The DEC REGION 5 FOREST RANGER JULY AND AUGUST ACTIVITY REPORT just arrived, and while I would normally make semi-jest about some incidents contained, two incidents this Summer make me step-back and appreciate every moment. Here are the highlights, full release after the jump:
Tags: accident·dec·essex county·franklin county·hamilton county·high peak·hike·paddle
The latest DEC Forest Ranger Activity Report just arrived, and there’s a distinct pattern to the incidents. Here are some highlights, full release after the jump:
Tags: accident·dec·essex county·high peaks·hike·warren county·washington county
I normally don’t link to most accident or crime items, but the recent spate of snowmobile incidents in the Adirondacks and vicinity are notable.
Lewis County woman hospitalized following snowmobile crash
Police investigating fatal snowmobile accident
“The faster he could go, the better,” said Waller, adding that Gullis had recently spoken about adding nitrous oxide to his snowmobile to make it go faster. “He couldn’t wait to get out there.”
Morrisonville man killed in Waverly snowmobile crash
Man in critical following snowmobile crash
3 die when snowmobiles go through ice on Vt. lake
Luke noted over the weekend an advertisement he found in a local weekly. It featured a snowmobiler “Gunning it, flying through the air”. Obvious questions about promotional imagery and safety. (Not-so-obvious question about advertising rationale.)
Portrayals of cyclists are frequently criticized if they are shown lacking head protection. Heck, we ban cigarette and liquor ads altogether. When does the harm caused by an activity outweigh its economic benefit? Unfortunately, these days that point is only reached when the economic cost exceeds the benefit.
I’m sort of happy to say that we moderated our video to make it less “snowmobile-aggressive” and to include a variety of other Winter activities. Hope this is the last we hear of accidents this season.
Tags: accident·advertising·snowmobile
I’m sure all my attentive “followers” noted this item:
So, a guy I know (hard not to know everyone around here) was coming back from Bingo at Akwesasne last Sunday night. Apparently it is a regular thing for he and his wife – huh, I would have never guessed. Anyway, they were heading South on Route 374 and at the hilly, windy section missed hitting a moose by inches. Being the kind of guy that he is, he immediately turned around to warn off any approaching motorists. Too late, the next car hit the moose head-on at speed. I heard it was a kid driving with Grandma.
View Bull Moose vs. Car in a larger map
I inquired about this and got the following confirmation from NYS DEC:
The moose was hit at approximately 1:28am, west of Sunset Rd between Merrill and Lyon Mountain. The 900 lb bull moose was killed by the impact. The car received extensive damage and the driver had minor injuries – complaints of head pains – but was not transported to the hospital. This has been the first moose-vehicle colision in the area this year, and the last accident was almost a year ago.
On a side note, I almost got creamed several times yesterday on my bike by BAD DRIVERS. Best to slow down and take things easy.
Tags: accident·clinton county·moose·wildlife
Motorists should be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year – a peak of moose activity – the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) cautioned today.
Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering to look for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy sightings of a moose, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway. Read the rest of this entry »
Wow, I had no idea that this was going on every year. I guess it’s just not part of my milieu. Check out the recent enforcement report for this year’s LAKE GEORGE LOG BAY DAY that happened on July 28, 2008, the emphasis is mine:
NYSDEC Environmental Conservation Officer Lt. Tom Caifa, assigned to the Lake George Park (LGPC) Commission Marine Patrol, reports that there were 26 law enforcement officers on 15 vessels patrolling the Log Bay Day event. The vessels included four DEC Environmental Conservation Police personal watercraft.
Breakdown of Law Enforcement Personnel on the water
- 10 LGPC Marine Patrol – 8 officers & 2 sergeants
- 10 DEC Environmental Conservation Officers, 6 officers, 2 Lieutenants, and 2 Investigators
- 4 Warren County Sheriff Deputies
- 2 NY State Troopers
It is estimated that approximately 1200 people on 300 to 400 vessels participated in the event.
A total of 23 violations including 2 for reckless operations and 5 for boating while intoxicated, the remainder dealt with navigation law. The patrols also rendered first aid to 6 people, investigated 2 boating accidents, assisted 4 disabled vessels, dealt with 6 fights and participated in one rescue involving a near drowning.
NYSDEC Forest Ranger Lt. John Solan reports that 16 DEC forest rangers, including two Forest Ranger Lieutenants patrolled the state lands along the entire Shelving Rock shoreline, focusing on a 5 acre strip along Log Bay. DEC forest rangers also assisted Washington County Sheriff Deputies with a motor vehicle checkpoint at the intersection of Sly Pond and Shelving Rock Roads.
It is estimated that 275 cars, carrying approximately 1000 people, entered the Shelving Rock area throughout the day.
Forest rangers issued 30 tickets for various offenses including underage possession of alcohol, unlawful possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and fighting on state land. Forest rangers made two arrests for driving while intoxicated.
Forest Rangers and local emergency response teams also rescued two individuals that were injured when they fell from the Shelving Rock Falls. Dorleen Weslang, 20, of Lake George and a 16 year old male from Lake George were both carried to the top of the falls and then transported by ATVs to ambulances on the Shelving Rock Road. Both were determined to have been drinking at the time of their fall.
Washington County Sheriffs Deputies issued 38 traffic tickets at the road check. Deputies also made 2 arrests for unlawful possession of marijuana and 4 arrests for driving while intoxicated.
Washington County Emergency Services, West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Department, Fort Ann Emergency Medical Services, Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, and Bay Ridge Emergency Medical Services participated in efforts in the Shelving Rock area.
Now, I’m all for having a good time, but this seems a little excessive. Is there economic impact surrounding this event? Is everyone over 21? Only 5 violations related to boating while intoxicated? What’s the cost of providing all the law enforcement and fire/rescue coverage?
To bad they didn’t film a Cops episode.
There’s only one kind of moose that I like.
DEC Warns Motorists to be Alert for Moose in the Adirondacks
Motorists should be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas at this time of year – a peak of moose activity – warns the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). I hit a deer a few years ago and totaled my car – can’t imagine a moose.
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