Take Saratoga Lake salinization seriously

I applaud the Saratoga Lake Association’s concern with the use, or overuse, of road salt on the watershed area’s roads. Saratoga Lake has long been seen as taking a back seat to our other beautiful Adirondack lakes, like its big sister, Lake George. I was appalled that Saratoga Lake Protection and Improvement District felt that any action to reduce the salinization of Saratoga Lake was unnecessary.

Many leading ecologists have noted that elevated chloride levels in the lakes can damage the ecosystems that support fish and native aquatic growth. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has suggested that all of the region’s towns review their use of road salt. I was caught off guard by the protection district’s stance, especially given that its title seems to imply they should be looking out for the lake.

Saratoga Lake has been long revered as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the region and hosts some of the fastest-growing towns in the state. DEC simply called for a commonsense approach to how we salt our roads given the recent Adirondack study. This would be the first step, and it would add little to no additional cost to the towns in the protection district.

Just to discount this study by citing Saratoga Lake having a limestone base rich in minerals as the cause for a steady rise or high level of chloride seems to be grabbing at straws to discount what many distinguished scientists have concluded. If it’s good for Lake George, it is good for Saratoga Lake. Tom Lochner Malta