The Hon. Kathy Hochul, Governor
State of New York
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Re. Round Goby Threat to Lake Champlain
Dear Governor,
Adirondack Wild wishes to join the Adirondack and New York Nature Conservancy, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, the Essex County Board of Supervisors, and many other stakeholders in asking that the Canal Corporation issue plans to keep the Champlain Canal’s Lock 7 closed as a temporary barrier to the Round Goby.
As your agencies know, the round goby (a native to Europe, Neogobius melanostomus) out-competes native species for food and habitat by feeding at night, thriving in poor water conditions, spawning multiple times a season, and preying on native eggs and young. It has already substantially affected recreational and commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes, resulting in seasonal restrictions on certain types of fish whose populations have been reduced by goby.
The introduction of the round goby to Lake Champlain could dramatically and negatively impact the Lake’s game fish and its overall ecosystem. Given the severe threat posed by the fish’s introduction into Lake Champlain’s ecosystem, prevention via the Champlain Canal should be among the state’s highest priorities. The sooner that New York State can assure all stakeholders that the relevant lock on the Champlain Canal will remain closed and that a temporary boat lift will be in place when the Canal’s boating season opens in May, planning for a long-term solution can begin in the absence of an ongoing emergency.
Thank you for your executive leadership in asking that the NYS Canal Corporation immediately announce its plans to keep the Lock closed in May and to install a temporary boat lift while a permanent barrier to the round goby is developed.
Sincerely, and respectfully,
David Gibson, Managing Partner
Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve
P.O. Box 9247. Niskayuna. NY. 12309
Adirondackwild.org; 518.469.4081
Cc: Peg Olsen, Adirondack Nature Conservancy
Shaun Gillilland, Essex County Board of Supervisors
Basil Seggos, DEC Commissioner
Ashley Dougherty, Assistant Secretary, Executive Chamber
Willie Janeway, Adirondack Council
Peter Bauer, Protect the Adirondacks!