Sacandaga Lake permit holders speak out against revision
NORTHVILLE, N.Y. -- Many Sacandaga Lake permit holders are becoming increasingly vocal in their opposition to the revised lake access rules.
"I'm concerned about people coming on my dock. I'm concerned about a lot on intrusion that I shouldn't have to put up with. I paid for it. I worked my life for what I got and I don't feel it should be taken away," said Northville resident John Vincent.
Under current rules only permit holders are allowed to have exclusive access to the state-owned land. The revisions would open up the land around the lake for public use. The state Department of Environmental Conservation proposed the revision the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District has approved the changes. Now the Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform has the final say.
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"It's been a 76-year old practice that we go on a permit system here and that now the lands since it is state owned they have to be open to public access which will have huge impacts on property values on people's quality of life here," said Northampton Town Supervisor Lina Kemper.
Jace Tuccio is a back lot permit holder. He owns land not directly on the lake but across the street from it. If the proposed revisions are approved, then he would no longer have guaranteed access to the shoreline.
"If they allow this to go through, then my property value will drop my property wont be as desirable," said Tuccio.
The Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following statement:
"DEC is responsible for ensuring that state lands, including the Forest Preserve, are appropriately used and managed. This includes ensuring public access to state lands. The rules as originally proposed by the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District wanted to exclude the public from the state-owned land by giving exclusive rights to permit holders, and accordingly DEC could not approve the regulations. The revisions made by regulating district corrects this problem by allowing the public to access the state-owned land, while preserving the right of permit holders to utilize state land to access the lake."
The Great Sacandaga Lake Association has sent out a petition asking the DEC to hold open meetings so that the public can voice their opinions on the situation.