capital region prism · 2021. 2. 1. · aisspp year-end report - capital region prism, hosted by...

AISSPP Year-End Report - Capital Region PRISM, hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County

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Capital Region PRISM

Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management

The Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Program report was prepared by:

Lauren Henderson Capital Region PRISM Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

Reviewed by: Kristopher Williams

Capital Region PRISM Coordinator

Acknowledgements

Funding for the Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Spread Prevention Program is

provided through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund by the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation, Contract C011280.

Funding is also provided for the Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM)

through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Protection Fund,

Contract No. 010340.

The Capital Region PRISM respectfully relies on the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, its host

organization, for support and staffing capacity.

A Special Thanks to: The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County (host organization),

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets,

And the New York State Invasive Species Council as well as the Invasive Species Advisory Council and Legislator.

The PRISM would also like to thank the NYS DEC Bureau of Invasive Species, the NYS DEC Invasive Species

Coordination Unit and Ecosystem Health, and the NYS Natural Heritage Program for their support and guidance.

A special thank you to Catherine McGlynn, Josh Thiel, Meg Wilkinson, John Marino and Mitchell O’Neill.


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Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................................4

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................5

About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County & the Capital Region PRISM .......................................5

The Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and the Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species .......................................................6

Program Description and Methods ............................................................................................................................6

Background .............................................................................................................................................................6

Watercraft Inspection Steward Training ............................................................................................................. 13

Watercraft Inspection Steward Methods ............................................................................................................ 13

Comprehensive Summary of Results ....................................................................................................................... 14

Comprehensive Findings ..................................................................................................................................... 15

Watercraft Types ................................................................................................................................................. 15

Boater Activity Type ............................................................................................................................................ 17

AIS Spread Prevention Awareness ...................................................................................................................... 18

Aquatic Invasive Species Intercepts .................................................................................................................... 20

AIS Intercepts – Launching Watercraft ................................................................................................................ 22

AIS Intercepts – Retrieving Watercraft ................................................................................................................ 23

Previous Waterbodies Visited ............................................................................................................................. 24

Recommendations and Conclusion ............................................................................................................................0

Launch Locations ....................................................................................................................................................0

Hiring ......................................................................................................................................................................1

Training ...................................................................................................................................................................1

Capital Region PRISM WISP Handbook ..................................................................................................................2

WISP Supervisor .....................................................................................................................................................2

Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................................................3


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Abbreviation List

AIS Aquatic Invasive Species

AISSPP Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Program

CCE Cornell Cooperative Extension

EPF Environmental Protection Fund

IFB Invitation for Bid

NYNHP New York Natural Heritage Program

NYS New York State

NYS DEC New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

PRISM Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management

PWC Personal Watercraft

Steward Watercraft Inspection Steward

SUNY ESF State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

SUP Stand-up Paddleboard

WISP Watercraft Inspection Steward Program

WISPA Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application

WB Waterbody


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Abstract The following report summarizes data and highlights for the 2020 Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys Aquatic

Invasive Species (AIS) Spread Prevention Program (AISSPP), Contract Number C011280 as administered by

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Saratoga County through the Capital Region Partnership for Regional

Invasive Species Management (PRISM). The AISSP program was made possible through the New York State

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The program is in

year two of a three-year contract with a possible fourth year extension. The goal of the AISSP program is to

prevent the introduction and slow the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Hudson and Mohawk River

Valleys through education and outreach and voluntary watercraft inspections.

The AISSPP contract allows the Capital Region PRISM to place up to 26 watercraft stewards at 29 designated

launch locations along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers from 2019 – 2021 starting the Friday before Memorial

Day and ending on Labor Day each year. The designated window of operation for the program encompasses the

entirety of New York State’s primary boating season for each year of the contract.

In 2020, the Capital Region PRISM hired 22 watercraft stewards who were placed at 28* launch locations in the

geographic area of the contract. Watercraft stewards helped prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by

delivering AIS spread prevention education and outreach awareness to boaters. Stewards delivered clean, drain,

dry programming as outlined in the “New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Handbook”

Publication ID: NYSGI-H-14-001 and recommended by the NYS DEC. Watercraft stewards surveyed boaters

launching and retrieving at sites while educating boaters about how to inspect and remove plants and organisms

from their equipment. Watercraft stewards conducted voluntary watercraft, trailer, and equipment inspections

upon completion of initial surveys with the boater. In total, the Capital Region PRISM’s watercraft stewards

educated 27,150 individuals while inspecting 15,609 watercrafts. Stewards removed 410 AIS from 363

watercraft during inspections which encompassed 2.33% of all watercraft inspected. 74.8% of individuals

surveyed utilized clean, drain, dry practices before arriving at the launch and 72.8% of boaters had previously

interacted with a watercraft steward in the past.

Based on several factors, there were noticeable differences between launch sites in terms of main type of

watercraft launching, transport rates of AIS, boater participation in inspections, and percentage of recreational

users taking spread prevention measures. This report reviews data collected from the launch locations covered

during the 2020 boating season.

27,150 – Individuals educated

15,609 - Watercraft inspections 22 - Watercraft Stewards

410 - AIS intercepted 28 – Launch locations

2.33% - Watercraft inspected carrying AIS 88% - NY registered watercraft

183 - Unique previous waterbodies 27 - States/providences as origin points

*28 launch locations were covered on a regular schedule during the 2020 season. Steward coverage was terminated at two launch locations (Lansingburgh and Kingston Point) due to safety concerns.


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Introduction

About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County & the Capital Region PRISM The Capital Region PRISM is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County. The Capital Region

PRISM is financially supported through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation through

the Environmental Protection Fund. The organization was fully funded in 2018 with a five-year contract through

2022.

The Capital Region PRISM is a not-for-profit quasi-governmental agency. The office is staffed with a full time

Terrestrial, Aquatics, and Lead Coordinator and a part time Education and Outreach Coordinator. Seasonal staff

includes interns from affiliated colleges and universities in the Capital Region. The PRISM provides services in

eleven counties in the New York State Capital Region: Albany, Columbia, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Schenectady,

and portions of Fulton, Greene, Herkimer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington.

The Capital Region Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) is one of eight PRISMs in

New York State. The Capital Region PRISM and the seven other PRISMs were created in response to the growing

problem of invasive species in NYS over the past several decades. In 2003 New York State established an Invasive

Species Task Force. In 2005 the NYS Invasive Species Task Force recommended building and funding a network

of invasive species partnerships to prevent or minimize the harm caused by invasive species to New York's

environment in its report to the Governor and legislature. To act on that recommendation, the NYS DEC

contracted the establishment of eight PRISMs across the state.

The primary goal of the Capital Region PRISM is to prevent the spread of invasive species through prevention

and education strategies, early detection and rapid response efforts, and restorative measures. The PRISM

serves as a point of contact in which collaborations are fostered, resources are distributed, and information is

shared. The PRISM also supports research projects.

In 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation solicited an Invitation for Bid on the

AISSP program for the Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys. The Capital Region PRISM, hosted by the Cornell

Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, was awarded the bid in 2019 from the NYS DEC. By deploying the

AISSP program through the CCE of Saratoga County, the goals of the Capital Region PRISM are further met.

Henry Hudson Park boat launch


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The Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and the Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species Both the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers are critically important waterbodies on a local and regional scale. The two

rivers support a multitude of native species, both aquatic and terrestrial, and provide numerous recreational

opportunities for the public. The Hudson River boasts a unique brackish ecosystem as a tidal estuary, making it

an important component for our aquatic ecosystems.

Unfortunately, over the past few decades, invasive species have plagued both waterways and have caused

numerous issues for our native species. Over 120 aquatic nonnative and invasive species have been found within

the Hudson River estuary (New York State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, NYS DEC, July 2015). The

Mohawk River has not been spared either which is invaded by numerous species found within the Hudson River

and Great Lakes due to the river’s connection with each waterbody. With the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers acting

as navigable commercial waterways for New York State, they act as a vector for the spread of invasive species to

other waterbodies (some entirely uninvaded by AIS) throughout the state. Thus, the implementation of a non-

decontamination boat steward program along these coordidors that actively engages and educates the public

regarding spread prevention measures while intercepting AIS from launching and retrieving watercraft was

imperative. By placing watercraft stewards at launch locations along both the Hudson and the Mohawk Rivers,

the chance of aquatic non-native and invasive species spread to other waterbodies can be reduced.

Program Description and Methods

Background The Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Spread Prevention Program adds great

value to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation by helping uphold Environmental Conservation

Law Article 9, Title 117. With respect to the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation, it

states that “wherever practical and where consistent with watershed and/or, regional invasive species

management plans, prohibiting and actively eliminating invasive species at project sites funded or regulated by

the state.” It also states that “No person shall launch a watercraft or floating dock unless it can be demonstrated

that reasonable precautions such as removal of any visible plant or animal matter, washing, draining or drying as

defined by the department pursuant to rules and regulations, have been taken.” Thus, NYS regulations are in

place to prevent individuals from intentionally spreading aquatic invasive species throughout New York State.

Although watercraft stewards are not able to enforce AIS spread prevention regulations, they are a liaison for

educating the public on the reason behind regulations and encouraging cooperation.

The Hudson and Mohawk River Valleys Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Spread Prevention Program exists to

provide education and outreach to the public and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The Watercraft

Inspection Steward Program provides steward coverage in 11 counties (Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene,

Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady Ulster, and Westchester). Within each county,

watercraft stewards are stationed at public boat launches to educate the public on the treats of AIS and help

prevent AIS transport from each location (if AIS is present) and prevent new AIS introductions. Watercraft

stewards provide voluntary, non-decontamination, inspections for watercraft recreationist at each launch. One

of the goals of the inspections is to train the public on how to prevent the spread of AIS. This is achieved through


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encouraging participation in the inspection process which ultimately encourages a behavioral change that

motivates individuals to practice Clean, Drain, Dry standards on their own.

Watercraft stewards work on a full-time, seasonal basis from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend until Labor

Day week. Stewards typically work Thursday-Monday from 7:00 am-3:30 pm, totally 640 hours for the season

per contract requirements. Some watercraft stewards are assigned to one location for the entirety of the

season, while others are assigned to two to three launches that are rotated through throughout the season.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County through the Capital Region PRISM is responsible for

administers the 3-year contract (C011280) from 2019 to 2021, with a possible contract extension into 2022. The

program began on March 1, 2019 and is anticipated to run until December 31, 2021. The main deliverables of

the contract include recruiting and fully training qualified watercraft stewards, deploying the WISP from the

Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, delivering DEC AIS spread prevention products and

consistent messaging, and collecting data through the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application.

This is not the first Watercraft Inspection Steward Program implemented within New York State. Multiple

agencies such as the Adirondack Watershed Institute, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and

Historic Preservation, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, the Finger

Lakes PRISM, and many others, have been running watercraft inspection steward programs for years with the

same goals of education and prevention of AIS spread. Methods currently followed for the delivery of clean,

drain, dry protocol are based on prior practices within these agencies. Through years of running similar

programs, there agencies have laid the ground work for newer watercraft inspections steward programs like the

Capital Regions PRISM’s program.

Under the AISSPP contact, each season 26 watercraft stewards

should be hired to cover 24 launch locations. Contractual locations

were modified for the 2020 season by the DEC and the Capital Region

PRISM to better facilitate programmatic deliverables at higher use

sites based on data collected from 2019. In 2020 after alterations to

total launch locations, the Capital Region PRISM hired 22 stewards

and provided coverage at 28 launch locations along the Hudson and

Mohawk Rivers. Along with the adjustments made pre-season,

impacts of the pandemic on local municipalities and public

participation caused some launch locations to not be active in 2020.

Steward coverage ranged at each active location based on how busy

each location was and the amount of coverage allotted to each

launch location. Stewards were stationed full-time at 11 locations

that were considered to be high traffic launch sites. The remaining

stewards split their time between more than one launch locations

due to lower traffic volume.

Lead Watercraft Steward, Samantha, inspecting a kayak after a European Frog-bit removal


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Due to Covid-19, many launch locations did not open at the start of the boating season as they would have in a

normal year. Dates of coverage are provided in Table 1-3 to provide context for lower than average days

covered. Another unexpected result of Covid-19 was the delayed opening of the Canal System along the

Mohawk River. Due to the delayed opening, stewards hired for launch locations along the Mohawk were placed

at alternate launch locations for periods of time or job responsibilities were adjusted until the re-opening of the

Canal System.

In Table 1-3, the “Number of Stewards” column indicates the number of stewards assigned to provide coverage

at each launch. A launch reported to have 1 or more stewards was assigned full-time coverage, a launch

reported to have 0.5 stewards was assigned half-time coverage, and a launch reported to have 0.33 stewards

was assigned coverage a third of the week. Not all locations received exact assigned coverage due to different

factors requiring changes in schedules and location accessibility.

Table 1-3 also provides weekly steward coverage information for each launch location, dates of coverage, total

days coverage was provided and total inspections completed at each launch. Round Lake completed the most

inspections (3,682), requiring coverage from two stewards to ensure as many watercraft were inspected as

possible. Following Round Lake, Chodikee Lake completed the second highest number of inspections (1,573)

followed by Echo Bay (1,233). Figures 2-5 provide a visual snapshot of the launch locations and total inspections

completed at each site.

Figure 1: Total Watercraft Inspections by Launch Location, 2020

34043718

11781573

103411

10461233

22

963

217166

1035

52251 68

447115 14

376646

1

635

3682

29 15632669

Tota

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spe

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Launch Locations

Total Watercraft Inspections by Launch Location


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Table 1: Covered launch locations along the Hudson River and days covered at each, 2020.

Launch Locations Dates of Coverage

Days Covered

Steward Coverage

Number of Stewards

Total Inspections

% of Program Total Inspections

Athens Boat Launch, Greene

County 5/22/20-9/6/20 35 2-3 days/week .5 340 2.18%

Charles Rider Park Boat Launch, Ulster County

5/22/20-9/27/20 81 5 days/week 1 1178 7.55%

Corning Preserve Boat Launch,

Albany County 5/22/20-9/7/20 35 2-3 days/week .5 411 2.63%

Coeyman’s Landing Boat

Launch, Albany County

6/5/20-9/7/20 34.5 2-3 days/week .5 103 0.66%

Dutchman’s Landing Boat

Launch, Greene County

5/22/20-9/27/20 77 5 days/week 1 1046 6.70%

Echo Bay Boat Launch,

Westchester County

5/22/20-9/7/20 75 5 days/week 2 1233 7.90%

Germantown Boat Launch, Columbia

County 5/9/20-8/21/20 29 2 days/week .33 217 1.39%

Henry Hudson Park Boat Launch,

Albany County 5/22/20-9/6/20 66 5 days/week 1 1035 6.63%

Henry Hudson Riverfront Park

Boat Launch, Columbia County

7/20/20-8/24/20 6 1 day/week .33 52 0.33%

Highland Landing Park Boat Launch,

Ulster County 6/11/20-9/6/20 40 2-5 days/week 1 251 1.61%

Hilton Park Boat Launch,

Rensselaer County 6/4/20-8/17/20 24.5 2-3 days/week .5 68 0.44%

Hudson River Public Boat

Launch, Columbia County

5/22/20-8/23/20 28 2-3 days/week .33 447 2.86%

Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch,

Rensselaer County 5/22/20-8/6/20 28.5 2-3 days/week .33* 115 0.74%

Kingston Point Boat Launch, Ulster County

6/4/20 .5 N/A N/A 0 0%

Lansingburgh Boat Launch,

Rensselaer County 6/14/20-6/29/20 6.5 N/A .33* 14 0.09%

Mills-Norrie SP Boat Launch,

Dutchess County 5/30/20-9/7/20 61 5 days/week 1 646 4.14%

Ossining Boat Launch,

5/22/20-8/31/20 12 0-3 days/week .5 1 0.01%


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Days Covered

Steward Coverage

Number of Stewards

Total Inspections

% of Program Total Inspections

Westchester County

Senasqua Boat Launch,

Westchester County

5/24/20-9/7/20 60 1-5 days/week .5 69 0.44%

Waterford Point Boat Launch,

Saratoga County 7/2/20-8/1/20 19.5 5 days/week 1 437 2.80%

*One steward was assigned to provide split coverage at Ingalls Avenue, Lansingburgh, and Alcathys boat launch, spending a third of the season at each location. Due to safety concerns, Lansingburgh boat launch coverage was terminated and coverage was spilt between Ingalls Avenue and Alcathys boat launch for the remainder of the season.

Table 2: Covered launch locations along the Mohawk River and days covered at each, 2020.


Days Covered

Steward Coverage

Number of stewards

Total Inspections % of Program

Total Inspections

Alcathys Boat Launch, Saratoga

County 7/3/20-8/7/20 14 2-3 days/week .33* 376 2.41%

Canajoharie Boat Launch,

Montgomery County

5/22/20-6/1/20 7/16/20-9/6/20

33 5 days/week 1 29 0.19%

Frankfort Harbor Boat Launch,

Herkimer County 5/22/20-9/6/20 26 1-2 days/week .5 22 0.14%

Freeman’s Bridge Boat Launch, Schenectady

County

5/22/20-9/6/20 63 5 days/week 1.5 963 6.17%

Ilion Marina Boat Launch, Herkimer

County 8/8/20-9/7/20 6 0-1 days/week .5 18 0.12%

Kiwanis Park Boat Launch,

Schenectady County

5/22/20-8/20/20 33 3-5 days/week .5 635 4.07%

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site

Boat Launch, Montgomery

County

5/22/20-9/5/20 69 5 days/week 1 326 2.09%

Round Lake boat launch


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Table 3: Covered launch locations at lakes/rivers across the region and days covered at each, 2020.


Days Covered

Steward Coverage

Number of stewards

Total Inspections % of Program

Total Inspections

Chodikee Lake Boat Launch, Ulster County

5/22/20-9/27/20 65 2-5 days/week 1 1573 10.08%

Great Sacandaga Lake (Broadalbin)

Boat Launch, Fulton County

6/4/20-7/13/20 30 5 days/week 1 166 1.06%

Round Lake Boat Launch, Saratoga

County 5/22/20-9/7/20 71.5 5 days/week 2 3682 23.59%

Schoharie Creek (at Esperance) Boat Launch,

Schoharie County

6/15/20-7/3/20 7 3-5 days/week 1 156 1.00%

Figure 2: Mohawk River – Capital Region Launch Locations, 2020

*Waterford Point launch is not visible on map. Waterford Point launch is located across the river from the Lansingburgh launch.


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Figure 3: Upper Hudson Launch Locations, 2020

*Hudson River Public launch is located in the same location as the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park launch.

Figure 4: Mid-Hudson Launch Locations, 2020 Figure 5: Lower Hudson Launch Locations, 2020


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Watercraft Inspection Steward Training Watercraft stewards participated in a three-day training program in order to familiarize themselves with the

responsibilities of the job. The program included training on protocol for data collection in the Watercraft

Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA), inspection methods utilized throughout New York State, AIS

identification and phenology of plant species, spread prevention measures, strategies for providing education to

the general public, and important safety measures. Training on iMapInvasives was also provided to encourage

stewards to record invasives found outside of regular inspections. Training was standardized based on the

protocol outlined in the “New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Handbook” Publication ID:

NYSGI-H-14-001 as recommended by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Due to the constraints of Covid-19, the Capital Region PRISM hosted the watercraft inspection steward training

virtually through Zoom on May 18-19, 2020. A third day of in-person, socially distanced training took place on

May 20, 2020 at Canajoharie, Coeyman’s Landing, and Chodikee Lake boat launches. Along with the initial three-

day training, stewards were trained on the job during site visits from Lead Stewards and Supervisors.

Training instructors from the Capital Region PRISM included PRISM Coordinator, Kristopher Williams, Aquatic

Invasive Species Coordinator, Lauren Henderson, and Education and Outreach Coordinator, Lauren Mercier.

John Marino and Mitchell O’Neill from the New York Natural Heritage Program provided training on the

Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA).

The Capital Region PRISM stewards also participated in a HR orientation and training for the Cornell Cooperative

Extension of Saratoga County. This HR orientation and training covered standard materials required under

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s policies as well Covid-19 guidelines and requirement surrounding social

distancing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Watercraft Inspection Steward Methods Watercraft stewards educated individuals while inspecting watercraft at 28 launch locations. Watercraft

stewards covered launch locations from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. from Thursday – Monday each week. Some

stewards elected to cover locations from as early as 5:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in order to reach out to different

audiences such as fishermen who are often out fishing in the early hours of the morning and during fishing

tournaments.

Stewards were instructed during training to gather metrics through the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program

Application (WISPA), a survey application that allows multiple data metrics to be collected easily on a tablet.

These metrics included type and number of watercraft, primary activity performed, group size, state of boat

registration, date and time of arrival, whether the group was launching or retrieving, and what body of water

the watercraft had been in within the last 2 weeks. The survey also collected metrics on what spread prevention

measures the boater took, if the boater had interacted with a watercraft steward in the past, and record of any

plant or animal species found during an inspection. A social component was included that encouraged stewards

to ask boaters, “Can we count on you to clean, drain, and dry the watercraft even when there is no boat steward

present?” This was asked as part of a behavioral change campaign that is currently taking place across the state

in order to gather information on whether boaters will, without the guidance of a watercraft steward at a launch

location, take measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.


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Watercraft stewards were also provided equipment

for their launch locations. Each steward was given a

folding table, canopy chair, sandwich board sign

stating “Steward on Duty,” 8-inch tablet with an

Android operating system, first aid kit, plastic bin,

binder of steward materials, Tupperware for

displaying samples, brochures, and multiple handout

items provided by the Department of Environmental

Conservation. Stewards were instructed to set up

their workstations in highly visible locations, out of

the path of traffic, in order to increase public

awareness of steward presence and reduce safety

concerns. All stewards wore highly visible blue shirts

noting that they worked for the Capital Region PRISM

as well as a bright blue safety vest provided by the

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

During launching and retrieving inspections, stewards asked boaters if they could remove visible organic

material from the watercraft and asked boaters to drain all water from their watercraft. Removal of plant and/or

animal material and draining all water greatly reduces the chances of AIS being introduced into un-infested

waterbodies throughout NYS while also teaching boaters where to look for plant and/or animal materials.

Inspections involved checking all areas of a watercraft that could be harboring AIS. These areas include but are

not limited to the hull, trailer, engine, anchors, lines, gear, and drainage areas. Watercraft stewards were not

permitted to board any watercraft to inspect gear or compartments, instead they encouraged the boater to

inspect these areas themselves.

Stewards were encouraged to use two new applications, the WISPA Angler survey and WISPA Walk-Up survey,

to collect metrics on interactions with the general public that were visiting a launch location for purposes other

than watercraft operation. During these interactions, stewards provided education and outreach to patrons of

the launch locations about aquatic invasive species.

Beginning on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, the Capital Region PRISM had partial coverage for 16 weeks

from May 22nd to September 7th along the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, then reduced coverage at three locations

for 3 weeks following Labor Day Weekend until September 27th. Given that many watercraft inspection stewards

were college students, coverage reduction began in the beginning of August.

Comprehensive Summary of Results While the Capital Region PRISM has utilized boat stewards in the past to gather spread metrics of aquatic

invasive species, 2020 was only the second year the organization has administered a full-scale watercraft

inspection steward program across both the Hudson and Mohawk River regions. In 2019, the Capital Region

PRISM employed 18 full-time watercraft stewards that covered 23 launch locations along the Hudson and

Mohawk River regions. In 2018, the Capital Region PRISM housed two SUNY ESF interns who gathered spread

metrics of aquatic invasive species at 5 launch sites throughout the Capital Region.

Watercraft steward, Winston, at Charles Rider Park boat launch.


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Each subsequent year has showed growth in the program and offers a host of new information for both the

Capital Region PRISM and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regarding spread prevention

measures used by patrons as well as potential new introductions of AIS to the Hudson River, Mohawk River, and

local waterbodies.

Comprehensive Findings Contractually, the WISP program is designed to run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

In 2020, the field season for the Capital Region PRISM stewards ran for 16 weeks (19 weeks at three launch

locations) from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (May 22th – September 7th). The three

launch locations that had extended weekend steward coverage until September 27th received prolonged

coverage to collect metrics regarding patron use of high traffic launch locations beyond the standard boating

season. In total, the program performed 15,609 inspections and educated 27,150 individuals regarding spread

prevention measures (i.e. clean, drain, dry) for aquatic invasive species. Various factors played into how many

patrons visited each site during the season including location, weather, operation status of the launch.

Watercraft Types As noted in Table 4, during the 2020 boating season, stewards observed every boat type. Kayaks were the most

commonly observed watercraft with 46.9% of the total, with motorboats following at 36.2%. Round Lake

observed the highest number of kayaks while Dutchman’s Landing observed the highest number of motorboats.

In total, across all launch locations, 17,343 boats were observed (not all were necessarily inspected) along the

Hudson River, Mohawk River, and local waterbodies.

Figure 6: Watercraft Types Observed, 2020

6279

1364

8137

714 487 71 226 45 4 16

Tota

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erc

raft

Ob

serv

ed

Watercraft Type

Watercraft Types Observed


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Table 4: Comprehensive data summary of boat types at each launch location, 2020.

Launch Location Boat Type Total #

watercraft Kayak Canoe SUP Wind PWC Sail Row Barge Motor Dock

Athens 50 2 4 0 47 0 0 0 245 0 348

Waterford Point 434 23 6 0 3 0 3 0 12 0 481

Ilion Marina 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 18

Charles Rider Park

54 1 2 8 393 15 0 1 840 0 1314

Chodikee Lake 1196 157 17 20 32 1 84 0 65 6 1578

Coeyman’s Landing

39 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 58 0 107

Corning Preserve 86 4 6 0 53 1 15 0 251 0 416

Dutchman’s Landing

426 36 2 0 163 2 0 0 1034 0 1663

Echo Bay 1472 101 204 0 0 0 8 0 8 1 1794

Frankfort Harbor 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 23

Freeman’s Bridge 313 24 1 5 94 0 1 0 519 8 965

Germantown 70 3 0 0 25 0 1 0 118 0 217

Great Sacandaga Lake - Broadalbin

4 1 1 2 20 2 0 0 140 0 170

Henry Hudson Park

230 28 0 0 126 3 0 0 723 0 1110


49 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 52

Highland Landing Park

22 6 0 0 65 7 1 0 154 0 255

Hilton Park 27 4 0 0 17 0 2 0 18 0 68

Hudson River Public

46 0 0 0 49 1 7 0 347 1 451

Ingalls Avenue 10 1 0 0 14 0 0 3 120 0 148

Kingston Point Park

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Lansingburgh 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 9 0 14

Alcathys 37 4 0 0 94 0 1 0 271 0 407

Mills-Norrie State Park

260 30 5 0 33 2 0 0 331 0 661

Ossining 7 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 5 0 29

Kiwanis Park 465 33 1 0 19 1 6 0 114 0 639

Round Lake 2313 236 228 4 61 27 89 0 755 0 3713

Canajoharie 11 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 14 0 30

Schoharie Creek (Esperance)

148 6 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 156


220 6 2 0 8 0 0 0 94 0 330

Senasqua 134 2 8 6 14 9 4 0 8 0 185

Grand Total 8137 714 487 45 1364 71 226 4 6279 16 17343

% of all watercraft

46.9% 4.1% 2.8% 0.3% 7.9% 0.4% 1.3% 0.0% 36.2% 0.1% 100.0%

*PWC = personal watercraft (jet ski); SUP = stand-up paddleboard; Wind = windsurfer.


17 | P a g e

Boater Activity Type While completing a WISPA survey, stewards

observe and record the primary activity the

boaters are performing at the launch they

are located at. Below, Table 6 provides a

breakdown of boater’s primary activity at

each launch location. At all launch locations

covered across the Hudson and Mohawk

River regions, the most common reason for

use of all launches was recreation with 83%

of the total.

Figure 7: Boater Activity Type, 2020

Table 6: Comprehensive summary of the main activity of watercraft operators, 2020.

Launch Location Primary Activity Performed Grand

Total Commercial Fishing Government Recreation Research

Athens 2 54 0 271 0 327

Waterford Point 0 21 0 302 0 323

Ilion Marina 0 5 0 11 0 16

Charles Rider Park 32 139 8 1104 2 1285

Chodikee Lake 1 290 2 643 4 940

Coeyman’s Landing 6 4 0 79 0 89

Corning Preserve 1 126 2 255 2 386

Dutchman’s Landing 38 158 10 1166 6 1378

Echo Bay 1 34 2 1104 1 1142

Frankfort Harbor 0 2 2 13 0 17

Freeman’s Bridge 9 41 5 794 0 849

Germantown 0 6 0 189 0 195

Great Sacandaga Lake - Broadalbin 0 60 0 110 0 170

Henry Hudson Park 4 191 7 813 2 1017

Henry Hudson Riverfront Park 0 0 0 34 0 34

Highland Landing Park 0 3 0 245 0 248

Hilton Park 0 8 0 49 0 57

Hudson River Public 0 38 3 372 0 413

Ingalls Avenue 11 58 1 72 0 142

Kingston Point Park 0 0 0 1 0 1

Lansingburgh 0 3 2 5 3 13

Alcathys 0 135 1 223 0 359

Commercial0.8%

Fishing15.5%

Government0.4%

Recreation83.0%

Research0.2%

Boater Activity Type

Commercial

Fishing

Government

Recreation

Research


18 | P a g e

Mills-Norrie State Park 0 40 11 487 7 545

Ossining 0 3 0 22 0 25

Kiwanis Park 0 129 1 289 0 419

Round Lake 1 463 0 2072 0 2536

Canajoharie 0 6 0 20 2 28

Schoharie Creek (Esperance) 0 15 0 64 0 79

Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site 7 38 0 166 0 211

Senasqua 0 9 0 124 0 133

Grand Total 113 2079 57 11099 29 13377

% of all watercraft observed 0.8% 15.5% 0.4% 83.0% 0.2% 100.0%

AIS Spread Prevention Awareness Table 5 outlines the level of boater awareness regarding spread prevention measures. While watercraft

stewards are completing the WISPA survey, boaters were asked if there took any spread prevention measures

prior to arriving at the launch. Of all groups asked this question, 74.8% of boaters indicated they do take steps to

prevent the spread of AIS.

Of those who said yes, 69.4% stated they wash their watercraft, 58.2% stated they dry their watercraft, 28.2%

stated they inspect their watercraft, 19% stated they drain any standing water our of their watercraft, 15.4%

stated they use their watercraft in the same waterbody every time, 12.8% stated it was the watercrafts first

launch of the year, 3.1% stated they drain their livewell, 1% stated they properly dispose of bait, and 0.9% stated

they utilized a decontamination station before arriving at the launch. The small percentage of boaters using

decontamination stations is most likely attributed to the lack of decontaminations stations in the Capital Region

and Hudson River Valley.

Of the 13,377 surveys completed, 1,312 groups were not asked the above question for a variety of reason

including but not limited to lack of time due to heavy traffic at the launch, repeat visitor or “regulars,” non-

compliance on behalf of the boater, etc.

Table 5: Comprehensive summary of boat operators’ awareness of AIS and spread prevention, 2020.

Launch Locations

Groups showing AIS spread prevention awareness # groups asked

Not Asked Yes % yes Inspect Wash Dry Drain

Live well

Bait Decon Same WB

1st Launch

Athens 274 84.83% 33 151 147 6 3 1 0 35 8 323 4

Waterford Point

207 70.89% 4 188 132 45 0 0 1 23 56 292 31

Ilion Marina 6 40.00% 3 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 4 15 1

Charles Rider Park

778 70.60% 282 575 300 272 46 3 7 226 60 1102 183

Chodikee Lake

612 67.33% 35 517 290 7 0 0 0 135 59 909 31

Coeyman’s Landing

66 75.86% 9 50 27 0 0 0 0 9 7 87 2

Corning Preserve

130 33.85% 12 51 88 23 3 0 13 172 78 384 2


702 69.23% 7 503 646 452 68 9 6 221 105 1014 364


19 | P a g e

Launch Locations

Groups showing AIS spread prevention awareness # groups

asked Not

Asked Yes % yes Inspect Wash Dry Drain Live well

Bait Decon Same WB

1st Launch

Echo Bay 729 88.58% 231 521 672 0 0 0 2 45 36 823 319

Frankfort Harbor

12 75.00% 1 9 3 1 3 0 1 1 3 16 1

Freeman’s Bridge

798 94.10% 422 757 781 101 20 5 0 19 23 848 1

Germantown 195 100.00

% 165 83 19 14 5 0 1 0 0 195 0

Great Sacandaga

Lake – Broadalbin

113 67.26% 110 14 76 28 10 14 8 1 1 168 2

Henry Hudson Park

724 73.73% 192 498 359 451 27 9 7 97 95 982 35

Henry Hudson

Riverfront Park

33 97.06% 33 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 34 0


205 84.71% 47 182 153 6 20 0 0 29 6 242 6

Hilton Park 15 26.32% 4 12 9 2 0 0 0 28 14 57 0

Hudson River Public

402 97.57% 329 145 30 32 12 0 0 6 2 412 1

Ingalls Avenue

55 55.56% 18 29 35 27 16 11 1 14 17 99 43

Kingston Point Park

1 100.00

% 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Lansingburgh 6 46.15% 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 2 13 0

Alcatys 249 84.69% 36 216 93 57 14 14 1 13 23 294 65

Mills Norrie State Park

469 87.83% 0 416 71 3 0 0 1 8 23 534 11

Ossining 8 34.78% 8 6 8 0 0 0 0 7 6 23 2

Kiwanis Park 335 80.53% 0 157 332 30 0 5 0 29 53 416 3

Round Lake 1547 66.11% 442 955 801 132 16 4 27 249 451 2340 196

Canajoharie 17 60.71% 7 9 14 4 0 1 0 0 1 28 0

Schoharie Creek

(Esperance) 59 74.68% 0 30 58 6 0 0 0 6 0 79 0

Schoharie Crossing

State Historic Site

165 79.71% 13 158 22 12 13 16 2 2 13 207 4

Senasqua 107 83.59% 94 24 84 3 0 1 2 8 5 128 5

Grand Total 9019 74.75% 2541 6262 5252 1718 277 93 80 1389 1151 12065 1312


20 | P a g e

Aquatic Invasive Species Intercepts Table 7 provides a summary of the species

identified and intercepted on watercraft at

launch locations covered in 2020. A large

percentage of the species observed by

watercraft stewards this year were non-

invasive or native. The most common

invasive species found on watercraft was

Eurasian watermilfoil (180), followed by

water chestnut (130), zebra mussel (49),

curly leaf pondweed (29), brittle naiad

(21), variable leaf watermilfoil (1). Charles

Rider Park followed by Round Lake had the

highest number of AIS intercepts. 2.33% of

all watercraft inspected had aquatic

invasive species visibly observed on them.

In total, 410 AIS were intercepted by

watercraft stewards.

Table 7: Comprehensive summary of observation/identification of plant and animal materials on watercraft,

2020.

Launch Locations

Non AIS

Organism Type Total AIS

% of inspected boats with

AIS

SWF/ FWF

AC QM ZM BE RC H FB VLM EWM BN SS CLP WC

Athens 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2 8 2.35%

Waterford Point

49 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Ilion Marina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 5.56%

Charles Rider Park

199 0 0 0 27 0 0 0 0 0 31 4 0 0 60 122 10.36%

Chodikee Lake 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 3 22 1.34%

Coeyman’s Landing

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.97%

Corning Preserve

1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 5 1.22%


55 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 6 21 2.01%

Echo Bay 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Frankfort Harbor

4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 3 13.64%

Freeman’s Bridge

8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0.21%

Germantown 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 6 2.76%

Great Sacandaga

Lake - Broadalbin

16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 3 1.81%

Henry Hudson Park

55 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0.39%

49

1

180

21 29

130

Tota

l In

terc

ep

ts

Aquatic Invasive Species

AIS Intercepted

Figure 8: AIS Intercepted, 2020


21 | P a g e

Launch Locations

Non AIS

Organism Type Total AIS

% of inspected boats with

AIS

SWF/ FWF

AC QM ZM BE RC H FB VLM EWM BN SS CLP WC

Henry Hudson Riverfront

Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%


0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Hilton Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Hudson River Public

0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 9 2.01%

Ingalls Avenue 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1.74%

Kingston Point Park

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Lansingburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Alcathys 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 11 13 3.46%

Mills-Norrie State Park

23 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 17 13 0 1 33 70 11.30%

Ossining 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Kiwanis Park 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 2 6 0.94%

Round Lake 46 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 91 0 0 14 1 107 2.91%

Canajoharie 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 10.34%

Schoharie Creek

(Esperance) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%


16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Senasqua 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00%

Grand Total 530 0 0 0 49 0 0 0 0 1 180 21 0 29 130 410 --

*SWF/FWF – Spiny waterflea/Fishhook waterflea; AC – Asian clam; QM – Quagga mussel; ZM – Zebra mussel; BE – Brazilian elodea; RC – Rusty crayfish; H –

Hydrilla; FB – European frogbit; VLM – Variable leaf milfoil; EWM – Eurasian watermilfoil; BN – Brittle naiad; SS – Starry stonewort; CLP – Curly-leaf

pondweed; WC – Water chestnut

Zebra mussel encrusted anchor given to a steward from a boater at Mills-Norrie State Park boat launch. The anchor was used as an

educational talking point during the season.


22 | P a g e

AIS Intercepts – Launching Watercraft Table 8 provides total AIS intercepted on watercraft before launching at each launch location. Of all AIS

intercepted during the 2020 season, only 16% were found during launching inspections. This low percentage

could be attributed to increased public awareness of clean, drain, dry standards and regulations.

Table 8: Comprehensive summary of AIS intercepted on launching watercraft, 2020.

Launch Location Organism Type Total # AIS

intercepted ZM VLM EWM BN CLP WC

Athens 2 0 0 0 0 0 2

Waterford Point 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ilion Marina 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Charles Rider Park 5 0 10 0 0 17 32

Chodikee Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Coeyman’s Landing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Corning Preserve 2 0 1 0 0 0 3

Dutchman’s Landing 1 0 1 0 0 0 2

Echo Bay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Frankfort Harbor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Freeman’s Bridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Germantown 0 0 0 0 0 1 1


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Henry Hudson Park 0 0 0 0 0 2 2


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Highland Landing Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hilton Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hudson River Public 1 0 1 0 0 2 4

Ingalls Avenue 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Kingston Point Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lansingburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Alcathys 0 0 1 0 0 1 2

Mills-Norrie State Park 2 0 1 0 0 0 3

Ossining 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kiwanis Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Round Lake 0 0 9 0 3 1 13

Canajoharie 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Senasqua 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grand Total 13 0 25 0 4 24 66


23 | P a g e

AIS Intercepts – Retrieving Watercraft Table 9 provides total AIS intercepted on watercraft upon retrieval at each launch location. Of all AIS intercepted

during the 2020 season, 84% were found during retrieving inspections. A dramatically higher percentage in AIS

intercepted on retrieving boats is due to both the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers being considered source points

for many aquatic invasive species across New York State.

Table 9: Comprehensive summary of AIS intercepted on retrieving watercraft, 2020.

Launch Location Organism Type Total # AIS

intercepted ZM VLM EWM BN CLP WC

Athens 0 0 1 3* 0 2 6

Waterford Point 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ilion Marina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Charles Rider Park 22 0 21 4 0 43 90

Chodikee Lake 0 0 9* 0 9 3 21

Coeyman’s Landing 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Corning Preserve 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

Dutchman’s Landing 2 0 11 0 0 6 19

Echo Bay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Frankfort Harbor 0 0 2 0 1 0 3

Freeman’s Bridge 0 0 1 0 1 0 2

Germantown 1 0 1 0 0 3 5


0 0 2 1 0 0 3

Henry Hudson Park 1 0 0 0 0 1 2


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Highland Landing Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hilton Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hudson River Public 1 0 3 0 0 1 5

Ingalls Avenue 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Kingston Point Park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lansingburgh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Alcathys 0 0 0 0 1 10 11

Mills-Norrie State Park 7 0 16 13 1 33 70

Ossining 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kiwanis Park 0 0 4 0 0 2 6

Round Lake 1* 0 82 0 11 0 94

Canajoharie 1 1* 0 0 1 0 3


0 0 0 0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Senasqua 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grand Total 36 1 155 21 25 106 344


24 | P a g e

*indicates AIS observed upon retrieval that are not currently recorded as present species at the specific launch location or in close proximity

up/downstream. More research will be completed in 2021 to determine if new infestations are present.

*1 report of Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on a retrieving boat from Round Lake. Steward noted the Zebra mussels appeared to be dry and

deceased. The retrieving boat was last in a lake with a known infestation of Zebra mussels.

Previous Waterbodies Visited Table 11 provides information regarding boaters’ responses when asked what waterbody their boat was in

within the past two weeks. In total, 183 unique waterbodies were visited prior to arriving at the different launch

locations.

Table 11: Comprehensive summary of waterbodies visited within the past two weeks by boaters, 2020.

Previous Waterbody

# of boats from previous waterbody

Saratoga Lake (Saratoga County) 156

Lake George (Essex/Warren/Washington Counties)

76

Great Sacandaga Lake (Fulton/Saratoga Counties)

73

Mohawk River 50

Other (CT, FL, MA, ME, NH, NJ, PA, VT, New Brunswick)

47

Hudson River (Unknown County) 46

Ballston Lake (Saratoga County) 45

Lake Champlain (Unknown County) 26

Round Lake (Saratoga County) 24

Hudson River (Ulster County) 23

Walkill River (Ulster County) 18

Long Island Sound 17

Atlantic Ocean 16

Schroon Lake (Essex/Warren Counties) 15

Grafton Lakes State Park (Rensselaer County)

14

Hudson River (Dutchess County) 14

Thompsons Lake (Albany County) 14

Kayaderosseras Creek (Saratoga County) 13

Rondout Creek 13

Sacandaga Lake – Moffitt Beach (Hamilton County)

11

Lake Lonely (Saratoga County) 10

Black Creek (Ulster County) 9

Candlewood Lake (Brookfield, CT) 9

Dunham Reservoir (Rensselaer County) 9

Fish Creek Ponds (Franklin County) 9

North-South Lake (Greene County) 9

White Pond (Putnam County) 9

Adirondacks (unspecified) 8

Previous Waterbody


Esopus Creek (Ulster County) 8

Hudson River (Albany County) 8

Round Lake (Essex County) 7

Sacandaga River 7

Wappinger Creek (Dutchess County) 7

Hudson River (Columbia County) 6

Lake Taghkanic (Columbia County) 6

Moreau Lake (Saratoga County) 6

New Croton Reservoir (Westchester County)

6

Saranac Chain of Lakes (Essex/Franklin Counties)

6

Burden Lake (Rensselaer County) 5

Loon Lake (Warren County) 5

Canadarago Lake (Otsego County) 4

Caroga Lake (Fulton County) 4

Connecticut River (CT) 4

Glen Lake (Warren County) 4

Hudson River (Orange County) 4

Mariaville Lake (Schenectady County) 4

Stewarts Bridge Reservoir (Saratoga County)

4

Swinging Bridge Reservoir (Sullivan County)

4

Twin Lakes Salisbury (CT) 4

Canada Lake (Fulton County) 3

Catskill Creek (Greene County) 3

Delta Reservoir/Delta Lake (Oneida County)

3

Fourth Lake (Hamilton County) 3

Green Lake (Greene County) 3

Hudson River (Rockland County) 3

Hudson River (Westchester County) 3


25 | P a g e

Previous Waterbody


Lake Luzerne (Warren County) 3

Lake Ontario (Unknown County) 3

Lake Superior (Sullivan County) 3

Lake Wallenpaupack (Wayne County, PA) 3

Old Forge Pond (HamiltonCounty) 3

Oneida Lake (Madison/Oneida/Onondaga/Oswego Counties)

3

Otsego Lake (Otsego County) 3

Queechy Lake (Columbia County) 3

Raquette Lake (Hamilton County) 3

Rensselaer Lake/Six Mile Waterworks (Albany County)

3

Rio Reservoir (Orange/Sullivan Counties) 3

Sylvan Lake (Dutchess County) 3

Tillson Lake (Ulster County) 3

Tupper Lake (Franklin County) 3

Basha Kill Marsh (Orange County) 2

Blenheim Gilboa Reservoir (Schoharie County)

2

Brant Lake (Warren County) 2

Cascade Lake (Essex County) 2

Charles River (MA) 2

Collins Lake (Schenectady County) 2

Croton River (Westchester County) 2

Eighteen Mile Creek (Niagara County) 2

Forked Lake (Hamilton County) 2

Genessee River 2

Glass Lake (Rensselaer County) 2

Good Luck Lake (Hamilton County) 2

Hoosic River 2

Kayuta Lake (Oneida County) 2

Kinderhook Lake (Columbia County) 2

Lake Lillinonah (Brookfield, CT) 2

Lake Mahopac (Putnam County) 2

Lake Pleasant (Hamilton County) 2

Lawson Lake (Albany County) 2

Long Lake (Hamilton County) 2

Louisa Pond (Ulster County) 2

Mohegan Lake (Hamilton County) 2

Onteora Lake (Ulster County) 2

Rockland Lake (Rockland County) 2

Previous Waterbody


Rondout Reservoir (Sullivan/UlsterCounties)

2

Schoharie Creek 2

Schroon River 2

Snyders Lake (Rensselaer County) 2

St. Lawrence River 2

Stockbridge Bowl (Stockbridge, MA) 2

Thirteenth Lake (Warren County) 2

Alcove Reservoir (Albany County) 1

Ashokan Reservoir (Ulster County) 1

Bantam River (Litchfield County, CT) 1

Bantam Lake Morris (CT) 1

Barnum Pond (Franklin County) 1

Basic Creek Reservoir (AlbanyCounty) 1

Beaver Lake (Herkimer/Lewis Counties) 1

Big Pond (Delaware County) 1

Binnewater Lakes (Ulster County) 1

Black Lake (Sullivan County) 1

Blue Mountain Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Bradley Brook Reservoir (Madison County)

1

Buck Pond (Franklin County) 1

Canajoharie Falls (Montgomery County) 1

Canandaigua Lake (Ontario/Yates Counties)

1

Cassadaga Lakes (Chatauqua County) 1

Cayuga Lake (Cayuga/Seneca/Tompkins Counties)

1

Chapel Pond (Essex County) 1

Chenango Lake (Chenango County) 1

Chodikee Lake (Ulster County) 1

Copake Lake (Columbia County) 1

Cossayuna Lake (Washington County) 1

Cranberry Lake (St. Lawrence County) 1

Cuba Lake (Allegany/Cattaraugus Counties)

1

Damariscotta Lake (Lincoln County, ME) 1

Deer Pond (Franklin County) 1

Diamond Lake (Orange County) 1

Dryden Lake (Tompkins County) 1

Dyken Pond (Rensselaer County) 1

East Branch Reservoir (Putnam County) 1

Emerald Lake (Bennington County, VT) 1


26 | P a g e

Previous Waterbody


Erie Canal (Unknown County) 1

Finger Lakes (unspecified lake) 1

Five Falls Reservoir (St. Lawrence County)

1

Francis Lake (Lewis County) 1

Goodnow Flowage (Essex County) 1

Greenwood Lake (Orange County) 1

Harris Lake (Essex County) 1

High Falls Pond (Lewis County) 1

Highland Lake (Winchester, CT) 1

Housatonic River (MA) 1

Hudson River (Albany County) 1

Hudson River (New York County) 1

Hudson River (Putnam County) 1

Hudson River (Rensselaer County) 1

Hudson River (Saratoga County) 1

Indian Pond (Albany County) 1

Indian Lake (Dutchess County) 1

Indian Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Jabe Pond (Warren County) 1

Kunjamuk River 1

Lake Alice (Orleans County) 1

Lake Durant (Hamilton County) 1

Lake Ontario (Oswego County) 1

Lake Placid (Essex County) 1

Lake Waccabuc (Westchester County) 1

Little Beaver Kill (Ulster County) 1

Long Pond (Lewis County) 1

Long Pond (Rensselaer County) 1

Lower Saranac Lake (Franklin County) 1

Maranacook Lake (Kennebec County, ME)

1

McRorie Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Middle Saranac Lake (Franklin County) 1

Mill Pond (Schuyler/Steuben Counties) 1

Miner Lake (Clinton County) 1

Mohansic Lake (Westchester County) 1

Mohawk River (Saratoga County) 1

Monroe Ponds (Orange County) 1

Moosehead Lake (Northwest Piscataquis, ME)

1

Previous Waterbody


Moose Pond (Hamilton County) 1

Myosotis Lake (Albany County) 1

Mystic River (Middlesex County, MA) 1

Norwood Lake (St. Lawrence County| 1

Oatka Creek 1

Ohio River (PA) 1

Oneida River 1

Paradox Lake (Essex County) 1

Pine Lake (Fulton County) 1

Promised Land Lake (PA) 1

Putnam Pond (Essex County) 1

Raquette River 1

Raritan River (NJ) 1

Richmond Pond (Richmond, MA) 1

Rupert River (QC) 1

Sadawga Pond (Windham County, VT) 1

Saratoga River 1

Saugatuck River (Fairfield County, CT) 1

Second Lake (Ulster County) 1

Seneca Lake (Ontario/Schuyler/Seneca/Yates Counties)

1

Seventh Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Silver Lake (Clinton County) 1

Silver Lake (Dutchess County) 1

Sixth Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Stissing Pond (Dutchess County) 1

St. Lawrence River (Jefferson County) 1

St. Lawrence River (St. Lawrence County) 1

SummitLake|WashingtonCounty|77309 1

Tarrytown Reservoir|Westchester County

1

Tripp Pond (Warren County) 1

Trout Lake (Warren County) 1

Tully Lake (Cortland/Onondaga Counties) 1

Upper Saranac Lake (Franklin County) 1

Upton Lake (Dutchess County) 1

Wampus Pond (Westchester County) 1

West Canada Lakes (Hamilton County) 1

West Lake (Hamilton County) 1

Whitehall Reservoir (Hopkinton, MA) 1

Recommendations and Conclusion Though 2020 threw many challenges our way, there were several noteworthy successes for the Hudson and

Mohawk River Valleys Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Spread Prevention Program. In the programs second year

there was growth in almost all areas, most noteworthy was the increase of individuals educated and the total

number of inspections.

The 2020 season deployed more watercraft stewards at more locations than the 2019 season allowing for more

educational opportunities and inspections. From 2019 to 2020 there was a 51% increase in individuals educated

about AIS and a 46% increase in watercraft inspections. In 2020 there was a 16% increase in total AIS found, but

the total AIS found compared to total watercraft inspected remained low at 2.63% (a 0.29% increase from 2019).

Watercraft stewards collected data that shows 74.8% of boaters take steps to prevent the spread of AIS before

each use. Although this metric is down 2.4% from 2019, this provides proof that WISP has a positive impact on

the public’s understanding of the threats of AIS and the need to slow the spread. We expect to see similar

positively trending metrics and growth in the years to come.

Along with the many success of the program in 2020, there are several recommendations that can be

implemented to strengthen the program in coming seasons. These recommendations include adjustments to

steward coverage at launch locations, hiring, training and supplemental resources for stewards. A

comprehensive list of recommended improvements to the AISSP program in future seasons is listed below.

In addition, collaboration will continue with other statewide Watercraft Inspection Steward Programs and state

agencies to enhance the overall execution of contract deliverables. A greater effort will be dedicated to

communicating with Environmental Conservation Officers to support stewards with safety concerns.

Launch Locations Continued flexibility in coverage is recommended for launch location with high/low traffic and to ensure the

safety of all watercraft stewards.

• Hilton Park – a total of 68 inspections were completed at the Hilton Park boat launch. Reports from the

Lead Steward manning this location stated that many of those inspections were of repeat or regular

visitors. With 24.5 days of coverage at this location, that would mean the watercraft stewards saw an

average of under 3 boats a day. It is recommended that the allotted steward coverage for this location is

assigned to a different location.

• Lansingburgh – a total of 14 inspections were complete at the Lansingburgh boat launch over the 6.5

days of coverage provided. Coverage did not continue at this location due to safety concerns and

minimal boater traffic. It is recommended that steward coverage is not resumed and the allotted

steward coverage for this location is assigned to a different location.

• Ossining – a total of 1 inspection was complete at the Ossining boat launch over 12 days of coverage.

Due to tide schedules the Ossining boat launch is not an easy location to schedule steward coverage.

The tide schedule limits the times boats can launch at this location, creating periods of the stewards

scheduled shift that there is no potential for inspections. This location is paired with Senasqua boat

launch and a schedule was created that allowed the steward to provide coverage at Ossining boat

launch when the tide schedule matched best with the stewards scheduled shifts. It is recommended that

a detailed schedule is created for this location in conjunction with Senasqua boat launch, possibly

allowing the assigned steward to work at both locations within the same day.

• Senasqua – Recommendations above in conjunction with Ossining boat launch.


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• Chodikee Lake – a total of 1,573 inspections were completed at the Chodikee Lake boat launch. This

location was allotted half-time coverage for the 2020 season. It is recommended that this location

receives full-time coverage moving forward as it was the second highest performing location in 2020.

• Echo Bay – a total of 1,233 inspections were completed at Echo Bay boat launch with two stewards

present full-time. Reports from other stewards working solo at locations with similar total inspections

indicated that two stewards are not needed for this volume of traffic. To broaden coverage, one of the

stewards from this location could have their efforts allocated at another location.

• Freeman’s Bridge – a total of 959 inspections were completed at Freeman’s Bridge boat launch. In 2020,

two full-time stewards were allocated to this location. For a majority of the season, one steward was

present with an additional steward present on the weekends. After a review of the total inspections, the

second steward wasn’t necessary for the volume of boat traffic at this location. It is recommended that

only one full-time steward is allocated to this location.

• Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site – due to the delayed opening of the Canal System there was a

lower than expected total number of inspections completed at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic

Site. It is recommended that this site is monitored in 2021 before determining if one or two full-time

stewards are required.

• Mills Norrie State Park - a total of 646 inspections were completed at Mill-Norrie State Park boat launch.

In 2020 this location was allocated half-time steward coverage split with Kingston Point boat launch. A

total of 646 inspections puts this location in the top 10 performing launches. It is recommended that this

location is allocated one full-time steward in coming seasons.

Hiring An adjustment to the position description allowing individuals 18 years or older without a degree in Natural

Resources to apply provided more flexibility in prospective candidates. Candidates were required to have

experience, knowledge, coursework or an interest in a career in a natural resource or education field to qualify

for the position. Due to a transition in staffing and the COVID-19 pandemic during the most essential time to

complete interviews and distribute offers, hiring was a somewhat difficult process in 2020. Similar to last season,

recruiting for rural launch locations was a challenge. New recruitment methods were developed and will

continue to be developed in coming seasons to increase recruitment in these areas.

Along with recruitment challenges, completing the entire hiring and onboarding process virtually created

additional challenges. All interviews, offers, paperwork, and onboarding needed to be completed virtually. This

consumed much more time than in an average year.

Even with the challenges of hiring in 2020, the Capital Region PRISM was still able to have 20 fully hired staff

attend virtual training before the season began. Two additional staff members were hired during the season to

bring the staff total for the season to 22 watercraft stewards.

In 2021, the PRISM will continue to develop new recruitment methods and continue to adjust to the new virtual

process of hiring and onboarding. Additional instruction will be provided in the field to offset any deficiencies

with remote preseason onboarding and training.

Training • Watercraft Inspection Steward Program Application (WISPA) – Upon review of the data collected by all

watercraft steward, it was observed that more detailed training should be provided on WISPA. No major


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data flaws were discovered as all steward had a good base understanding of the survey. Small details

were easily overlooked such as stewards manually entering “No – pressure washed boat” when a boater

is asked if they take steps to prevent the spread of AIS. Proper data input for this should be marked “Yes

– washed boat” from the pre-set responses. Further explanation of questions and response will help

alleviate the need for data clean-up, create more consistency in responses, and allow for easier data

analysis.

• Plant Identification – More emphasis is needed on the AIS plant identification portion of training. Due to

training being mainly virtual, the hands-on aspect of AIS plant identification was lacking. In future

season, an emphasis should be put on incorporating more training on AIS plant identification whether

training is in-person or virtual. Better resource guides and samples will be used to enhance identification

training as well. A plant identification recap lead by Lead Steward or the WISP Supervisor will take place

shortly after the beginning of the season to provide enhanced training. A recap will help supervisors

determine who may be struggling and may need more assistance with this subject.

• Native Plant Identification – Native plant identification was not covered during training and is highly

recommended for future seasons. Stewards were only trained to identify AIS but were left unaware of

many native plants they encountered on the job. Native plant identification is imperative to help assist

stewards in understand the difference between look-a-like species and for educating the public on the

differences between AIS and native plants.

Capital Region PRISM WISP Handbook The development of a Capital Region PRISM specific WISP Handbook is recommended. This handbook should

cover policies, dress code requirements, launch and table set-up requirements, reporting protocol, emergency

contact information, and frequently asked questions.

WISP Supervisor The addition of a supervisor for the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program is recommended for future seasons.

Under the supervisions of the Capital Region PRISM’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, the WISP Supervisor

will be responsible for daily interactions with all watercraft stewards, completing weekly site visits, ensuring PPE

and supplies are delivered and available for all staff, and a number of administrative tasks. The supervisor

should also be responsible for quality control of the data collected in WISPA with a strong focus on confirming

plant identifications. The addition of a WISP Supervisor with increased responsibility in comparison to a Lead

Steward will ensure full attention is given to the Watercraft Inspection Steward Program during all operating

days throughout the season.


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Conclusion In conclusion, the Capital Region PRISM successfully completed it’s second full-scale WISP season despite the

challenges thrown its was in 2020. Without the strength, enthusiasm, support and perseverance of the

watercraft stewards, this program would not be what it is today. Watercraft stewards are the first line of

defense against the spread of aquatic invasive species. The Capital Region PRISM is proud to have had 22

outstanding staff in 2020 that helped continue to spread the message of clean, drain, dry.

The Capital Region PRISM strongly support the AISSP program’s purpose of protecting our aquatic environments

from future infestations. Along with protecting our aquatic environments, the Capital Region PRISM supports

the programs capacity to help maintain the viability of local and regional economies and recreational activities

that benefit New York residents and tourists.

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