Deicing the Adirondacks

 Last week I examined some of the local effects of an extreme winter. I had mentioned the use of road ice, but never thought anything more of it. While browsing through the Adirondack Almanac, I came across multiple articles that discuss the problems associated with deicing practices. Road salt is something a lot of people take for granted and while it is a necessity for road safety; it does pose many environmental hazards. Not only are traditional deicing practices inefficient but they also increase the risk of environmental degradation. Therefore it is important to support the use of modern deicing technology.

            Rock salt has been used since the 1940s and has traditionally been spread as a dry rock compound. But this style of spreading is not efficient and studies have shown that between 30-40% of the salt bounces off of the road (Guest Contributor). Not only does this mean that we must dump more salt, but it also means a greater environmental risk for the wilderness surrounding the roads. Road salt can affect both the soil and water systems it infiltrates. In the recent study State of the Lake: Chief Concerns as Revealed by Science, the FUND for Lake George cites road salt as the cause of the lake’s three-fold increase in salt concentrations (Editorial Staff). Road salt can make its way to a lake either through surface water runoff or groundwater infiltration. The water that has mixed with the road salt will settle towards the bottom of a lake because NaCl increases the density of water. The contaminated mix that settles towards the bottom of the river creates a chemical stratification, which prevents oxygen from circling through the deeper layers of the lake. If the lake floor is unable to circulate oxygen it is not able to support life and becomes a dead zone. This is a major problem facing the health of a lake. Since road salt has dramatically changed the salt levels of Lake George, environmentalists and state officials have taken steps towards mitigation.

            Since the release of their study, the FUND has worked hard to urge municipalities to reduce their salt use. The FUND has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding, which requires municipalities “to work in good faith to create an effective program to reduce the levels of salt application surrounding Lake George” (Hall). If municipalities sign on then they will receive a grant to use towards better equipment and salt resources. One strategy of deicing that is more efficient is using a salt brine slurry rather than dry rock salt. Using a wet mixture ensures that the salt will stick to the road immediately and will greatly reduce the chance of displacement (Guest Contributor). There is still time to reduce the salt concentrations of Lake George before it reaches the tipping point, but local municipalities will need to act now in order to mitigate this problem. Unfortunately many bodies of water have salt levels far worse than Lake George. The USGS has found that many waterways in the Northeast have toxic levels of salt due to the use of dry road salt. Hopefully the steps taken to help Lake George can serve as a model for other lakes throughout the Northeast.

Works Cited

Editorial Staff. "Lake George Threats, Protection Measures Outlined -." The Adirondack Almanack. The Adirondack Almanack, 14 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/01/lake-george-threats-protection-measures-outlined.html>.

Guest Contributor. "Road Salt Use Wasteful, Damaging." The Adirondack Almanack. The Adirondack Almanack, 05 Apr. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/04/road-salt-use-wasteful-damaging.html>.

Hall, Anthony F. "Fund: Lake George Salt Levels Can Be Cut 40% -." The Adirondack Almanack. The Adirondack Almanack, 25 Mar. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2015/03/fund-lake-george-salt-levels-can-be-cut-40.html>.

"Water Quality Impacts - Environmental, Health and Economic Impacts of Road Salt - Salt Reduction - Watershed Assistance Section - NH Department of Environmental Services." NH Department of Environmental Services. NH Department of Environmental Services, n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-initiative/impacts.htm#waterquality>.

Challenge By Choice in the Adirondacks

Adventures in nature are the strongest glue that holds people together.  The survivalist thrill of living for weeks on end in the backcountry is exhausting yet exhilarating.  With nothing but the clothes on your back and the food in your pack, you quickly become immersed into your surroundings.  The National Outdoor Leadership School uses this same fundamental principle of cohesion under stress to bring groups of kids as young as 14 and adult instructors together.  They send out dozens of annual trips all around the world, teaching students a variety of skills from backpacking the Indian Himalayan mountains to sea-kayaking the Alaskan coastal waters.  This program, also known as NOLS, is a leader in wilderness experiential education.  It not only trains its students in backcountry survival and medical expertise, but also develops their leadership skills.  NOLS believes that the challenges and difficulties only found in the wilderness are the best teaching situations in which to learn and develop relationships with fellow students and instructors.

The wilderness of the Adirondacks is just the type of backcountry experience NOLS looks for in a program site.  While thousands of groups visit the Adirondack park every year, NOLS is one of the only programs that incorporates outdoor education into adventure within the park.  This two week trip teaches high school students about the public policy that shapes and preserves the wilderness of the Adirondacks.  While most courses venture into distant national parks around the world, the program in the Adirondacks is the only NOLS course located close to residential areas.  However, this is just the nature of the park and the main benefit to studying the area.  Though this course does not have the same "backcountry" feel of, say, the Patagonian outback, it does offer the most unique learning environment.  The Adirondacks are a place where humans and nature intermingle, and it is in this transition zone that we learn how effective our current environmental policy and conservation efforts truly are.  I fully believe it is just as important to teach high school students about stewardship as it is to experience the wilderness, and NOLS has found the perfect place to do so.



Sources:
http://www.nols.edu/

Grace Peak

On June 12 of 2014, East Dix Peak was officially renamed Grace Peak in honor of Grace Hudowalski. Renaming an Adirondack peak, especially one of the original 46 peaks, is nearly impossible - the effort requires public support, strict adherence to state regulations and a legitimate reason for the name change. Yet Grace’s contributions to the Adirondack Park and the public desire for the mountain to take her name supersede the effort it will take to officially change East Dix to Grace Peak.

Grace Hudowalski, also known as the matriarch of the 46ers, was the first woman to climb all 46 peaks (Hill, 2014). She continued to act as a mentor for other people, especially other women, who took the challenge to hike all 46 Adirondack Peaks (“East Dix…”, 2015). Grace also became an outspoken advocate for the conservation of the park and maintaining the New York State “forever wild” clause (“Article XIV of the New York State Constitution”, 2014). For her dedication to the park and outreach to future recreationists, the Adirondack community advocated for and supported the decision to commemorate her legacy with the renaming of Grace’s Peak.

 

Despite open public support, there has been opposition to this decision. Daniel Egan, ex-editor of 46 Peaks Magazine, argued against the renaming of East Dix Peak. He reasoned that changing the peak name would create more confusion for historians who already struggle to compile Adirondack information (Hill, 2014). Also, the argument has been made that renaming East Dix would dishonor Governor Dix, the original namesake of the peak. Yet, the “Grace Peak” advocates were able to convince New York State governing groups by challenging both arguments. Adirondack history is riddled with confusion – from claiming and reclaiming land to defining and redefining boundaries. Therefore, a well-documented peak renaming shouldn’t have a negative impact on Adirondack history. Additionally, Governor Dix already has the South Dix Peak bearing his name. Renaming East Dix shouldn’t have an impact on the governor’s legacy.

 

The renaming of East Dix Peak celebrates Grace Hudowalski’s legacy of Adirondack Park conservation and openness to hiking the Adirondack peaks. Her spirit of adventure will continue to live and be enjoyed by the countless explorers who visit Grace Peak. 

 

ADK Forty Sixers

Sources

"East Dix Officially Renamed “Grace Peak” in Honor of Grace Hudowalski."The Adirondack Forty-Sixers. The Adirondack Forty-Sixers, 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://adk46er.org/news.html>.

Hill, Michael. "Lofty Consideration." Adirondack Life. Adirondack Life Inc., Dec. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.adirondacklifemag.com/blogs/2014/10/21/lofty-consideration/>.

United States. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Article XIV of the New York State Constitution. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/55849.html>.

Citizen Science?

I am not doing very much to combat climate change. I know more about it than the vast majority of people, and yet all I can bring myself to do is use a single paper towel instead of three when I dry my hands in the bathroom. Since I learned about climate change, I have felt helpless, callous and angry with myself for feeling this way. The reason for these feelings is that there aren’t very many ways for me to easily make a difference. Sure, I can limit my use of plastic bottles, hot water, overly packaged food etc. but none of these actions feel very connected to making a difference. Today I happened across a program called FrogWatch USA that is one of the most hands on, connected to our surroundings programs I have ever heard of, and the premise is very interesting. 

FrogWatch USA is a national program that tracks data about the population levels and species densities of frogs, collecting its data from ordinary citizens like you and me. They organize over a thousand volunteer training workshops around the country annually, teaching volunteers how to identify frog and toad calls. It is easy to become a volunteer, and only requires about three minutes per day of work. Volunteers simply listen for a few minutes from their deck or back lawn, rate the intensity of certain frog noises on a scale of one to three, and enter their data online. As a reward for their work, all of the data is public and available to look at and analyze through a well designed web application. 

Frogs are particularly important creatures to track for a number of reasons. Their population levels have been in drastic decline in recent years; their populations falling more quickly than any birds or mammals according to the IUCN.  They are important links in the food chain. They control insect populations and are also a staple in the diet of many fish and birds. 

This data collection method is an example of citizen science, where everyday people, without having to put in a lot of work can make tangible contributions to science. Because of the citizens collective work, scientists are able to obtain infinitely more data than they could on their own. FrogWatch is a fantastic opportunity for children to get directly involved in conservation from an early age, planting the idea in their minds their surrounding environment is incredibly important and needs close attention and hard work to maintain. Besides, what child isn’t interested in frogs? 

Sources:

"Amphibian Conservation." Association of Zoos and Aquariums -. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"FrogWatch USA." Association of Zoos and Aquariums. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

"Zoo Needs Vol's to Help Track Frogs, Toads." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Preventing the Inevitable

            The current drought in California points to the tendency in society to ignore warnings about the negative effects of climate change and ecosystem alteration.  Scientists throughout history have warned humans about the ramifications of cutting down trees and emitting greenhouse gases long before the effects of such actions surface.  Yet, society’s responses to scientific advice are consistently slow and changes in behavior and policies rarely take place before it is nearly too late.

            In 1864, George Perkins Marsh forewarned America about the debilitating effects of logging in his publication of the book Man and Nature and public responses to the book proved to be dreadfully slow (Terrie, 86).  Based on his studies in the Mediterranean basin, Marsh stressed trees' ability to control run-off and concluded that persistent abuse and removal of forests could lead to changes in climate and the ruining of agricultural productivity (Terrie, 86).  Unfortunately, Marsh’s calls were not echoed until 1872 when Verplanck Colvin published the First Annual Report of the Commissioners of State Parks of the State of New York (Terrie, 92).  By this time, water levels were already lowering in New York’s economically critical rivers and canals as a result of logging and forest fires consuming large portions of the Adirondack forests. In light of these occurrences, logging in the Adirondacks was still not entirely banned until 1894, 30 years after the publication of Marsh’s book (Terrie, 102).  Despite slow responses, the forests have largely  preserved and water levels restored in the Adirondacks and as a result, delayed movements to protect the region seem negligible.  Yet, the Adirondacks along with the rest of the world still remain victims of planetary warming, heat waves, and acid rain, problems that may have been weakened by earlier responses to warnings about climate altering actions. 

            In 2004, Meehl et al. (2004), published a study predicting more frequent and longer lasting heat waves in the 21^st century and explained that such trends would be exacerbated by climate change.  Two years later, California experienced a 10-day heat wave that resulted in 650 human deaths, 16,500 cow deaths, and decreases in agriculture and dairy production (Steinhower, 2006).  Climate patterns have continued to align with the predictions of Meehl et al. (2004) as 37 states experienced record high temperatures in 2010 (National Resources Defense Council).  Lastly of course, California is now experiencing its worst drought in 120 years (Fountain, 2015).  Scientists conclude that planetary warming has surely intensified droughts and subsequent evaporation of water from soils and reservoirs (Fountain, 2015).  Unfortunately, mandates to conserve water have only been recently implemented and movements to counter and manage climate change intensified in California as late as 2013 (State Releases: Preparing California for Extreme Heat: Guidance and Recommendations).   Similar to responses to lowering water levels in New York State, responses to warnings about heat waves and drought have been quite slow.

            While human-caused climate and ecosystem alterations in the Adirondacks and in California have proven devastating and sad, it is difficult to say that such events were unpredictable or unavoidable.  In fact, the concept that humans could affect climate patterns was introduced as early as 1864 with the publication of George Marsh’s book.  Thus, what remains truly sad is society’s continuing inability to recognize the reality and relevance of warnings and predictions made by scientists regarding climate change.  Must it always take 650 deaths, decreased water levels, extreme droughts, and forest fires to raise awareness of a problem?  Sluggish responses to curb climate affecting actions may have managed to save some aspects of the Adirondacks, but in the absence of earlier, more prompt responses to climate change, the Adirondacks and the rest of the world are still suffering from the effects of other human-induced issues like acid rain and planetary warming.   Considering human’s were warned of the their ability to alter the climate 151 years ago by George Perkins Marsh, America, along with the rest of the world, should be ashamed of their inability to prevent the droughts, heat waves, and acid rain that are ravaging the American landscape today.

Sources:

Fountain, Henry. California Drought Is Worsened by Global Warming, Scientists Say.

The New York Times. April 1, 2015.  Web. Accessed April 12^th, 2015.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/science/california-drought-is-worsened-by-global-warming-scientists-say.html?mabReward=wCTM5&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine&_r=0

Meehl, G. A. & Tebaldi, C (2004).  More Intense, More Frequent, and Longer Lasting

Heat Waves in the 21st Century. Science, 305 (5686) 994-997.

Terrie, Philip G. Contested Terrain: A New History of Nature and People in the

Adirondacks. (Ed. A.W. Gilborn, Ed.). Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 1997, Print.

Junk Forests?

Contradictory to the ‘forever wild’ language associated with the mission of the Adirondack Park, present-day logging on private lands condemns unmanaged forest stands as a waste of valuable resources.  While the lumber industry in the Park operates at a quarter of its size during the logging boom 125 years ago, its efficiency and sustainably has increased exponentially (Adirondacks, 2008).  Many companies hire foresters to examine forests and identify trees for removal to promote new growth within the stand, a process called ‘selective logging’ (Adirondacks, 2008).  These companies are under a lot of pressure from conservationists inside and outside to park to keep the park ‘pretty,’ maintaining vigorous forests and water purity (Adirondacks, 2008).  With the rise of tourism and the “second-home” market, loggers and environmentalists have become unlikely allies, but their ideologies cross on issues of forest management.  The two groups both support the protection of open spaces, but loggers view these preserved landscapes with a more utilitarian eye.  The Adirondack forests represent an essential economic opportunity for locals within the park, many of whom work for or benefit from the lumber industry (Mann, 2013). 

However, change in land-ownership strategies and the rise of large timberland investment management organizations (TIMO’s) (who now own 900,000 acres within the Park) have impeded healthy development of harvested forests (Protect, 2014).  Poor forest harvesting in the past (i.e., removing valuable trees and leaving the “junk”) haunts these recovering forests—forests that, in the possession of TIMO’s, see relatively little management (Mann, 2013).  Modern day loggers call these forests “Junk forests” that are worth little to nothing on an industrial scale.  Consequently, the Adirondack Park Agency has approved a plan to provide lumber companies with more harvesting flexibility and a more efficient system of permit approval.  The most infamous liberty granted to these companies is the ability to clear-cut stretches of their lands as long as the areas are less than 25 acres in size and neighboring clear-cuts are reasonably far away from each other (Mann, 2013).  The underlying principle, that the forest will grow back under better management by foresters and becomes a more valuable stand, is questionable: How will these replacement forests be managed such that desirable species repopulate the land? Through chemical application?  Or through expensive hand-selection? 

This simultaneous alliance and battle between loggers and environmentalists strikes at the core of many such disagreements within the Adirondack Park: the argument between the pristine landscape and local livelihood.  Are forests built from scratch to better support a shrinking logging industry in the Park better than those left to recover from the past on their own terms?  Which is more valuable to humanity?

Resources:

Protect the Adirondacks!.  2014.  “Major New Forest Clearcuts between Long Lake and Blue Mountain Lake.”  URL: <http://www.protectadks.org/2014/09/major-new-forest-clearcuts-between-long-lake-and-blue-mountain-lake/>.

The Adirondacks.  2008.  Film.  Western New York Public Broadcasting Association.

Mann, Brian.  2013.  “A Million Acres of Adirondack Timberland Becoming ‘Junk’?”.  North Country Public Radio (NCPR).  URL: <http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21445/20130214/a-million-acres-of-adk-timberland-becoming-junk>.