Natural Resource Management
Lake George Recreational Use Assessment
in cooperation with Cornell University, Lake George Park Commission (2006)
Report Links: WEB 
The purpose of this project was to collect relevant information, sample user perceptions, and develop a flexible study plan to assist the Lake George Park Commission (LGPC) in fulfilling its legislative mission to provide reasonable public access to Lake George without congestion, over-crowding, or safety hazards. This resulting water-based recreation study plan evaluates existing conditions of lake use overall and by 68 lake use zones, while compiling data and findings in a format useful as a benchmark for future assessments.
The research included detailed survey research among four main groups of lake users and a boat and beach use count effort that involved 10 research assistants. The presentation includes a number of thematic GIS maps that illustrated boat use and boater perceptions of congestion and crowding within the 68 lake zones along the 35 mile length of Lake George. Carrying capacity research and analysis was used to develop a Boat Use Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Lake George.
Tourism Business, Community and Environment in the Adirondack Park
Adirondack Park (1999)
Report Links: WEB
The views of 258 local tourism business owners are analyzed in a study regarding the role that the natural environment and outdoor recreation play in the tourism economy of the central and western Adirondack Park. Businesses near Old Forge, Cranberry Lake, Tupper Lake, North Creek, Indian Lake, Speculator and other communities are the focus of the survey. Labor issues, the preferences of motivated entrepreneurs, and use of the Internet for business development assistance are all explored. The economic potential of water-based and winter outdoor recreation activities was highlighted by the business owners.
Community Research Needs Assessment
Adirondack North Country Region (1998)
Report Links: WEB
This was a rapid assessment of Adirondack community research needs based on the perspectives of 46 organizations and individuals working for community development in the Adirondack Park. The approach was a brief mail-out survey, followed-up with a two-day workshop in Saranac Lake. Holmes & Associates brought together a number of diverse interests for the workshop, including environmental groups, local community leaders, the Adirondack Park Agency and leading community researchers from Cornell University and SUNY-Plattsburgh. A direct result of the effort was the funding of three priority projects by the WCS: two community case studies, one in Tupper Lake and one in the Star Lake/Cranberry area, and regional assessment of tourism business in the Adirondack Park.
Adirondack Forest Preserve Education Program Initiative Survey of Education and Information Providers in the Adirondack Region
Wildlife Conservation Society and the Adirondack Communities & Conservation Program (2001)
Report Links:
This survey of over 300 information providers inquires on the need for a more systematic and coordinated effort for educating the public about the Adirondack Forest Preserve and how to safely enjoy and protect it.
Draft Adirondack Forest Preserve Public Access Plan
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (2001)
Report Links:
Holmes & Associates prepared a Final Draft of the Draft Adirondack Forest Preserve Public Access Plan (1998) by merging and editing related documents into one document and ensuring that it represents the relevant characteristics and issues of the Adirondack Park. The goal was to complete a draft report for distribution at Unit Management Plan (UMP) public meetings in the Adirondack Park. The purpose of this document is to highlight the major public access issues and themes relevant to the five-year UMP process that the NYSDEC has now initiated and to set the vision for the public participation process crucial to the successful completion of those UMPs.
Chateaugay Lake Issues Survey
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the NY State Association of Lakes (1999)
Report Links:
Holmes & Associates reviewed the two drafts of the survey, one for shoreline property owners and one for other property owners in the watershed. This editing work entailed providing detailed edits and suggestions on wording, flow, layout, response categories, and the questionnaires' ability to gather the information desired. The survey work was successfully completed in 2000, with data analysis completed by the NYSDEC and the Chateaugay Lakes Association for inclusion in the Chateaugay Lake Watershed Management Planning Project report.
Upper Saranac Lake Issues Survey
Upper Saranac Lake Citizens Advisory Committee and NYSDEC (1997)
Report Links:
Holmes & Associates assisted in questionnaire development and data analysis in this survey of 700 area households. We also surveyed campers, boaters and anglers on their impressions of Upper Saranac Lake.
Oswegatchie Roundtable Socio-Economic Analysis Paper
Wildlife Conservation Society (1995)
Report Links:
In cooperation with Wendy O 'Neil, consulting ecologist, Holmes & Associates researched human use of the Oswegatchie region of the Adirondack Park. Personal interviews, telephone interviews, and secondary research were used to document hunting and fishing activities in the area, as well as to compile a database of population change, economic characteristics, and employment for the region.
Lake Champlain's Future: A Community Based Strategy for Environmental Policy Development
directed by Dr. Bryan Higgins, SUNY-Plattsburgh (1993)
Report Links:
The purpose of this project was to design, conduct, and evaluate a series of focus group workshops regarding different social interests in the New York and Vermont portions of the Lake Champlain Basin. The workshops were exceptionally participatory in their commitment to incorporating the perspectives of 12-16 groups within the Basin. In addition, the format of these workshops gave participants hands on experience with environmental decision-making, thereby facilitate their future participation.
Lake Placid Shore Owners' Association Survey
Lake Placid Shore Owners' Association, Inc. (1992)
Report Links:
This project was a comprehensive mail-out survey of the 175 members of the SOA. Although Lake Placid remains a very pristine lake, the SOA prefers to take a pro-active rather than a re-active approach to lake related issues and problems. In anticipation of their centennial celebration in 1993, this survey provided an accurate portrayal of contemporary Lake Placid camp use, recreational activities, attitudes, and opinions. Holmes & Associates designed, implemented, and analyzed the findings of the 20 page questionnaire survey.
Upper Saranac Lake, Lake Management Survey
Upper Saranac Lake Association (1991)
Report Links:
This survey of the over 600 households near Upper Saranac Lake provided baseline data on the attitudes, perceptions, and lake related activities of full-time and part-time residents. The survey results proved crucial to the USLA's efforts to take a more active role in lake management issues.
