Paradox Lake Association

Paradox Lake Association Top Priorities – 2026-2030
11-10-2025

The PLA Board of Directors held a retreat and follow-up meetings in the 2nd half of 2025 to assess the potential threats facing Paradox Lake and the PLA’s ability to deliver on its mission. We solicited input from regional experts and considered a broad array of potential threats. After extensive discussions, we settled on 6 main areas for the PLA to focus on over the next five years and these are outlined below.

• Continue efforts to control Eurasian Watermilfoil, and prevent introductions of new aquatic invasives

  • Objective – Build off past experiences to improve the PLA efforts to reduce the pace of spread from the existing EWM populations and prevent the introduction of new invasive species

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Conduct a lookback at past PLA efforts to identify particularly effective (or ineffective) practices

    • Conduct broad best practices search, not limited to Adirondack lakes

    • Identify the other aquatic invasives species that pose the greatest threat to Paradox Lake (proximity, ease of transport, ability to thrive in the Paradox Lake environment, etc) (leverage APIPP resources)  and identify best methods to prevent their introduction to the lake

    • Develop the 2026 tactical plan

• Develop an understanding of the likely future Hemlock Wolly Adelgid(HWA) and Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) infestations and act to mitigate the impact on the Paradox Lake lakefront and watershed, to the extent possible

  • Objective – This is a medium-term threat to the lake and the watershed, but is highly likely to occur at some point. The PLA will work as advocates to ensure Paradox Lake is considered in future public efforts and will ensure that the private and public landowners around the lake and in the watershed are educated on the likely impacts of these invasive species and potential mitigation strategies and approaches

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Engage with the Lake George Hemlock Coalition

    • Develop a Paradox Lake centric communication package

    • Develop some educational materials on what to look out for

    • Plan an education event for PLA members in summer 2026

• Reduce the threat to Paradox Lake posed by failing septic systems

  • Objective – Define the risks Paradox Lake faces and advocate for policies that address the modernization of old and failing septic systems

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Understand what testing methods exist that can accurately identify deficient septic systems.

    • Develop an educational/awareness campaign to share with membership in 2026

• Improve the PLA membership processes and improve its effectiveness

  • Objective – Develop a robust membership process which encompasses a wide spectrum of focus areas, from the annual process for residents and others who love PL/ to become PLA members to ensuring the PLA is meeting the needs/wants of the membership

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Poll membership to understand what they want from the PLA

    • Evaluate the current annual process, explore best practices, and make modifications to the process

    • Conduct focus groups with potential ‘next generation’ members who have not yet been inclined to join the PLA

• Develop a pipeline of future leaders

  • Objective – Develop a sustainable process to develop and maintain a pipeline of future leaders for officer positions, directors, and leaders of specific initiatives

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Understand what we have done in the past and why it hasn’t worked

    • Benchmark other similar organizations to identify processes others find to be successful

• Expand and improve the PLA communications to members and stakeholders

  • Objective – Develop and maintain a robust portfolio of communication tools/methods to meet the needs of our membership, the local community, and other stakeholders

  • 6 month deliverables:

    • Develop a communications plan for the PLA

    • Identify someone who will drive a periodic newsletter and agree the path forward