The Lake George Association announced today that Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company is donating an additional $20,000 to the LGA for the West Brook Conservation Initiative (WBCI) project, located on the former Gaslight Village property. This gift brings Glens Falls National Bank\u2019s total commitment to the project to $25,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all of our 125 year history, the West Brook Conservation Initiative is the Lake George Association\u2019s largest, most important water quality remediation effort,\u201d said Walt Lender, executive director of the LGA. \u201cThis project will treat millions of gallons of stormwater,\u201d he continued, \u201cwhile also educating thousands of annual Lake George visitors about the importance of water quality. We are so grateful to Glens Falls National for recognizing the importance of this project.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGlens Falls National Bank has been a strong partner from the start. We appreciate their increased support,\u201d said Victor Hershaft, LGA president.<\/p>\n
Due to the filling of historic wetlands, channeling of the stream, and development in the stream\u2019s watershed, West Brook today is the single largest source of contaminants \u2014 pollution, nutrients and sediment \u2014 entering the south basin of Lake George. The delta at the mouth of the brook has grown to over 7,000 square meters. To date, $9.4 million has been raised toward the $15 million dollar project.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere at Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company we are well aware of the central role Lake George plays in our region\u2019s economy. We know that protecting the exceptional quality of the lake\u2019s water is essential, and are very excited about this project, as we believe it is key to ensuring a healthy future for the lake and its citizens,\u201d said Tom Hoy, CEO and chairman of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company. \u201cAnd as a result of our donation, we hope other businesses will be able to support this Lake George project as well,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, grading and infrastructure for a stormwater treatment complex was completed on the south parcel of the property. This series of sediment ponds and wetlands will naturally slow stormwater generated from the Route 9 corridor and adjoining properties, capture sediment, and filter pollutants. Wetland plants will be installed next year. Project engineers estimate that 90% of the sediment will be successfully treated and over one-half of the nutrients will be removed.<\/p>\n
Conceptual designs for an interactive environmental education park and festival space on the property are underway, and were approved earlier this fall by the Warren County Board of Supervisors. Public input for the designs was gathered over the summer, and a public review of the concepts will occur later this fall.<\/p>\n
Significant state and federal funding has been acquired to complete the construction of the project, but monies still need to be raised from private individuals and corporations to pay for the conservation easement on the land. In addition to a $2.1 million loan on the Gaslight Village purchase by the LGA and the FUND for Lake George, the Lake George Land Conservancy is carrying a $2.7 million loan on the 1,400-acre Berry Pond tract, which protects the upland watershed for West Brook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Lake George Association announced today that Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company is donating an additional $20,000 to the LGA for the West Brook Conservation Initiative (WBCI) project, located on the former Gaslight Village property. This gift brings Glens Falls National Bank\u2019s total commitment to the project to $25,000. \u201cIn all of our … <\/p>\n