Join the Association The Fulton Chain of Lakes Association is dedicated to providing information about water quality and boating safety on the lakes. Your support empowers us to continue our efforts in preserving the natural beauty of the lakes and ensuring a safe boating environment for everyone. Join us in making a difference today. Consider an annual membership and /or donation. The FCLA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization so your donations are tax free. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: $10.00 Basic $25.00 Family $35.00 Sponsor $50.00 Friend of the Lakes $100.00 Patron Ways to Support Donate Mail Fulton Chain of Lakes Association P O Box 564 Old Forge, NY 13420 Membership Form Online Donation First name Last name Spouse Mailing Address Email Choose a Membership Level Concerns? Enter the amount you wish to pay: $ Donate Notice we added 3% to your transaction for the credit card processing fee to ensure the FCLA realizes your full donation. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Boating and Navigating the Fulton Chain of Lakes The beauty of the Fulton Chain of Lakes is special and unique, and there is no better way to enjoy our lakes then from their waters. Eight lakes, all accessible by public launches makes the “Numbers Chain” a wonderful water sports playground. Whether you are paddling in the waters in a kayak, canoe or stand up paddle, the lakes are beckoning to be explored, enjoying the flora and fauna along the shorelines as well as the still of the morning or evening quiet times. If your pleasure is motoring the lakes on your personal watercraft, pontoon boat or powerboat the lakes are yours to delight in three seasons long. Fishermen are out from the crack of dawn until the sunset hoping to catch a trophy trout, large or small mouth bass, Atlantic salmon, yellow perch, tiger muskie or northern pike. Finally, any windy day finds sailboats in full sails silhouetted on the waters.Our goal is to have all boaters enjoy the beauty of the Fulton Chain’s waters while keeping them clean and safe for everyone’s pleasure. This means: know and obey NYS navigation and community laws, be courteous of fellow boaters whether power, sail or paddle, beware of swimmers, do not litter or deface waters or shorelines, and always boat responsibly . Below are some of NYS boating navigations laws that are particularly important to our lakes. For a complete Guide on New York State Boating Be aware that as of January 1,2025. all operators, regardless of age, will be required to have a safety certificate to legally operate a motorized vessel. The certificate must be carried. Boating Safety Courses Approved courses include those offered by NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Boating/US Sailing or America's Boating Club. Find a boating safety course at the link below. Click here for more info Age and Education Requirements ALL Operators must have a boating safety certificate and be at least 10 years old. The certificate must be carried. Click here for more info Alcohol and Drugs There are severe consequences for boating under the influence of drugs or while intoxicated. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. Click here for more info Be courteous to others Observe all New York State boating laws. Be courteous of others. Drive at a safe speed. Avoid playing loud music. Observe shoreline regulations. Respect property owners and do not create a disturbance near shore. Boating While Intoxicated Our lakes are a place into enjoy family and friends socially and responsibly. Boating while intoxicate is neither. NYS law says no one may operate a vessel on the waters of NYS while impaired or intoxicated either through the consumption of alcohol or drugs. An operator with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher is considered legally intoxicated. New York law prescribes heavy fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of operator privileges for violators. In New York, if you are stopped for the suspicion of impaired operation and refuse to voluntarily submit to a breath test, your privilege to operate may be immediately suspended, pending a hearing. Click here for more info Buoys There are many buoys on the lakes. They indicate channels, dangers and speed limits. Click here for more info Fishing Fisherman should avoid fishing in or near channels. Boaters should avoid boats that are fishing so that lines aren’t damaged. Click here for more info Life Jackets (PFDs) All boats operating in New York waters must have a wearable Personal Floatation Device (PFD) on board for each passenger. Throwable floatation devices are required on all boats greater than 16 feet except canoes and kayaks. There are also requirements when it is mandatory for both children and adults to wears PFDs. Click here for more info Noise Boaters should be considerate of other people around the lake. New York State has established noise levels for recreational boats. Boats must be less than 75 decibel Click here for more info Personal Watercraft All operators must have a boating certificate and be at least 14 years old. The certificate must be carried. Click here for more info Right of Way There are boating rules for how to avoid other boats on the water, just like there are rules of the road on highways. Click here for more info Safety Equipment There are safety equipment requirements that vary by size and type of boat. Click here for more info Speed Limits 45 MPH maximum daytime, 25 MPH maximum nighttime 5 MPH maximum:• In channels• Within 200 feet of shore from Old Forge Pond through 5th Lake• Within 100 feet of shore 6th-8th Lake The lakes are our lifeblood, and it's our responsibility to protect them for future generations. We Need Your Support Today! Donate

Meet the Team President - Mark Steigerwald Vice President - Ray Letterman Secretary/Treasurer - Phyllis Sanzone Board Members Martha DuMont Butch Hartsig Don Kelly Ray Letterman Tom McCabe Steve Mulvihill Phil Sanzone Phyllis Sanzone Gary Schafran Michael Schreppel Connie Schreppel Mark Steigerwald Tom Vawter Paul Willsey Historian - Phil Sanzone Website - Martha DuMont Directors Emeritus Janet Blakeman Jack DeBevoise Richard Knight Jim Murphy Jodelle Pross Amy Sauer Ron Smith Ed Stafford Heather Stafford Honorary Directors - Thomas Greco, Supervisor of Town of Webb John Frey - Supervisor of Town of Inlet 6th & 7th Lake Improvement Asso. - Terence Whyte Committees Thomas B McCabe Sr. Environmental Studies Scholarship Don Kelly - Chair Danelle Keifer Tom Vawter Publicity/Marketing Paul Wilsey - Chair Martha DuMont Butch Hartsig Nominations/Awards Tom McCabe - Chair Don Kelly Phil Sanzone Annual Meeting Ray Letterman Phyllis Sanzone Mark Steigerwald Water Quality Ray Letterman - Co-Chair Gary Schafran - Co-Chair Don Kelly Connie Schreppel Mike Schreppel Tom Vawter By - Laws Phil Sanzone Boating Martha DuMont Navigation Butch Hartsig - Chair Steve Mulvihill Tom McCabe Paul Willsey Government Liaison Tom McCabe - Chair Martha DuMont Don Kelly Kevin Jost

President's Update As another season arrives on the Fulton Chain, I’m reminded of just how much this community accomplishes when we work together. Whether you’re here year-round or eagerly anticipating summer on the water, our chain of lakes continues to inspire everyone who visits or calls this region home. On behalf of the Board of Directors, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to the annual newsletter of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association. Because of your membership dues, volunteer hours, and generous donations, 2025 was a productive year. Our water-quality sampling efforts continued with vigilant volunteers collecting data at multiple consistent sites throughout the chain and combining this data with decades of record keeping. These records form the foundation of our advocacy, allowing the Association to track long-term changes and speak confidently on behalf of the lakes when policy or development proposals arise. Our Lake Stewardship continued to encourage and support the Adirondack Watershed Institute in their role to defend against aquatic invasive species, inspecting thousands of boats at launches on the Chain. The vigilance of their stewards continues to make a measurable difference. Each clean boat protects the lakes and waters downstream. Community participation remains one of our greatest strengths. Through the efforts of the Maintain The Chain volunteer event, local residents, seasonal visitors, and businesses came together for shoreline cleanups, educational events, and workshops on sustainable boating and septic and watershed maintenance. It’s always encouraging to see families and newcomers join long-time members in these efforts. The more people experience the lakes’ fragility firsthand, the stronger our collective stewardship becomes. As we look ahead, the FCLA Board will continue to strengthen our partnerships with neighboring lake associations and institutes such as the Adirondack Watershed Institute. Collaboration remains our most powerful tool for safeguarding the entire watershed. There is still much to do: Stormwater management, invasive species monitoring and response, and the advocacy for education and patrolling for safe respectful boating practices; but the shared dedication of this community gives me confidence that the Fulton Chain will remain one of the finest examples of Adirondack beauty throughout the Park. As we continue to face challenges, to meet them, we need voices, many of them. Robust membership makes for a stronger advocacy voice. When we speak as a united community, decisionmakers listen. Each new member amplifies our ability to secure grants, influence environmental policy, and protect water quality and the ability for all of us to safely enjoy and respect this Fulton Chain of Lakes. Your continued involvement is essential to that vision, so please, if you haven’t already, renew your 2026 membership today, and invite a friend, or neighbor to join. Encourage newcomers to get involved, attend meetings, or simply help keep conversations about lake preservation alive among friends and neighbors. Every action counts. Together, our combined energy can shape the future of the lakes for generations. On behalf of the Board and our volunteers, thank you for your continuing support and stewardship. May this season bring you clear waters, and the simple joy that comes from being part of something bigger than ourselves—Our Mission To Preserve and Protect the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Mark Steigerwald - President

Terms of Use Welcome to the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association website. This section outlines the terms of use for our website. Here, you will find information about how the website may be used, the type of content we publish, and any additional features such as making donations or contacting us with concerns. We believe in transparency, which is why we have provided a detailed policy to build trust with our visitors. Our straightforward language aims to gain your trust and ensure that you keep coming back to our site! Support Our Cause Donate Now

what about the Septic System The Town of Webb and Inlet routinely inspect septic systems. At some point you may have a knock on your door asking to perform a dye test. The dye is flushed down your toilet then the area around your home (and/or waterfront) is examined for the appearance of the dye water. This testing doesn't take but a few minutes in your home. For the sake of your family and neighborhood, please cooperate to keep our environment clean and safe. Maintain your System 1. Regularly inspect your system and pump your tank as necessary. 2. Don't dispose of household hazardous water in sinks or toilets. 3. Care for your drainfield. Do you know where it is? Plant only grass or low groundcover on it. Don't drive over it. 4. Use water efficiently. When to call a Professional Pooling water or muddy soil around the tank or drainfield or in your basement. Bad smell coming from any aspect of your system. Toilet or sink backs up into your house.

Mission The Fulton Chain of Lakes Association was founded in 1968 (over fifty years ago) with a mission to protect the waters of the Fulton Chain of Lakes in New York's Central Adirondacks. On this website you will find helpful information about our organization and how you can help us preserve and protect the unique environment of the Lakes and the surrounding woodlands, streams and wetlands. We are actively involved in numerous issues such as boater safety, water quality and invasive species. Click here for our membership application - we hope you will join us in supporting our mission! The Association Today The organization has been and continues to be instrumental in water safety issues on the lake including watercraft speed limits and noise levels. The FCLA prints and distributes a navigation map and water safety brochure for the benefit of all residents and visitors in the area. The Association has assisted the local Sheriff departments in purchasing decibel level meters, GPS, radar for their patrol boats and other support and safely equipment. The FCLA has given and continues to provide monetary assistance to local students who study and participate in environmental pursuits. The organization has received many awards from local, state, and national sources. They include a Congressional nomination for the “President’s Volunteer Action Award”, a Commendation from the Environmental Protection Agency and the “Adirondack Centennial Stewardship Award” from New York State . The Association partners with other lake associates and now is a leading member of the Adirondack Lake Alliance which works as a resource to strengthen and assist other Adirondack lake and river associations. All this could not and cannot exist without the countless hours of work and dedicated by our all- volunteer Board of Directors. And it is certainly not without the generous support of the membership that the organization continues to accomplish its goal to preserve and protect the unique environment of our lake and the watershed basin. Help us continue protecting The Fulton Chain of Lakes by becoming a member! To become a member and/or make a donation, please go to our membership page. .