoilandsubstratum.Availablewatercapacityishigh.

ThismapunitisconsideredtobeahydricsoilunitinEssexCounty. NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance.

41B Claverackloamyfinesand3to8%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,gentlysloping,moderatelywelldrained,mediumtohighlimesoilformedinsandyoverclayeysediments.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityisrapidinthesandyupperpartandsloworveryslowinthelowersubsoilandsubstratum.Availablewatercapacityismoderate.

NewYorkprimefarmland.

TheVarysburgseriesconsistsofverydeep,welldrainedandmoderatelywelldrainedsoilsondissectedlakeplains.Theyarenearlyleveltosteepsoilsformedingravellyoutwashmaterialandtheunderlyingveryslowlypermeableclayeylacustrinesediments.Sloperangesfrom0to50%.Permeabilityismoderatetomoderatelyrapidinthegravellymantleandveryslowintheclayeylacustrinematerial.73B Ameniasiltloam3to8%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,gentlysloping,moderatelywelldrained,highlime,loamysoilformedinglacialtilldeposits.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityismoderateinthesurfaceandsubsoil,andslowinthesubstratum.Availablewatercapacityishigh.

NewYorkprimefarmland.

77B FarmingtonGalwayComplex,rocky3to15%slopes.Thisisashallowandmoderatelydeep,gentlysloping,welldrained,highlime,loamysoilunitformedinglacialtilldepositsoverlimestonebedrock.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityismoderate.Availablewatercapacityisverylow.

NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance.

ColeIslandSoilsconsistoflacustrinesiltsandclaysperchedontopofasmallshelfoflimestone.Lacustrinesedimentsarefrom15to25feetthickontopoflimestone.Thelimestoneitselfrisesfrom0to8feetabovelakelevel.ThesummitoftheislandisgentlyslopingandsoilsareclassifiedasVergennesclay.SideslopesoftheislandareverysteepandareclassifiedasVergennesclaynearthetopoftheslope,butbecomemoresiltyatthebaseandarebetterclassifiedDunkirksiltloam.TheVergennesprofileobservedonsummitoftheislandhasunusuallythickalbichorizon[~20inches]suggestingthatacceleratederosionfromagriculturaloperationshasneveroccurred.



30B[VeB] Vergennesclay3to8%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,gentlysloping,moderatelywelldrained,highlime,clayeysoilformedinmarineandlacustrinesediments.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityissloworveryslow.Availablewatercapacityismoderate.

NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance

30E/F[VeE] Vergennesclay25to45%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,verysteep,moderatelywelldrained,highlime,clayeysoilformedinmarineandlacustrinedepositsusuallyadjacenttostreams.Surfacerunoffisveryrapid.Permeabilityissloworveryslow.Availablewatercapacityismoderate.185EF[DuE] Dunkirksiltloam25to45%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,verysteep,welldrained,highlime,siltyclaysoilformedinlakelaidsediments.Surfacerunoffisveryrapid.Permeabilityismoderateinthesurfaceanduppersubsoil,andmoderatelyslowbelow.Availablewatercapacityishigh.

SheepsheadIslandTheislandismadeupoflacustrinesiltsandclayscoveringasmallshelfoflimestonethatrisesabovelakelevel0to15feet.Lacustrinesedimentsarefrom1to8feetthickontopoflimestone.Outcropsoflimestonemakeupatleast15%oftheisland.TheentireislandisstronglyslopingandsoilsareclassifiedasVergennesclaywheretheyaregreaterthan6feetdeep,andareclassifiedasdeep,moderatelydeep,andshallowtaxajunctsofVergennesclaywheretheyarelessthan6feetdeep.30C[VeC] Vergennesclay8to15%slopes.Thisisaverydeep,stronglysloping,moderatelywelldrained,highlime,clayeysoilformedinmarineandlacustrinesediments.Surfacerunoffismedium.Permeabilityissloworveryslow.Availablewatercapacityismoderate.

NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance

SignalBuoyIslandSoilsappeartoconsistofflaggylimestoneglacialtillthathasbeenreworkedbywaveactionremovingthefinegrainedparticlesandleavingrockfragments,gravels,andsands,resemblingasomewhatactivebeachridge.Thehighpercentageoflimestoneflagstonesandchannersindicatethatperhapslimestonebedrockisnotveryfarbelowthesurface.Soilisextremelygravellyloamysandrangingtofragmentalonthesurface.ThesoilthatmostcloselyresemblesthissoilintheEssexlegendwouldbeaHowardverycobblyfinesandyloam.Thissoilalsohassimilaroriginsasthesoilsontheisland.Watertablesand,therefore,drainageclassareaffecteddirectlybylakelevel.112B[HcB] Howardverycobblyfinesandyloam,2to8%slopes,loamysubstratum.Thisisaverydeep,gentlysloping,welldrained,highlime,soilformedingravellybeachdeposits4to6feetdeepovercalcareous,denseglacialtill.Surfacerunoffisslow.Permeabilityismoderateormoderatelyrapidinthesurface,moderatelyrapidinthesubsoilanduppersubstratum,andslowinthelowersubstratum.

NewYorkfarmlandofstatewideimportance.

b.Terrain/TopographyThetopographyoftheislandsisrelativelyflat.AlltheislandsconsistofOrdovicianlimestonebedrockwithmostareascontaininglessthan30inchesofsoil.SomesmallsectionsofSchuylerandValcourhavedeepersoildepthsofupto60inches.ValcourandSchuylerIslandshavesharpcliffs,aswellasgentlyslopingshorelines.SchuylerIslandisrelativelyflatafteritsinitialascentfromthelakelevel.ValcourIslandismore



hillyandrollingwithgentleslopingbeachesthatgivewaytosteepbarecliffsupto30feetinelevationabovethelakelevel.GardenIslandjutssharplyoutofthewaterwith15to20footbarelimestonecliffs.Sheepshead,ColeandSignalBuoyIslandsareallmoremellowandgentlyslopingastheyriseoutofthelake.Eventhoughtheislandscoverasmallacreagevalue,theyarewidelydispersedthroughoutthemainlakesectionandarelocatedonvarioussectionsofU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)7.5x15minutequadrangletopographicalmaps.ThefollowingUSGSquadrangle(quad)mapscovertheLCIMC:ThenorthernhalfofValcourIslandismappedontheUSGSPlattsburghquad.ThesouthernhalfofValcourIsland,GardenIsland,andthenorthernhalfofSchuylerIslandaremappedontheKeesevillequad.ThesouthernhalfofSchuylerIslandismappedontheWillsboroBayquadwhileColeIslandcanbefoundontheWestportquad.BothSheepsheadandSignalBuoyIslandsaremappedontheCrownPointquadrangle.c.WaterTherearenonotablewaterbodiesfoundintheLCIMC.d.WetlandsThewetlandsdatafortheLCIMCwastakenfromtheNewYorkStateRegulatoryFreshwaterWetlandslayerforEssexCounty.ThemapsonlyshowwetlandsonValcourIsland;theremayormaynotbewetlandspresentontheotherislandsbuttheinformationavailableshowsnone.ThewetlandacreageforValcouris15.4acres.These15.4acresarebrokenupintothreeseparateareas.Thesethreeareaswillbemanagedtoprotect,preserveandmaintaintheirwetlandcharacter.e.AirResourcesAirResourcesandAtmosphericDepositionTheeffectsofactivitiesontheLCIMCairqualityhavenotbeensufficientlymeasurednordetermined.AirqualityandvisibilityintheLCIMCappearstobegoodtoexcellent,ratedClassII(moderatelywellcontrolled)byfederalandstatestandards.Airqualitymaybemoreaffectedbyparticulatematterblowninfromoutsidesourcesratherthanfromactivitieswithintheunit.TheadverseeffectsofatmosphericdepositionontheAdirondackenvironmenthasbeendocumentedbymanyresearchersoverthelasttwodecades.WhilepermanentmonitoringsiteshavenotbeenestablishedintheLCIMC,generalobservationsoftheeffectsofacidicdepositionontheregionalecosystemarenumerousandwelldocumented.EffectsofAcidicDepositiononForestSystemsAtpresent,themortalityanddeclineofredspruceathighelevationsinthenortheastandobservedreductionsinredsprucegrowthratesinthesouthernAppalachiansaretheonlycasesofsignificantforestdamageintheUnitedStatesforwhichthereisstrongscientificevidencethataciddepositionisaprimarycause(NationalScienceandTechnologyCouncilCommitteeonEnvironmentandNaturalResources,1998).ThefollowingfindingsoftheNationalAcidPrecipitationAssessmentProgram(1998)provideabroadoverviewoftheeffectsofacidicdepositionontheforestsoftheAdirondacks.Theinteractionofaciddepositionwithnaturalstressfactorshasadverseeffectsoncertainforestecosystems.Theseeffectsinclude:



Increasedmortalityofredspruceinthemountainsofthenortheast.Thismortalityisdueinparttoexposuretoacidcloudwater,whichhasreducedthecoldtoleranceofredspruce,resultinginfrequentwinterinjuryandlossoffoliage.

Reducedgrowthand/orvitalityofredspruceacrossthehighelevationportionofitsrange. Decreasesuppliesofcertainnutrientsinsoilstolevelsatorbelowthoserequiredforhealthy

growth.Nitrogendepositionisnowrecognizedwithsulfurasanimportantcontributortoeffectsonforestsinsomeecosystems,whichoccursthroughdirectimpactsviaincreasedfoliarsusceptibilitytowinterdamage,foliarleaching,leachingofsoilnutrients,elevationofsoilaluminumlevels,and/orcreationofnutrientimbalances.Excessiveamountsofnitrogencausenegativeimpactsonsoilchemistrysimilartothosecausedbysulfurdepositionincertainsensitivehighelevationecosystems.Itisalsoapotentialcontributortoadverseimpactsinsomelowelevationforests.SensitivereceptorsHighelevationsprucefirecosystemsintheeasternUnitedStatesepitomizesensitivesoilsystems.Basecationstoresaregenerallyverylow,andsoilsarenearorpasttheircapacitytoretainmoresulfurornitrogen.Depositedsulfurandnitrogen,therefore,passdirectlyintosoilwater,whichleachessoilaluminumandminimalamountsofcalcium,magnesium,andotherbasecationsoutoftherootzone.Thelowavailabilityofthesebasecationnutrients,coupledwiththehighlevelsofaluminumthatinterferewithrootstakingupthesenutrients,canresultinplantsnothavingsufficientnutrientstomaintaingoodgrowthandhealth.SugarmapledeclinehasbeenstudiedintheeasternUnitedStatessincethe1950's.Recently,studiessuggestthatthelossofcrownvigorandincidenceoftreedeathisrelatedtothelowsupplyofcalciumandmagnesiumtosoilandfoliage(Driscoll2002).Exposuretoacidiccloudsandaciddepositionhasreducedthecoldtoleranceofredspruceinthenortheast,resultinginfrequentwinterinjuryofcurrentyearfoliageduringtheperiod19601985.RepeatedlossoffoliageduetowinterinjuryhascausedcrowndeteriorationandcontributedtohighlevelsofredsprucemortalityintheAdirondackMountainsofNewYork,theGreenMountainsofVermont,andtheWhiteMountainsofNewHampshire.AciddepositionhascontributedtoaregionaldeclineintheavailabilityofsoilcalciumandotherbasecationsinhighelevationandmidelevationsprucefirforestsofNewYork,NewEngland,andthesouthernAppalachians.ThehighelevationsprucefirforestoftheAdirondacksandNorthernNewEnglandareidentifiedasoneoffourareasnationwidewithasensitiveecosystemandsubjecttohighdepositionrates.EffectsofAcidicDepositiononHydrologicSystemsNewYork'sAdirondackParkisoneofthemostsensitiveareasintheUnitedStatesaffectedbyacidicdeposition.Theparkconsistsofover6millionacresofforest,lakes,streamsandmountainsinterspersedwithdozensofsmallcommunities,andalargeseasonalpopulationfluctuation.However,duetoitsgeographyandgeology,itisoneofthemostsensitiveregionsintheUnitedStatestoacidicdepositionandhasbeenimpactedtosuchanextentthatsignificantnativefishpopulationshavebeenlostandsignaturehighelevationforestshavebeendamaged.



Therearetwotypesofacidificationaffectinglakesandstreams.Oneisaconditionwhenalakeisacidicallyearlong,referredtoaschronicallyorcriticallyacidic.Theotherisseasonalorepisodicacidificationassociatedwithspringmeltand/orrainstormevents.Alakeisconsideredinsensitivewhenitisnotacidifiedduringanytimeoftheyear.Lakeswithacidneutralizingcapability(ANC)valuesbelow0eq/Lareconsideredtobechronicallyacidic.LakeswithANCvaluesbetween0and50eq/Lareconsideredsusceptibletoepisodicacidification;ANCmaydecreasebelow0eq/Lduringhighflowconditionsintheselakes.LakeswithANCvaluesgreaterthan50eq/Lareconsideredrelativelyinsensitivetoinputsofacidicdeposition(Driscoll2001).WatershedsexperiencingepisodicacidificationareverycommonintheAdirondackregion.A1995EPAReporttoCongressestimatedthat70%ofthetargetpopulationlakesareatriskofepisodicacidificationatleastonceduringtheyear.Additionally,EPAreportedthat19%oftheselakeswereacidicin1984,basedontheirsurveysofwaterslargerthan10acres.A1990reportbytheAdirondackLakesSurveyCorporation(ALSC)(whichincludedlakesoflessthan10acresinanextensivesurveyof1,469lakesintheAdirondacks,foundthat24%ofAdirondacklakeshadsummerpHvaluesbelow5.0,alevelofcriticalconcerntobiota.Moreover,approximatelyhalfofthewatersintheAdirondackssurveyedhadANCvaluesbelow50makingthemsusceptibletoepisodesofacidification.Confirmingthat,EPAsEnvironmentalMonitoringandAssessmentProgram(EMAP)samplingin19911994revealedthat41%oftheAdirondacklakeswerechronicallyacidicorsusceptibletoepisodicacidification,demonstratingthatahighpercentageofwatershedsintheAdirondacksareunabletoneutralizecurrentlevelsofacidrain.Inadditiontosensitivelakes,theAdirondackregionincludesthousandsofmilesofstreamsandrivers,alsosensitivetoacidicdeposition.Whileitisdifficulttoquantifytheimpact,itiscertainthattherearelargenumbersofAdirondackbrooksthatwillnotsupportnativeAdirondackbrooktrout.OverhalfoftheseAdirondackstreamsandriversmaybeacidicduringspringsnowmeltwhenhighaluminumconcentrationsandtoxicwaterconditionsadverselyimpactaquaticlife.Thisadverseeffectwillcontinueunlessfurtherlimitsareplacedonemissionsofacidrainprecursors.PermanentLTMmonitoringsitesarelocatedaroundthisUnit.Summariesofthosesitesdatacanbefoundat(http://www.adirondacklakessurvey.com)seeALSCInformation.TheAdirondackLongTermMonitoring(LTM)program,managedbytheALSC,hasbeensamplingchemistryin52lakesacrosstheAdirondackParkonamonthlybasis.

2.ClimateTheregion'sclimate,ingeneralterms,isbestdescribedascoolandmoist.Themountainsoneithersideofthelakeofferprotectionandhelptomoderatetheclimateofthelakeanditssurroundingarea.TheclimateintheChamplainValleyisthemildestinnorthernNewYorkandVermont.Thetemperaturesinthevalleyaremoderatedbythelakeuntilitfreezesover,usuallyinlateJanuary.ThelakewillusuallyremainfrozenuntillateMarch.Summerstendtobewarmwithcoolnights.Maximumdaytimetemperaturesseldomexceed95F.Coolbreezesblowinlandfromthelakeinthesummer.Wintersarelongandcold.Extremesoftemperaturefrom0F,oftenaccompaniedbyhighwinds,toashighas85Farecommon.Annualprecipitation,inrainfall,isbetween30and50inchesperyear.TheChamplainValleygrowingseasonisapproximately150days.



Duetotheavailabilityofdirectsunlight,southernslopesaredrierthannorthernslopes.Thelattertendtoretainmoremoisture.Prevailingwindsaregenerallysoutherlyduringthesummer,butmaybemodifiedbytopography.Duringwintermonths,theprevailingwindschangetoanorthwesterlydirectionwithoccasionalstormscomingfromthenortheast.Easternslopes,leewardofprevailingwinds,tendtobedrierthanwesternslopes.Extensivedamagingwinds(hurricaneforce)arerare,butdooccurwhencoastalstormsmoveinland.

3.Biologicala.VegetationBesidestheendangeredandrarespecies,whicharediscussedintheCriticalHabitatsection,theislandsconsistofnativenortheasternconifersandnorthernhardwoods.Theislandsarehometoseveralvarietiesofgrass.Theseopengrassyareasareremnantsofearliertimeswhenportionsoftheislandswereactivelyfarmed.Generallyspeaking,theislandvegetationiswelldiversified.TheuplandareasprimarilyfoundonValcour,butalsoontheotherislands,arehometoavarietyofnorthernhardwoodspecies.Thelower,wetterareasarehometotheconifersandsoftwoods.Thesespeciesareallcommononthesurroundinglandsoutsideofthisunit.NorthernhardwoodsontheislandsintheLCIMCarefoundonthebetterdrained,morefertileuplands.Theglacialsoilsfavoraforestassociationofsugarmaple,redmaple,Americanbeech,whiteandyellowbirch,aswellasblackcherryandwhiteash,whichareminorassociates.Theestablishmentofwhiteandblackspruce,easternwhitecedar,hemlock,whitepineandbalsamfirspeciesreflectcoolertemperatures,increasedmoisture,andlowerelevationsclosertothelake.Astheelevationrises,amixedforestofconifersandhardwoodsiscommon.ThehighestpointintheLCIMCisonValcourIsland,ataheightof191feetabovesealevel.Increasedelevationandimproveddrainagefavorthegrowthofmaples,birches,easternhemlockandeasternwhitepine.Thedominantgroundcoverismountainlaurelandhobblebush.Variousferns,grassesandwildflowersarealsopresent.Theforesttendstobequitedenseandlittlesunlightreachestheforestfloor.TheforestcanopyconsistsofawidevarietyoftreespeciesincludingsomemoreoftenassociatedwithclimatesthataremilderthantheAdirondacks,suchasswampwhiteoak(Quercusbicolor).TheperimeterofValcourIslandfromIndianPointarounditssouthernend,uptheeasternshoretoBeautyBay,andthenorthernshoreofBluffPointispredominantlysoftwoodswithnorthernwhitecedar(Thujaoccidentalis)beingthemostcommon.Othersoftwoodsfoundscatteredandingrovesontheislandinclude:

Easternwhitepine (Pinusstrobus)Redpine (Pinusresinosa)Easternhemlock (Tsugacanadensis)Redspruce (Picearubens)Whitespruce (Piceaglauca)Blackspruce (Piceamariana)Balsamfir (Abiesbalsamea)Juniper (Juniperuscommunis)



TheshorelinefromBeautyBayaroundthenorthendoftheisland,downthewestshoretoNorthBayandaroundBullheadBayispredominantlyhardwoods.Speciesinclude:

Cottonwood (Populusdeltoides)Quakingaspen (Populustremuloides)Bigtoothaspen (Populusgrandidentata)Swampwhiteoak (Quercusbicolor)Basswood (Tiliaamericana)Whiteash (Fraxinusamericana)Sugarmaple (Acersaccharum)Redmaple (Acerrubrum)Americanelm (Ulmusamericana)

Themeadowsrangefromsuccessionaloldfieldswhereover50%oftheareaisforbs,grassesandherbs,tosuccessionalshrublandwhereover50%oftheareaisinshrubs,tothesuccessionalnorthernhardwoods.Theislandalsosupportsmanyalpinespeciessuchasrocksandwort,dwarfshadbushandalpinerush.Thisispartiallyduetoconstantbuffetingofwinds.Naturalinfluencesaregenerallysubtle,butsometimesbecomedramaticastheycontinuetoshapethevegetationandwildlifefoundontheislands.AnexampleofdramaticinfluencewastheuniqueicestormofJanuary,1998.Theicestormcausedsignificantnaturalthinningofbothsoftwoodsandhardwoodsoncertainareasoftheisland.Thisdamageisstillevidentin2015.Inlocationswithshallowersoils,treeswereuprooted.Wheresoilsweredeeperortherewasmutualsupport,wholetopsorupperbrancheswerebrokenoff.Largewhitepineswereespeciallysusceptibletohavingupperbranchesrippedfromtheirtrunks.Aspenalsohadextensivebrokentops.Lessdramatic,butconsistant,istheinfluenceofwind,aswitnessedbytheshapeofthetreecrownsalongtheshoreline,especiallyonthehighbluffsatthesouthendofValcourIsland.Alongwiththewind,theimpactofwinddrivenlakeiceandwaveactiononexposedshorelinesmakestheseareasinhospitableforvegetationfoundinthemoreshelteredareasoftheislands.Still,thesehabitatsarehometouniquespeciesthatcouldnotsurviveelsewhere.MosttreesalongthenorthernshoreofValcourIslandshownumerousscarsfromwinddrivenlakeicegrindingagainstthem.InvasivePlantsTerrestrialInvasivePlantInventoryIn1998,theAdirondackNatureConservancy'sInvasivePlantProjectinitiatedED/RRsurveysalongAdirondackParkroadsides.Expertandtrainedvolunteersreported412observationsof10plantspeciesthroughouttheareasurveyed,namelyNYSDOTRightofWays(ROW).In1999,theAPIPPwasexpandedtoincludesurveyingbackroadsandthe"backcountry"(undevelopedareasawayfromroads)toidentifythepresenceorabsenceof15invasiveplantspecies.BothsurveyswereconductedundertheauspicesoftheInvasivePlantCouncilofNewYorks"TopTwentyList"ofnonnativeplantslikelytobecomeinvasivewithinNewYorkState.AcontinuumofED/RRsurveysnowexistsundertheguidanceoftheAPIPP.AssessmentsfromtheseinitialED/RRsurveysdeterminedthatfourterrestrialplantspecieswouldbetargetedforcontrolandmanagementbaseduponspecificcriteriasuchasgeophysicalsetting,abundance



anddistribution,multipletransportvectorsandthelikelihoodofhumaninfluenceddisturbance.Thefourpriorityterrestrialinvasiveplantspeciesare:purpleloosestrife(Lythrumsalicaria),commonreed(Phragmitesaustralis),japaneseknotweed(Polygonumcuspidatum)andgarlicmustard(Alliariapetiolata).TheAdirondackParkissusceptibletofurtherinfestationbyinvasiveplantspeciesintentionallyoraccidentallyintroducedtothisecoregion.WhilemanyofthesespeciesarenotcurrentlydesignatedapriorityspeciesbyAPIPP,theymaybecomeestablishedwithinorinproximitytoaunitandrequireresourcestomanage,monitor,andrestorethesite.Infestationslocatedwithinandinproximitytoaunitmayexpandandspreadtouninfectedareasandthreatennaturalresourceswithinaunit;therefore,itiscriticaltoidentifyinfestationslocatedbothwithinandinproximitytoaunitandthenassesshighriskareasandprioritizeED/RRandmanagementefforts.AquaticInvasivePlantInventoryAquaticinvasiveplantspeciesdocumentedintheAdirondackParkareEurasianwatermilfoil(Myriophyllumspicatum),waterchestnut(Trapanatans),curlyleafpondweed(Potamogetoncrispus),fanwort(Cabombacaroliniana),Europeanfrogbit(Hydrocharusmorsusranae),andyellowfloatingheart(Nymphoidespeltata).Specieslocatedintheparkthataremonitoredforpotentialinvasibilityincludevariableleafmilfoil(Myriophyllumheterophyllum),southernnaiad(Najasguadalupensis),andbrittlenaiad(Najasminor).AdditionalspeciesofconcerninNewYorkState,butnotyetdetectedinthepark,arestarrystonewort(Nitellopsisobtusa),hydrilla(Hydrillaverticillata),waterhyacinth(Eichhorniacrassipes),andbrazilianelodea(Egeriadensa).Aquaticinvasiveplantsareprimarilyspreadviahumanactivities;therefore,lakeswithpublicaccess,andthoseconnectedtolakeswithpublicaccess,areathigherriskofinvasion.Documentationofaquaticinvasiveplantdistributionsintheparkislimitedbythenumberoflakesandpondsthathavebeensurveyedandthefre

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