To the editor:

Many residents in the area and visitors, too, have used the docks and moorings at the former Crescent Bay Marina as the only access to the beautiful Saranac chain of lakes. Many do not have trailers, towing vehicles or the physical stamina to launch and haul out their craft, which means that the state launch site is not the answer for all. It is only right and reasonable that Saranac Lake Marina application to the Adirondack Park Agency should receive approval as complete so it may move along to provide the area with the only on-lake, full-service marina. A viable, up-to-date marina on Lower Saranac Lake is vital to the economy of the region. Saranac Lake is not a private lake for a few. It belongs to the residents of New York state.

See below many more reasons this marina proposal should be approved (from Saranac Lake Marina talking points):

* Crescent Bay has been a commercially operated marina since 1924 and a community asset for several generations of local taxpayers.

* The marina is a vital component for recreational users, paddlers, fishermen, campers, boaters, tourists, locals and second home owners.

* The former Crescent Bay Marina fell into severe disrepair, was not self-sustaining and eventually was foreclosed upon and went bankrupt in 2012, mainly due to lost slip revenue and lacking the funds to maintain, expand and improve the marina complex.

* New ownership has a new environmentally friendly vision to assure the local marina is vital again and self-sustaining for the next several generations, renovating and expanding the marina with new green and eco-friendly building practices.

* A new, modern marina will create more jobs, foster smart growth in the hamlet, support the downtown businesses, restaurants, delis, outfitters, grocery stores, clothing stores, theater, arts, boat dealers and marine service companies.

* A new, attractive marina will be Saranac Lake downtown’s door to thousands of campers, fishermen and tourists coming to camp and play on the Saranac Lake Islands Campground, making a lasting first impression to many return customers for the community.

* SLM will assist the fight against invasive species on Lower Saranac Lake with boat washing station for the boats entering and exiting the lake through the marina. SLM is contracted with a local company AIM (Aquatic Invasive Management) to manage yearly the milfoil in the marina lake bottom areas.

* SLM will be a huge environmental improvement, replacing the old, falling-down structures.

* The new marina layout will INCREASE fish habitat along the shoreline.

* The new marina plan is the definition of SMART growth in a hamlet, creating an ecotourism asset to benefit the local community character and a greater economic benefit to area businesses and community members.

* The town of Harrietstown Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals have both approved the marina expansions as proposed. The Planning Board issued a negative declaration after months of deliberating the criteria for such under New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act and following two public hearings.

* The area in which the marinas are located is locally zoned as commercial and designated a hamlet area under the APA’s Land Use and Development Plan. Hamlet areas are described as having the following objectives in the APA law: “will serve as the service and growth centers in the Park a wide variety of housing, commercial, recreational, social and professional needs of the Park’s permanent, seasonal and transient populations will be met.”

Sincerely,

Walter and Charlann Duffy

Saranac Lake