As part a collaborative effort to mitigate the impact of acid rain and restore brook trout to the Adirondacks, state helicopters delivered 80 tons of lime to an acidified pond in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area in the Town of Webb, according to New York State Department of Environ-mental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Judy Drabicki.
Approximately 40 DEC staff and New York State Police helicopter crews conducted the liming operation on March 10, 12 and 13, she said.
This included 120 helicopter flights to transport 160,000 pounds of lime.
The flights originated from a staging area near the boat launch at Stillwater Reservoir to Bear Pond.
Crews deposited the lime on the ice at the pond and later spread it across the frozen surface.
The liming of acidic lakes or ponds is a management tool used to neutralize the water’s acidity.
This allows for a water quality that is more favorable for fish and aquatic life.
When the pond thaws this spring, the lime will enter the water and reduce its acidity level.
“Each year, fisheries staff selects an Adirondack pond for liming to reintroduce brook trout in the Adiron-dacks,” Regional Director Drabicki said.
The effort involves months of planning and coordination with DEC operations staff, forest rangers and forestry staff, according to Drabicki.
Also involved are State police helicopters, pilots and crews.
“This joint effort is critical to reclaim waters impaired by acid rain and restore native habitats to these Adirondack waters,” Drabicki said.
DEC fishery staff is optimistic that these operations will successfully return brook trout to some large Adiron-dack ponds and lakes.
Larger water bodies in the Adirondacks maintain a deep cold water layer right through the summer (referred to as stratification).
This is in contrast to smaller ponds where water layers mix, resulting in warmer water temperatures that are not as suitable for brook trout.
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2015-16 Executive Budget is proposing an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state’s hatcheries.
The Budget also proposes to create a new capital account to be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation.
