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ADK to host birdwatching outing WESTPORT — The Adirondack Mountain Club will host a program entitled Winter Visitors: an Introduction to Birding in Winter on Feb. 15. Every winter, birds from the arctic and other regions of Canada move “down south” to the North Country to spend part of or all of the winter. During this trip to the open farmlands of the Champlain Valley and the waters of Lake Champlain itself, join the search for Horned Grebes, Golden Eyes, Buffleheads, Rough Legged Hawks, Bonaparte and Iceland Gulls, Snow Buntings, Horned Larks, Bohemian Waxwings, and many more species. Sign up and learn how and where to find winter visitors during the cold season. This program will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leave from the ADK Loj in Lake Placid at 8
a.m. or meet at the boat launch in Westport. Directions and other pertinent information will be sent out to participants. All participants must pre-register by calling 523-3441. The cost is $30 for members/$35 non-members with a maximum of 16 participants. The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation. For more information about our programs, directions or questions about membership, contact ADK North Country office in Lake Placid at 523-3441 or visit www.adk.org.
Ferry
Stewart said the one ferry operating at Crown Point carried about 1,700 cars in its first day of operation Feb. 1, including many Addison County, Vt., shoppers making their way to the Ticonderoga Wal-Mart. It takes only three minutes for the ferry to make its journey between ferry docks at Crown Point, but with so many riders relying on its service, LCT recognized a need for a second ferry there. “If the one boat by itself went offline, we would be in a pickle,” Stewart said. The Essex-Charlotte ferry has traditionally carried only 100 cars per day during the winter months. However, ridership on the ferry has seen a considerable increase since the bridge’s closing in October. Stewart admitted the ferry’s closing will be a tough change for its riders. “The folks there are hoping for an early spring,” said Stewart. “As soon as the lake is clear of ice, the Adirondack will be moved to the Essex-Charlotte crossing.” Built in 1913, the Adirondack has a riveted hull that is not suitable for operation in ice conditions. It has traditionally served the Port Kent-Burlington crossing, which has always closed from mid-October through May. Another ferry, the Gov. George D. Aiken, is currently being refitted with two new engines. Plans are for it to resume at the EssexCharlotte crossing later in the spring as well.
From page 1 the skippers are saying that this is a good time to move the boats.” Prior to the closing, two ferries were in operation at the Essex-Charlotte crossing. Both will now be reassigned to crossings that anticipate higher volumes of traffic. One ferry, the Plattsburgh, had been borrowed from the Plattsburgh-Grand Isle crossing, which normally runs three ferries year-round. With that service temporarily cut to two ferries since Jan. 14, Stewart said customers at the northernmost crossing have experienced much longer wait times. Another ferry, the Grand Isle, traditionally operates at the Essex-Charlotte crossing year-round, but will be reassigned to the temporary crossing at Crown Point, which is already getting plenty of use in its first days of service. “Relocating the vessels at this time allows us to restore the Grand Isle crossing back to its normal operating schedule, and ensures that there is duplication of service at Crown Point during heavy ice conditions,” said Stewart in a press release. Lake Champlain Transportation has five ferries that can operate in icy conditions. Canal passageways have been closed for the winter, making it unfeasible to add any new ferries to the fleet.
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VALLEY NEWS - 11
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