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DEC pulls lifeguards from North-South Lake, other state campgrounds
Andrea Macko reports in Porcupine Soup there won't be lifeguards at North-South Lake in Greene County this summer, as the Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week they are removing all lifeguard supervision at its 52 campgrounds. Only Lake George Beach and Hinckley Reservoir in the Adirondacks are keeping lifeguards as the state agency says it is too difficult to find help. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “To continue to offer a quality recreational experience, DEC is transitioning our campground beaches in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve to unsupervised swimming areas to allow the public to continue enjoying this part of the camping experience." The American Lifeguard Association says there is a “critical national lifeguard shortage.” Last July the American Red Cross said, "we are bearing witness to a human capital shortage in the form of aquatic managers, certified lifeguards, and swim instructors.” Read more about this story in Porcupine Soup.