Goal:

To provide at least one complete visual surveillance per year, of the entire Schroon Lake and River shorelines for presence or absence of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) and report findings for appropriate follow up.

Objectives:

• To establish a cooperative sponsoring effort of the two Lake Associations (East Shore Schroon Lake Association (ESSLA) and Schroon Lake Association (SLA)).
• To recruit 20% of the 618 River and Lake shore owners, and others, over a five year period, (2008-2012) as Scouts, to voluntarily perform the visual inspections out to a depth of 16’.
• To provide training for Scouts on EWM identification and reporting.  See link below to view 1/2 hour WEB video Scout Training.
• To have each Scout survey, as a minimum, their own waterfront at least once per year during the summer when growth of EWM is most visual.
• To encourage Scouts to cover more than just their own property shore line especially during the Scout pool build up.
  • NOTE: In 2011 a pilot program called “The Super Scout Program” will be introduced.  Approximately 25-30 Super Scouts will cover 48 1/2 mile shoreline zones, a minimum of 1/2 mile of shoreline each, with some Scouts covering up to 2 miles.   This will cover the entire shoreline and it is hoped that as the pool of trained Scouts builds up each Super Scout will only need to cover 1/2 mile of shoreline at most.
• To establish a 24/7 Scout call in Hot-Line (494-4849) for reporting all surveillance results.
• To establish a Scout Management Team consisting of a Warren County Coordinator, an Essex County Coordinator and a Dive Team Coordinator. Team is responsible for recruiting Scouts, verifying Scout reports, and making sure EWM is expeditiously removed.
• To work closely and in coordination with the Schroon Lake “Lake Manager”.
• To report each year the results of the Scout program to the volunteer base, the leadership and membership of the sponsoring associations, and all interested local, state and federal agencies.

Program Parameters:

1. Estimated number of property owners:   618

2. NEW Five year goal for Scout recruitment (20% of 618) :  125 Scouts

3. Recruitment  statistics and projections:

a. 2008 season……… (actual) 35

b. 2009 season ………(actual) 30…….(cumulative) 65

c. 2010 season………. (actual) 20…….(cumulative) 85

d. 2011 season……….. (goal) 20………(cumulative projected) 105

e. 2012 season……….. (goal) 20………(cumulative projected) 125

4. Hot Line – Activated 24/7 year round.

YOU CAN VIEW THE 1/2 HOUR SCOUT TRAINING VIDEO HERE.  More info