DEC Advises Backcountry Visitors to Be Prepared for Winter Conditions in the Adirondacks

Snowshoes, Skis Strongly Recommended For All Trails

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today advised visitors to the backcountry of the Adirondacks to be prepared for snow, ice and cold, and to be sure to use the proper equipment.

"While winter is an opportune time to take advantage of all that the Adirondack Park has to offer, the season can also present troublesome -- even perilous -- conditions to the unprepared," Commissioner Grannis said. "The snow cover in the Adirondacks is more than three feet deep in the higher elevations. At this time, we require visitors to the Eastern High Peaks to use snowshoes or cross-country skis for their safety and we strongly recommend that visitors to other parts of the Adirondacks do the same."

Snowshoes or skis prevent sudden falls or "post-holing," avoids injuries, and eases travel on snow. Ice crampons should be carried for use on icy mountaintops and other exposed areas. In addition, backcountry visitors should follow these safety guidelines:

Dress properly with layers of wool and fleece (NOT COTTON!) clothing: a wool or fleece hat, gloves or mittens, wind/rain resistant outer wear, and winter boots.
Carry a day pack with the following contents: Ice axe, plenty of food and water, extra clothing, map and compass, first-aid kit, flashlight/headlamp, sun glasses, sun-block protection, ensolite pads, stove and extra fuel, and bivy sack or space blankets.
Drink plenty of water -- dehydration can lead to hypothermia.
Eat plenty of food to maintain energy levels and warmth.
Check weather before entering the woods -- if the weather is poor, postpone your trip. The mountains will always be there.
Be aware of weather conditions at all times -- if weather worsens, head out of the woods.
Contact the DEC at (518) 897-1200 to determine trail conditions in the area you plan to visit.

Adirondack Trail Information can be found on the DEC web site. The web pages provide general information and seasonal conditions, specific notices on closures and other situations involving trails, roads, foot bridges, etc., and links to rules & regulations, hiker and camper safety, low impact recreation, weather and more.

December 16, 2009

DEC Survey Shows Bat Populations down 90 Percent in Caves Impacted by "White Nose Syndrome"

Wide-ranging, Coordinated Research Effort Continuing; NY Gearing Up for Next Round of Winter Surveys

Populations of some bat species have plummeted more than 90 percent in Northeast caves impacted by "White Nose Syndrome," according to an extensive investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today.

Surveying 23 caves at the epicenter of the bat die-off in early 2009, researchers found an alarming decline - 91 percent on average -- in the number of hibernating bats. The study included 18 caves in eastern New York, four in western Massachusetts and one in Vermont.

"These steep declines are alarming and disheartening," Commissioner Grannis said. "Researchers from around the country are focusing on the bat die-off and DEC will continue to work with a wide range of partners to try to get to the heart of the problem."

The study showed that not all species have reacted the same to White Nose Syndrome (WNS). Species that prefer warmer, wetter roosting spots than other bats have been impacted most severely. For example, the Little Brown bat has declined by an average of 93 percent (Little Browns account for 85 percent of all the bats that hibernate in the Northeast).

A separate survey of the endangered Indiana bat showed it declined 53 percent on average. DEC bat specialist Alan Hicks said roost conditions may explain part but not all of the difference -- Indiana bats prefer a colder, dryer hibernating spot than others. Also, the survey of Indiana bats found stark contrasts between sites. For example, two former mines in Ulster County showed Indiana bat declines of 97 and 29 percent, respectively, with no obvious physical differences other than humidity.

DEC has been at the forefront of the bat investigation along with federal officials, wildlife agencies and researchers from around the nation, since the disease was first discovered in some New York caves in winter 2006-07. The most obvious symptom involved in the die-off is a white fungus encircling the noses of some, but not all, of the bats. Called "White Nose Syndrome," (WNS) the fungus (Geomyces destructans) is a prime suspect as a causative agent, although not yet confirmed. Impacted bats deplete their fat reserves months before they would normally emerge from hibernation, and die as a result.

To document the degree of the die-off, DEC, with the help of officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), other states, academia and volunteers, began an extensive cave survey last January. This typically involved spending hours trekking deep into caves, snapping thousands of photographs of hibernating bats, then counting the individual bats to prepare a database. These counts were then compared to previous surveys. Bats are particularly vulnerable to disease during hibernation because they congregate in large numbers in caves - in clusters of 300 per square foot in some locations.

The majority of hibernacula surveyed are found in eastern New York, especially in Schoharie and Albany counties. The 23 caves surveyed are estimated to have once harbored roughly 55,000 bats, approximately 10 percent of the regional bat population.

Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a recommendation to close access to caves that have not been impacted by WNS while the investigation continues. The recommendation covers caves in some two dozen states and is intended to reduce the potential spread of WNS while scientists work to better understand the cause and find a way to stop the mysterious disease.

At this time, DEC is gearing up to begin another round of winter surveys.

"What we've seen so far is unprecedented and we need more data to fully understand this issue," Hicks said. "Collecting data at the epicenter is not only critical for protecting animals here, but also for informing wildlife agencies across the country that are dealing with this issue."

Ongoing Research
DEC is one of the many entities participating in a research effort coordinated by the USFWS. Among the numerous projects, scientists are:

* Working on identifying compounds to stop the fungus associated with WNS.
* Looking at the cause and transmission of WNS and potential control measures.
* Studying the potential link between WNS and environmental contaminants.
* Assessing the impact of WNS on the genetic viability of Indiana bats.
* Developing a rapid WNS diagnostic test.
* Continuing population surveys.

Also, in mid-October, DEC biologists helped set up video cameras in a mine where WNS has severely impacted hibernating bats. The U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service planned and funded this project. The video surveillance will monitor for aberrant behaviors of hibernating bats, such as excessive grooming, unusually long periods of activity, or winter flight. USGS researchers are assessing whether such behaviors could be the link between skin infection by the fungus and death by starvation after premature depletion of winter fat reserves. Preliminary results are expected by late spring 2010.

More information is available at DEC's web page focusing on White Nose Syndrome.