A proposed 257-site campground development near Chazy Lake in Dannemora, New York, sparked concerns over potential environmental impacts. The project, led by an out-of-state developer, includes recreational vehicle (RV) and tent sites and several amenities, but opposition surfaced due to worries about its effects on the lake and surrounding area.
The proposed Chazy Lake RV Park and Campground would feature 231 RV sites and 26 tent sites, all accessible from Route 374.
Scheduled to operate 24/7 from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the campground will also include a clubhouse, bathrooms, laundry facilities, a dog park, mini-golf, a playground, and communal fire pit areas. Walking trails and a section of the lake shore would be accessible to guests and the public.
According to an article published by Press Republican on August 16, Jutta Vogt and Richard Hurst, property owners from Pennsylvania, planned to develop the campground on 33 acres of their 144-acre property.
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) has jurisdiction over the project, as Chazy Lake falls within the Adirondack Park boundaries. The agency will make the final decision on whether the campground receives a permit.
Local zoning laws are still in development, leaving the APA as the regulator of the project’s environmental concerns. Dannemora Town Supervisor Deborah Coryer expressed confidence that strict guidelines will be applied.
However, the lack of local zoning laws raised concerns among community members. Mark Denicore, co-founder of the Chazy Lake Watershed Initiative, Inc., voiced worries. Denicore emphasized that while the APA will review environmental factors, other issues like traffic congestion and crime may not receive the same level of scrutiny.
“Anyone can do just about anything unless the APA steps in and tries to restrict what you’re doing on your property,” Denicore explained.
Environmental concerns are included in the opposition. The Chazy Lake Watershed Initiative has been actively working to combat the spread of invasive species, such as Eurasian Watermilfoil, which threatens the lake’s ecosystem. The proposed campground could “increase the number of visitors,” potentially could hinder his organization’s initiatives to address concerning “water quality trends.”
“The 257 sites that are being suggested … we suspect, with them, will come boats and things that may come into our lake and cause further problems and overwhelm our ability to deal with them,” he added.
Residents also submitted letters of opposition to the APA, citing concerns about a potential increase in population in the area.
