ESSLA’s History

Our story begins with a letter dated July 21, 1966, addressed to “Property Owners, East Shore Schroon Lake” from Frank J. McCaig. It was a call to arms against vandalism, noise, and speeding — a far cry from the notion that ESSLA was founded as a social group.

By September 1966, now President McCaig announced that the association was fully formed, with 50 paid members and dues set at $5 per year. By March 1967, three resolutions had passed: one on water pollution (specifically urging the Health Department to classify the lake water as AA or suitable for drinking), two urging town boards to protect health, welfare and morals and three requesting a 35-mph speed limit on East Shore Drive and beyond. Cooperation was sought with nearby lake associations — Brant Lake agreed, Schroon Lake did not respond, which was deemed “regrettable.”

Membership grew to 54 by July 1967, still limited to property owners. A picnic was planned and held in September. By early 1968, ESSLA had helped raise the lake’s water classification to AA (which mandated greater pollution control), although vandalism and speeding remained concerns. This marked the first mention of our constitution.

By April 1969, 80 families had joined — still only half of the potential landowner membership. Horicon enacted a zoning law, and a membership roster was underway. In 1970, dues were reduced to $3, and McCaig was term limited. ESSLA protested the state’s proposed purchase of Scaroon Manor and Camp Cayuga. Pollution from village discharges was a concern. By 1972, the village sewage system was underway, but East Shore Drive reconstruction lagged, and noise from Word of Life was deemed excessive.

In 1978, lake water quality remained a major concern. Plans emerged for a recreational area in the Hamlet of Adirondack. Yet half the members hadn’t paid their reduced dues!

Beginning around 1990, the Adirondack Lodges began construction in the Hamlet of Adirondack. Over time, it expanded to 54 townhouses and 22 single-family homes at Mill Creek, boosting both our membership and finances. Membership is no longer

limited to landowners — we now have members from far beyond Schroon Lake.

Two major surges in membership occurred — one in 2007 after our first wide-area direct mail campaign, and another eight years later with further direct- mail expansion. There are now over 1,000 members. Around that time, we eliminated dues and introduced tiered membership levels which greatly improved our treasury.

Over the years, funds were raised through dues, garage sales, donation boxes, drawings at ice cream socials, and even the hilarious “nudies on the pontoon” calendar in 2010. Today, thanks to generous member support, we no longer need to fundraise — instead, we have been able to support other organizations and initiatives.

Though ESSLA has operated under a constitution since 1967, governance changed in 2010. That year ESSLA filed a certificate of incorporation and bylaws with the state, obtained a federal tax exemption, and secured a sales tax exemption from New York State. Since 1966, we’ve had 17 presidents of the organization.

In 2007, ESSLA partnered with Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District (WCSWCD), Schroon Lake Association (SLA), and the three towns of Schroon, Chester and Horicon to create the 2010 Schroon Lake Watershed Management Plan, which was updated in 2020. A shoreline scout program was initiated to locate Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), aiding hand-harvesters of that invasive species. ESSLA also helped establish a boat stewards’ program to inspect watercraft for invasive species.

These efforts earned ESSLA the Conservationist of the Year award from WCSWCD and Lake Steward of the Year award from the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA). ESSLA investigated the lake for another invasive species, Asian clams. Thankfully none were found. Over time ESSLA also expanded its focus to include terrestrial invasive species, including the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). The organization was also able to support the HWA Coalition and now scouts for HWA in the Schroon Lake watershed.

ESSLA has considered advocating for mandatory septic inspections during property transfers and worked with Schroon Lake Park District (SLPD) and SLA to study riverbed conditions to mitigate lake level fluctuations. It has also partnered with dozens of nonprofits, lake associations, counties, and towns — learning from and supporting them and their good work to protect the Adirondack environment. With the SLA, ESSLA co-funds the annual swim-over after each season of hand harvesting in order to better understand the effect of that treatment to stop the spread of EWM. Together the two organizations also produced a lake map for boaters which includes warnings about aquatic invasive species.

Though not founded as a social organization, ESSLA has built a vibrant community with annual dinners, ice cream socials, and other gatherings. The Pearl, the ESSLA bi-annual newsletter, began modestly in 2013 and now reaches over 2,000 homes. The award-winning electronic newsletter, the Mini Pearl, is emailed to almost 1,000 members, partners and readers and boasts a 64% open rate by its recipients.

Education about issues affecting our lake is central to our mission. ESSLA has sponsored floating classrooms, online seminars, student field trips, booths at the SLA arts and crafts fair, facilitated dozens to earn the NYS Boater Safety certification and even created an activity book for children. Recently a scholarship program for students pursuing environmental and allied studies has made awards.

The ESSLA website, once very sparse and basic, is now beautiful, informative, engaging and easy to navigate — helping members and the public understand who ESSLA is and what ESSLA does.

Recent initiatives include a very popular certified loon-friendly lake program. Floating nesting platforms have been installed, and loon chicks have been born on them. One fledged loon chick born on a nesting platform became entangled in fishing line, was captured and saved by ESSLA members and the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. ESSLA is currently investigating and raising awareness about wake boat hazards, distributing flyers at boat launches and cleaning beach areas.

ESSLA has grown over the past 60 years from a call to arms into a respected force for good on Schroon Lake and its watershed. Each year brings new challenges, and thanks to the ESSLA members and partners, the organization continues to meet them—while staying true to our mission of preserving, protecting and improving the waters and lands of Schroon Lake.