June 15, 2026

Eagle Lake Property Owners,

As we kick off another season on beautiful Eagle Lake, I’m happy to look back on what has truly been a remarkable year for ELPOI. What makes this year stand out isn’t just the accomplishments themselves, it’s the steady, meaningful progress we’ve now sustained for two years in a row. 

Our community is protecting the lake, strengthening our organization, and building momentum. Over the past year, ELPOI earned some well deserved recognition for its leadership and stewardship. We received an award from the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, board members, and lake residents. Our milfoil management efforts also reached a statewide audience when Susan Clark was invited to present at the NYSFOLA conference about the Eagle Lake AIS program. And in a real compliment, the DEC asked to use our grant application as a model for other lake associations seeking AIS funding. 

Speaking of recognition; Susan Clark has been an absolute rockstar in the fight against invasive milfoil. It’s not just us who think so, she also received the Lake Steward Award at this year’s NYSFOLA meeting. A well‐earned honor. It’s also clear that property owners around the lake appreciate the progress we’ve made in improving water quality and strengthening our role as stewards of Eagle Lake. Regular membership has grown by 10% over the past two years, and associate membership has mushroomed from just 2 to 15 showing that extended family members want to stay connected and informed about what’s happening at the lake. We’ve begun reaching out to potential business sponsors, and we’re optimistic that our updated sponsorship program will bring new businesses.

That said, we still have work to do. Twenty‐five property owners are not members. Ten have been inactive for several years or have never joined. The other fifteen are potential members. Please encourage your neighbors to join us in protecting and preserving the lake we all care about. When we apply for grants or permits the higher our membership rate the better chances we have.

This year’s ELPOI accomplishments included:

● Obtaining APA and DEC permits for continued treatment in 2026

● Scheduling treatment of the Southwest Bay

● Completing a successful capital campaign to support lake protection

● Establishing an ongoing AIS monitoring and rapid response plan

● Developing a floating marker prototype for future treatment needs

● Continuing participation in the Lake Tracker Program

● CSLAP water quality testing

● Conducting in‐house fecal coliform testing

● Completing a Membership Directory and updated the Property Map

● Revamping the Business Sponsorship program and recruiting of new sponsors

● Achieving Year Two of Loon‐Friendly Lake Certification

● Launching an ELPOI YouTube channel to improve communication and education

● Continuing community gatherings like the 3rd Annual Labor Day Picnic and mid‐summeron‐water gatherings

● Strengthening communication through our new Facebook page, newsletter, and website

While we’re proud of all this progress, the Board also recognizes that long‐term lake stewardship means shifting from “startup mode” into steady, ongoing maintenance. Much of our focus going forward will be on monitoring for aquatic invasive species and making sure we’re ready to respond quickly if something new appears. Early detection and rapid response remain our best tools for protecting Eagle Lake going forward.

At the same time, we believe caring for the lake also means building the community around it. One of Eagle Lake’s greatest strengths is the people who love it. In the coming year, we’ll continue creating opportunities for neighbors to connect. That will include our annual fall picnic, more informal boat‐float gatherings, and even a new water aerobics program at the beach.

While permits, grants, spreadsheets, and monitoring plans all matter, sometimes the best lakemanagement strategy is simply floating in the sun with your neighbors.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, participated, attended events, or supported ELPOI in any way this year. The progress we’ve made belongs to the entire Eagle Lake community. Together, we’re building a strong foundation for the future of the lake we all treasure.

Respectfully,

Cole Hickland

President, ELPOI

January 5, 2026

Dear Eagle Lake Property Owners,

As we leave 2025 in the rearview mirror and look ahead to 2026, I want to take a moment to share an update on what has been happening with the Eagle Lake Property Owners, Inc. (ELPOI) and outline our plans for the year ahead.

ELPOI has some newer members on the Board of Directors, adding fresh energy, new ideas, and a renewed sense of momentum to complement the experience of our long term members. Thanks to this collaborative approach and a tremendous amount of work by the entire board many positive things have been accomplished for our lake and our community.

What has ELPOI been doing?

ELPOI has been active on many fronts, with a strong focus on protecting Eagle Lake while also fostering a stronger sense of community among our members. Highlights of these accomplishments include:

• Successfully treating the lake with ProcellaCOR, resulting in outstanding improvements;

• Forty-two ELPOI members contributing an average of just over $1,100 each to support the milfoil treatment campaign;

• Adding a stronger social component to ELPOI membership to help build an Eagle Lake community;

• Launching a monthly newsletter to improve communication and keep members informed;

• Introducing a new ELPOI logo and branded merchandise, including shirts, hats, and personalized holiday ornaments;

• Launching a new, more user-friendly website;

• Establishing new Facebook site;

• Achieving Loon-Friendly Lake certification;

• Receiving a Volunteer Service Award from the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP);

• Organizing lakeshore cleanup days;

• Organizing boat-float social gatherings and an end-of-summer picnic;

• Continuing CSLAP and fecal coliform testing to monitor water quality.

These accomplishments are the direct result of not only hard work by the ELPOI board but also member involvement and generosity. Protecting Eagle Lake truly is a shared responsibility, and your support makes real, measurable progress possible.

Looking ahead to 2026

As we move into the new year, ELPOI remains focused on protecting Eagle Lake while continuing to enhance the member experience. Our plans include:

• Working on permits to treat the western basin of the lake to eliminate remaining milfoil and protect the eastern basin from recontamination;

• Applying for additional grant funding to help finance 2026 treatment and on-going invasive monitoring;

• Reaching out to property owners who have not yet contributed, with the goal of raising funds for additional treatment;

• Forming a committee to explore potential boat-launch solutions for members;

• On-going monitoring for invasive species to enable rapid response to small infestations;

• Expanding the social aspect of ELPOI by continuing boat-float gatherings and adding new events;

• Refining ELPOI merchandise offerings based on member preferences;

• Reformatting the monthly newsletter for improved readability and engagement;

• Continuing CSLAP and fecal coliform testing;

• Strengthening connections with other lake associations to share best practices;

• Updating the annual meeting format to include a coffee-and-treats social hour before the meeting instead of lunch following the meeting.

How you can help

As we look ahead, we need the support of every Eagle Lake property owner. Milfoil management is an ongoing effort, and on-going monitoring and control is essential to preserving water quality, property values, recreation, and the overall health of the lake.

We ask you to consider contributing to the 2026 Milfoil Campaign to help fund the next phase of treatment.

Your participation matters, together, we can ensure Eagle Lake remains healthy, beautiful, and enjoyable for generations to come.

On behalf of the entire ELPOI Board, thank you for your continued commitment to Eagle Lake. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and enjoyable new year,

Sincerely,

Cole Hickland, President 

Eagle Lake Property Owners, Inc.

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