Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Board of Directors Philip R. Forlenza Julia Champagne William C. Janeway Ongoing Project
Ethan Friedman Clarence Petty Legislative Intern Executive Director Consultants
Chair
Lea Paine Highet Kevin Chlad Jess Kelley
Michael A. Bettmann, M.D. Legal Counsel
Lee Keet Director of Government Relations Development Assistant
Vice-Chairs Kevin McNulty J. Michael Naughton,
Sarah C. Hatfield Justin Potter Elisabeth (Lizzie) Fainberg Nick LaScala Young/Sommer
Laurel Skarbinski Rural Law Fellow Clarence Petty Social Media Intern
Meredith M. Prime Phil Gitlen, Whiteman Osterman
John Reschovsky Diane Fish Will Lutkewitte & Hanna LLP
Treasurer
Brian Ruder Deputy Director Clarence Petty VISION Project Intern
Daniel J. Ryterband Karyn A. Booth, Thompson Hine LLP
Kate Russell J. A. Tyler Frakes Casey Marvell
Secretary Douglas Schultz Membership Director Policy Fellow Bernard Melewski, Esq.
Liza Cowan Douglas Stewart
Lisa M. Genier Deborah J. Pastore Matthew Melewski, Esq.,
Past Chair Curtis R. Welling The Boutique Firm
Program Analyst Development Director
Robert J. Kafin Ethan Winter
Clean Water Initiative
Mary Godnick Julia Randall
Kurt Abrahamson Marketing and Communications Associate Clarence Petty Conservation Intern David J. Miller
Staff Members
Emily M. Bateson Adirondack
Rocci Aguirre Julia Goren Emily Schwartz Diversity Initiative
Jill Choate Beier Adirondack VISION Project Director
Director of Conservation Colgate Upstate Institute Conservation Intern Jeff Jones
David E. Bronston
Charles D. Canham, Ph.D. Jackie Bowen Racey Henderson John F. Sheehan Adirondack VISION Project
Ann E. Carmel Conservation Associate Essex Farm Institute Program Director Director of Communications Tom Woodman
Georgina Cullman, Ph.D. Elaine Burke Susan Hughes
Thomas Curley Director of Operations Executive Assistant
2 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
Outdoor recreation is central to the economy
that is so important to the Adirondacks’ 103
communities. Increasingly, there is agreement
CONTENTS
that comprehensive planning, better funding and a
pilot program for permits are tools that could help
tackle the problems associated with overuse of the
Adirondack Park’s most popular hiking trails. These
2 Letter from the Executive Director actions will benefit the natural resources, visitor
safety, wilderness experience, and local economy.
5 2019 Report Card
6 The Governor
8 State Legislature
11 The Courts
12 Attorney General
13 Tip of the Hat
14 Preserving Water & Wildlands
p.14
16 Local Government
18 Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Our Mission
21 Adirondack Park Agency
The mission of the Adirondack Council is to ensure the
23 Federal Government ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack
Park for current and future generations.
25 Other Agencies
Written and Edited by Adirondack Council Staff
26 Awards View online at: AdirondackCouncil.org
Copyright 2019 - Adirondack Council
27 2020 Priorities Cover: View from Ampersand Mountain PHOTO: NANCIE BATTAGLIA
Through public education and advocacy for the protection NYS Conservation Easement Lands
of the Park’s ecological integrity and wild character, the
Adirondack Council advises public and private policymakers Waterbodies
on ways to safeguard this great expanse of open space. Select Communities
4 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
2019
REPORT
CARD
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
6 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
Substantial Cash for Good People remote locations. Both the Adirondack
Council and local officials called for
Communities, Tourism in Right Places
better coverage. See Attorney General
The Governor has devoted an additional The Governor made great choices for his top section for details on A.G. Letitia James’
$180 million to fund new Olympic Regional environmental advisors when he appointed lawsuit that won customer rebates for
Development Authority facilities in Lake Dale Bryk of the Natural Resources Defense services not rendered. The Governor
Placid, which will host the World University Council as Deputy Secretary for Energy and announced in January 2019 a new task
Games in 2023. This is on top of $80+ the Environment and Amanda Lefton of force, but to date there have been no
million announced last year. The winter The Nature Conservancy as First Assistant appointments or meetings scheduled.
games expect to attract 2,500 college Secretary for Energy and the Environment.
athletes from 52 countries. The Governor’s He also chose Open Space Institute Senior
Helping Visitors
Regional Economic Development Council for VP Erik Kulleseid to direct the Office of
the North Country provided $64.8 million for Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation,
Understand What They See
70 economic development projects across and retained veteran Dept. of Environmental The Visitor Interpretive Centers operated
the Adirondack/North Country region. Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos by Paul Smith’s College in the hamlet of
after first accepting his resignation in 2018. Paul Smiths and by the SUNY College
Stewardship Funding of Environmental Science and Forestry
Proposed Raid on in Newcomb received $180,000 and
Higher, Not High Enough
$120,000 in state grants respectively from
The Governor proposed a small increase in Environmental Fund
the Environmental Protection Fund.
the State Land Stewardship portion of the As part of his budget plans, the Governor
2019-20 Environmental Protection Fund, proposed using the Environmental
State Sacks Single-Use
seeking $33.7 million. The final $33 million Protection Fund (EPF) to pay for salaries
approved by the Legislature was higher than of state employees. The EPF is a capital
Plastic Bags
the 2018-19 level of $32.6 million; however, projects account designed to fund open The Governor and Legislature agreed in
too much has been spent to accommodate space protection, landfill closures, recycling the state budget to ban single-use plastic
motorized recreation. There were no funds facilities, watershed protection projects, bags for most retail carry-out goods
dedicated to address overuse in the Park’s and grants for projects that state agencies starting in March of 2020. The ban will
busiest and most popular Wilderness areas. cannot complete on their own. The reduce litter in the Adirondacks and state-
Legislature would not agree to the EPF raid. wide, protect vulnerable wildlife, and
reduce petroleum use. Exceptions allow
Making Invasive disposable plastic bags for raw meat, fish
or poultry, bulk items, sliced/prepared
Species Unwelcome
foods, newspaper delivery, or prescription
In June, the Governor awarded $2.8 drugs. Trash bags, food-storage bags
million in grants to Paul Smith’s College and garment bags will still be available.
Adirondack Watershed Institute and multiple Cities and counties will have the option
Adirondack lake associations to help of charging a 5-cent fee for paper bags.
combat invasive species. The state, with
support from partners including The Nature
Taking a Bite
Conservancy, Lake George Association,
Fund for Lake George and Lake George
Out of Food Waste
Aerial view of Saranac Lake
Commission, also opened and staffed a The Governor gained approval of the Food
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
new boat decontamination station at the Donation and Food Scrap Recycling Act,
Northway (I-87) Adirondack Visitor Center, in an effort to prevent food waste, reduce
Facelift for Park’s
in the rest area between Exits 17 & 18. greenhouse gas, and rescue wasted food
Biggest Village Unfortunately, voluntary use of the new for those in need. Surveys indicate that 40
The Governor awarded a $10-million Northway facility is less than 10 percent. percent of food in the U.S. is wasted, while
downtown revitalization grant to the Village some 2.5 million New Yorkers struggle to
of Saranac Lake, the Park’s largest village. Mission Not Accomplished have enough to eat. The largest generators
Performing arts are an important element of food waste will be required to separate
on Broadband
of a vibrant and successful community. They excess wholesome food for donation
received a big boost winning the largest In spite of committing $500 million in and to recycle/compost any scraps. This
grant of $2.5 million for the $6.5 million subsidies to encourage private infrastructure effort is expected to reduce waste in the
Pendragon Theatre downtown expansion. for broadband internet coverage, reliable Adirondacks and keep 250,000 tons of
service has not reached New York’s most food out of landfills each year.
8 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
Adirondack Park’s most remote locations. By projects by $15.25 million, to $55.25 million. Adirondack Lakes Survey Corp. Meanwhile,
amending his bill to meet their concerns, the The funds will be used to improve access it has been almost 35 years since the last
chair earned support from environmental to state lands, rehabilitate campgrounds, comprehensive survey of Park waters
organizations, the Adirondack Association buy air-quality monitoring infrastructure, for acid rain damage. A new modified
of Towns and Villages and the Adirondack remediate contamination, and repair/ assessment is needed to track progress and
Common Ground Alliance. Senate EnCon maintain dams and fish hatcheries. None to prove that pollution controls enacted so
Chair Kaminsky was also a sponsor. of the funding is dedicated to address far have worked and should be advanced.
overuse or protect Wilderness.
Opportunity Motorized Bicycles
Squandered Water Money Everywhere, Pose Challenge
Both houses allowed a Conservation Design Not a Drop … Both houses passed legislation (S.5291A/
bill (S.6484/A.8123) to die in committee Despite appropriating billions of dollars A.7431B) sponsored by Assemblywoman
that would have improved the Adirondack for clean water loan programs, the Nily Rozic, D-Queens, and Sen. Jessica
Park Agency’s (APA) 48-year-old standards Legislature failed to provide supplemental Ramos, D-Queens, that authorizes motor-
for development in the Park’s most hardship grants beyond 25 percent of total assisted bikes (e-bikes) of less than 750
sensitive locations. The bill would protect project costs for small, rural communities watts to be used on streets and roads.
wildlife, water quality and forest health by whose taxpayers cannot afford expensive Qualifying e-bikes have a maximum speed
clustering remote development, leaving wastewater treatment systems without of 20 mph via electric motors. The bill
the majority of the parcel intact. The APA’s state help. Programs funded by the state’s authorizes local governing bodies to
rules discourage residential development Environmental Facilities Corp. cap state restrict or prohibit e-bikes, and prohibits
in unbroken forest, but requiring clustering grants to communities at 25 percent of the e-bikes on state Forest Preserve lands,
and similar conservation strategies are cost of the project. Adirondack communities, except where the Dept. of Environmental
at the discretion of the agency. This which have an average of 1,000 residents Conservation allows them. It is unclear
legislation was not advanced in spite of each, cannot afford to repay 75 percent whether the Governor will sign the bill.
support from Adirondack environmental of multi-million-dollar projects, even with
organizations, the Adirondack Association zero-interest loans. Both houses failed to act Reclaiming Multi-Use
of Towns and Villages, the Adirondack Park on a measure by Senator Anna M. Kaplan,
for the Many
Local Government Review Board and the D-Great Neck, and Assemblyman Steven
Adirondack Common Ground Alliance. Otis, D-Rye, (S.4520/A.6316) which was Sen. Anna M. Kaplan,
supported by the Council, to allow 40-year, D-Great Neck, and
zero-interest loans instead of 30-year terms. Assemblywoman Patricia
It’s a
Fahy, D-Albany, sponsored
Start legislation (S.4416B/
No Boost for
EnCon Chairs Kaminsky A.5035B) that would
and Englebright Forest Health require the Office of Parks,
sponsored legislation Neither house passed new property Recreation and Historic
(S.5836/A.7537) to curb tax incentives for improved private Preservation to work with
KAPLAN
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) forest management. There were diverse the depts. of Environmental
misuse in the state’s four stakeholders agreeing on the need to make Conservation, Health and
most sensitive forests: the the program more efficient, reduce the Transportation to create
Adirondack and Catskill current acreage limits, and create incentives a comprehensive plan
forest preserves, the Long for those who manage forests for wildlife for the development of
Island Pine Barrens and ENGLEBRIGHT protection and/or carbon sequestration, non-motorized multi-use
Albany Pine Bush. The bills were introduced rather than just for timber production. trail systems. Lately, state
after the Adirondack Council issued a report agencies that manage
in 2019 entitled: WRONG WAY: How New Acid Rain Research public lands have been
York State Can Course-Correct on ATVs. using the term “multi-
Support in Doubt FAHY
use” trails to accommodate
Despite cuts in federal funding proposed by more motorized recreation and use. This
Boost for
the Trump administration, the Legislature legislation would ensure that ”multi-use”
Works Programs failed to provide new funding to support trails include the needs of hikers, paddlers,
Legislative leaders in both houses supported vital acid rain and climate change data snowshoers, and skiers. It was unclear
the Governor’s New York Works Program, collection in the Adirondack Park. Funding whether the Governor would sign the bill.
increasing state budget funding for Dept. remains in doubt for air and water sampling
of Environmental Conservation capital programs such as those undertaken by the
10 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
THE
COURTS
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
12 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
TIP OF
THE HAT
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
14 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
NEW YORK STATE RECOGNIZES
OVERUSE CHALLENGES
NANCIE BATTAGLIA
THE SOLUTION
The state agrees that a six-part comprehensive
strategy advocated by the Adirondack Council,
wilderness advocates and other Park stakeholders
is “essential for wildlands management.” These
best management practices (BMPs) are:
1. Comprehensive planning
2. Education and outreach
3. Improved parking, information
centers, and bathrooms
4. Improved trails and campsites A DEC trail crew works to
5. Limits on use, at some improve trail conditions
times, at some places
6. Needed staff and funding A DEC Forest Ranger
talks with a hiker
NANCIE BATTAGLIA
TO ADDRESS OVERUSE, EDITORIALS
AND STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR
PLANNING, FUNDING & PERMITS YOU CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!
The Dept. of Environmental Conservation Add your voice in support of strong
and the Town of Keene hosted a meeting protections, comprehensive planning and
with approximately 60 stakeholders. The increased funding for the Adirondacks!
priority of those attending was that the state
collect better data, develop a comprehensive Visit AdirondackCouncil.org, sign the overuse
plan, dedicate more funding and personnel petition, send an email to policymakers, or learn
to the Adirondacks, test a permit or how you can lessen your impact by practicing
reservation system to better manage use the seven principles of Leave No Trace.
when and where it exceeds capacity.
16 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
fines for those violations, and invite sign Coverage gaps can be solved on remote
More “Flexible”
clutter by eliminating the prohibition highways and small communities without
against billboards and off-premises business towers, through emerging technologies such
Protections?
signs outside of hamlets/villages. as small-cell or 5G transceivers attached The AATV is proposing “more flexible,” but
to existing utility poles and structures. really weaker, environmental protections to
Weak on try and stimulate increased economic activity,
jobs and population growth in the Park. A
Invasive Species detailed analysis of decades of data compiled
In the spring of 2019, the AATV told state by Protect the Adirondacks! showed that the
Legislators that preventing the spread environmental protections in the Adirondacks
of invasive species is “of paramount haven’t created more challenging economic
importance and … critical to the economy, conditions than in other rural areas across
ecology and quality of life in the Adirondack New York, or across the nation. A Clarkson
Park.” Yet, the AATV balked at supporting a University analysis funded by the Adirondack
mandatory decontamination program Council found that property values rose
for the park. Their decision came despite in direct relation to their proximity to
the expansion of a state-funded network protected forests and Wilderness lands.
of boat-washing stations across the
Adirondack Park. In fact, some members State Helping Hand,
of AATV and the Adirondack Park Local Local Cold Shoulder
Government Review Board actively
In the fall of 2018, officials in Essex County
opposed comprehensive decontamination.
objected when the state tried to help them
Inspection and decontamination are free
dispense with a problematic rail road operator.
of charge and take only a few minutes.
The state began an “adverse abandonment”
Preventing the spread of invasive species
proceeding against Iowa-Pacific Holdings
is much simpler and cheaper than dealing
(IPH), which had misled local officials about
with the consequences of an infestation.
State Police emergency tower on Cathead Mtn. its plan to store oil tank cars between North
Creek and Newcomb. IPH parked dozens
Cut More of cars along a scenic stretch of the Upper
Trees Promoting Motorized Hudson River. Rather than accept the state’s
The AATV supports increased cutting and Use of Wilderness help, officials said they feared the state was
removal of trees from the Forest Preserve angling to remove the tracks. The state’s
Officials in Hamilton County continued actions are aimed at re-establishing local
to enhance individual sports such as
to press for a Constitutional Amendment control over the line, which was seized from
glade skiing and snowmobiling, and also
to construct a road and install a power the counties and the state by the federal
to restore and maintain scenic vistas.
line across a section of the Silver Lake government during World War II. There is
Wilderness Area for a new county no state proposal to remove the tracks.
Blaming APA for Cell emergency communications tower. The
Company Decisions Council supports the effort to improve Oppose State Land
emergency communications using on-site
Complaints about poor or non-existent Acquisition Policy
power, negating the need for an amendment.
cell phone coverage, a real and common The state’s current land acquisition policy is
The tower could be located on the private
problem in rural areas across the United driven by the State Open Space Conservation
summit of Cathead Mountain. The State
States, motivated some local elected Plan. The state tries to avoid acquisition
Police already operate an emergency tower
politicians to call for more and taller towers of “highly productive” forest land, unless
there, with on-site wind, solar energy,
even if they are not screened. Some local such land is threatened with development.
and backup generator, with no road or
officials lobbied state government to strike Exceptions are made where wilderness
power line. Complicating matters, a private
down the Adirondack Park Agency’s (APA) conservation values outweigh the timber
hunting club that owns the summit where
successful and long-established program production potential. For example, Whitney
the tower would be built wants a road for
for concealing new cell towers within the Park contains productive timberland but is
motorized access to its private property.
landscape, requiring them to be “substantially also at the heart of the proposed Bob Marshall
Club owners purchased the land knowing
invisible.” Contrary to complaints, cell Great Wilderness and Wild Lands Complex.
it had no such access. An amendment
companies report that the APA’s standard So, it is identified as a possible acquisition.
would bring new traffic to the Wilderness
has not delayed deployment and locations The AATV wants this policy amended and
area’s interior, which is in conflict with
with limited cell coverage lack sufficient local elected leaders are opposing most, if
plans to protect the area as motor-free.
potential subscribers to attract vendors. not all, new state land acquisitions.
18 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
Expanded Has a Cap, Blue Ridge Wilderness
Overuse Outreach Doesn’t Wear It Snowmobile Trail
In 2018 and early 2019, DEC officials The DEC’s management plan for the High Rather than fully consider a route through
expanded education and outreach efforts Peaks Wilderness Area and Vanderwhacker a less sensitive area of public land, avoid
to help redirect users away from overused Mountain Wild Forest added 12.4 miles of encroaching on Wilderness, and/or work
locations of the Forest Preserve. Expanded roads, including one that would run within with private landowners, the DEC proposed
signage helped to redirect visitors to safer 500 feet of Boreas Ponds. The Adirondack siting four miles of a new snowmobile trail
parking and less crowded places. The DEC Park State Land Master Plan forbids the through the Blue Ridge Wilderness Area
has also implemented necessary parking expansion of public road mileage on the in Hamilton County. Wilderness areas are
closures along Route 73 through the Town of Forest Preserve. The DEC may add public supposed to be motor-free. It is technically
Keene to begin addressing the problematic roads only if it concurrently removes legal for the DEC to allow a non-conforming
and unsafe parking conditions that resulted other public roads. New roads would be use within 500 feet of Wilderness Area
from having large numbers of visitors parking a significant vector for invasive species boundary, on a very limited basis, if it has no
on the shoulder of the road near the most for the forest and its lakes and streams. other choice. In this case, however, the DEC
popular trailheads. The DEC also worked Officials acknowledged during a recent APA has other choices. Its decision to site the
with the Barkeater Trails Alliance and others meeting that the department must address trail here only worsens its reputation as an
during a wet spring to keep hikers and the mileage cap. No action has been taken. active opponent of Wilderness preservation.
mountain bikers from damaging muddy trails.
Snowmobile Plan
Less Collides with Trees
Forever Wild The DEC is moving ahead with plans to build
The DEC moved to weaken the NYS a road-like Class II Community Connector
Constitution’s “Forever Wild” clause by Snowmobile Trail System despite clear
pursuing development and expanded tree warning signs. The wider, flatter, straighter
cutting on the Forest Preserve at multiple trails will encourage faster travel through
locations across the Park. A proposal the Adirondack Forest Preserve. These wider
by the Olympic Regional Development trails mean more tree-cutting to construct
Authority to cut thousands of trees and maintain the trails. The DEC’s tree-
wasn’t scaled back until the Council and cutting practices for snowmobile trails have Overlooking Jamestown Falls and the
other advocates objected. At another been the subject of lawsuits. The “Forever Raquette-Jordan Boreal Primitive Area
site, the DEC pressed ahead with plans Wild” clause of the NYS Constitution PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
to build public motorized recreational forbids the sale, removal or destruction of
timber on Forest Preserve lands. In June
Still Talking About
trails on Forest Preserve that is protected
from motors under the Wild, Scenic and 2019, the DEC’s community connector More Motorized Access
Recreational Rivers Act. The DEC proposes plans were deemed unconstitutional by a In 2019, DEC staff continued to press for
four miles of new snowmobile trail in the panel of judges from the Appellate Division additional public motorized access in the
Blue Ridge Wilderness. The list goes on. of the NYS Supreme Court. The judges area north of the Raquette-Jordan Boreal
recognized that the DEC needs to cut some Primitive Area in St. Lawrence County. The
trees to create trails, campsites, etc. They DEC knows this will have a negative impact
Undermining a Strong,
determined that the impacts of the project’s on the recovery of the native spruce grouse
Independent APA tree-cutting must be considered as a whole – an endangered species. It will also slow
The DEC is using its superior size, funding and not on a segment-by-segment basis, as the transition of the Primitive Area to full,
and political influence to exert pressure on is the DEC’s common practice. The judges motor-free Wilderness status. DEC staff said
the operations and decisions of the smaller also clarified that all trees must be counted the public should expect a new proposal for
Adirondack Park Agency (APA). The APA’s towards tree removal totals, rather than expanded motorized recreation in 2019.
56 staff members are supposed to act as just trees big enough to sell for timber.
a check on the DEC’s authority to manage Using these standards, the total tree cutting
New Improved
the Forest Preserve. Rather than respect count for the proposed trail being litigated
the APA’s independence, the DEC leaned on increased from 6,100 trees to 25,000. The
Wild Forest Plans
the agency to approve Unit Management Court opined that 25,000 was a substantial In 2019, the DEC completed UMPs that had
Plans (UMPs) that undermine state policies tree removal and therefore unconstitutional. been incomplete for more than a decade. In
requiring natural resource protection to June, it released a final plan for the Saranac
take precedence over intensive use. Lakes Wild Forest, which calls for new
management strategies for Forest Preserve
20 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
ADIRONDACK
PARK AGENCY
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
Aborted Renewable
Energy Policy
In October 2018, the APA announced a much
needed new draft policy to guide its review
of renewable energy production and energy
supply projects in the Park. The policy was
On Quebec Brook, Madawaska Flow also intended to expand public awareness
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC. Gore Mountain Ski Center
about climate change and harmful fossil
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
fuel consumption. This promising initiative
Limiting Public
was stalled after the agency chose not to
Comment Opportunities Cross Country Ski Trails,
pursue it, despite the clean energy goals
In an attempt to fast-track projects, the APA the state has set and the efforts of other Not Glades
and the DEC are misusing the public trust state agencies. The APA has not developed In late 2018, the APA and DEC released
by scheduling concurrent public comment a Park-wide renewable energy, energy a draft management guidance for the
periods for Unit Management Plans (UMPs) conservation and/or resilience plan. design, construction and maintenance of
for specific areas of the Forest Preserve. backcountry ski trails on Forest Preserve,
The DEC is supposed to propose plans and as defined in the Adirondack Park State
allow for comment. The DEC can only issue Land Master Plan. The agencies resisted
a proposed final plan after considering calls for constitutionally questionable
comments and making changes as alpine-style downhill ski glades on Forest
warranted. Then the APA collects comments Preserve lands that would involve the
on whether that final plan complies with cutting of some trees to open and expand
the Adirondack State Land Master Plan. wide ski runs between other trees. Currently,
First proposed for non-controversial creating or maintaining downhill ski
administrative actions, the APA is now using glades is allowed on the Forest Preserve
concurrent comment periods for more only where specifically authorized by
complex and controversial topics, limiting a Constitutional Amendment, such as
public participation and transparency. at Whiteface Mountain, Gore Mountain
Solar panels at Cloudsplitter Outfitters in Newcomb and Bellayre Mountain ski centers.
22 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
Trump Deals with the EPA Administrator objecting to his Keeping You Alive Too
proposal to deny New York’s petition, which
ACER Expensive for Polluters
was filed a few months after Maryland’s
In 2018, the Environmental Protection and Delaware’s. Smog causes serious health In December 2018, the EPA issued a
Agency (EPA) said that it planned to replace problems and thousands of pre-mature proposed revised Supplemental Cost
the Obama-era climate program known as deaths each year in the Northeast. Finding for the Mercury and Air Toxics
the Clean Power Plan with the proposed Standards, as well as the Clean Air Act “risk
Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACER). The and technology review” Requirement. The
proposal would undo mandatory carbon EPA used spurious data to create a cost/
reductions at electric power plants, the benefit analysis that made the program
nation’s largest source of greenhouses gases. seem too expensive. In addition, it proposed
Gone would be an expected 32-percent to nullify the principle that the EPA should
reduction in carbon by 2030, and the count “side-benefits” when assessing the
expected 12-percent cut in sulfur dioxide and desirability of pollution regulations. When
nitrogen oxides that would occur as a side- coal–fired power plants switch to cleaner
benefit of the modernizations required to fuels, mercury emissions are reduced,
meet the carbon standards. Under the Trump and so are sulfur and nitrogen, soot, and
administration’s rule, carbon reductions other pollution. The environment and
would be voluntary. Power plant owners human health will be compromised if
could rebuild old plants without reducing these side-benefits aren’t considered. The
their emissions to modern standards. EPA’s website says “the Agency proposes
to determine that it is not ‘appropriate
Please Ignore the and necessary’ to regulate hazardous
Coughing, Your Honor air pollution from power plants …”
24 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
OTHER
AGENCIES
New Facilities to Plan and includes the roadbed and right- including private wells. The DOT must design
of-way for state and interstate highways and implement a strategy to transform
Safeguard Water
in the Park; the Remsen to Lake Placid its approach to road deicing in sensitive
In 2018, the Environmental Facilities railroad right-of-way; and those state locations around the state, with emphasis
Corporation’s (EFC) Water Infrastructure lands immediately adjacent to them. Each on the Adirondacks. The Park’s thin soils,
Improvement Act program awarded over $6 one will need its own Unit Management abundant water and steep slopes make
million in clean water infrastructure grants Plan, which should include transportation for rapid discharge from road to water.
and an additional $17 million in zero interest activities, assessments of carrying
financing to Adirondack communities. This capacity, and management objectives. Extra-Constitutional
has helped keep untreated sewage out of Amusements
Adirondack waters such as the Ausable River,
In 2018, the Olympic Regional Development
Lake Champlain and their tributaries. The
Authority (ORDA) operated Whiteface
EFC has also dedicated technical assistance
Mountain Ski Center outside the limits of
staff in the Adirondacks to help communities
its legal authority, by offering the public
with their projects and co-hosted a May
rides on trails in the Forest Preserve in a
2019 workshop in the Park, partnering with
utility task vehicle (UTV). Off-road vehicles
the Adirondack Council and Essex County.
and commercial activities are generally not
Lifeline Too allowed on Forest Preserve trails. Whiteface
Ski Center operates on the Forest Preserve
Heavy for Boat
via a constitutional amendment that spells
The Environmental Facilities Corp (EFC) Steering Towards out allowable winter uses. The Adirondack
failed to adjust its internal policy that limits Safe Roads, Clean Water Council and Adirondack Mountain Club
its grants to communities for wastewater objected and the UTV rides stopped.
treatment facilities to only 25 percent of the The NYS Department of Transportation (DOT)
said in December 2018 that it will begin using
project cost. The Governor promised that the That’s a Lot
grant program would close the gap between less salt on Route 86 between Lake Placid
and Wilmington. As part of the DOT’s salt
of Trees
what communities needed and what they
pilot test program, the speed limit on some At Mount Van Hoevenberg Recreation
could afford, with a cap of $5 million per
parts of the 16-mile section of highway will Area in 2019, ORDA officials proposed
community. Many Adirondack communities
be reduced from 55 to 45 miles per hour cutting down more than 5,000 Forest
cannot afford to repay loans for 75 percent
for the winter months. The test is designed Preserve trees to construct new spectator
of a multi-million-dollar treatment facility.
to protect Mirror Lake and the Ausable and competition amenities for the 2023
Planning Framework River. The DOT is implementing a similar World University Games. ORDA had at
salt-reduction test along Route 9N from the first concluded that no tree-cutting on the
in Place
Village of Lake George to the Town of Bolton. Forest Preserve was needed to upgrade
In May, after 10 years in the making, facilities for the Games. The recreation area
the departments of Transportation and No Time for is the site of bobsled, biathlon and nordic
Environmental Conservation published the Baby Steps ski racing facilities. ORDA scaled back its
Master Travel Corridor Unit Management estimates of cutting and moved some of the
Plan for State Highways in the Adirondack The DOT keeps taking small, incremental
construction to non-Forest Preserve lands
Park. This outlines goals, strategies, steps to address the worsening problem
after the Adirondack Council and others
objectives, policies, and guidelines for the of road salt contamination in Adirondack
objected. Unlike at Whiteface and Gore
management of the 28 travel corridors lakes, rivers and underground supplies.
Mountain ski centers, Mt. Van Hoevenberg
inside the Park. A travel corridor is one Meanwhile, reports keep pouring in about
has no constitutional amendment to
of nine basic state land classifications in lakes and streams all over the Park showing
authorize activities that would otherwise
the Adirondack Park State Land Master elevated sodium and chloride levels,
be prohibited on the Forest Preserve.
26 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL
2020
PRIORITIES
Federal and state elected and appointed government leaders will be
making critical decisions in the year ahead that will affect the legacy of the
Adirondacks for all time. Priorities for 2020 include:
Defend the East’s Strengthen the Support Working
Greatest Wilderness Adirondack Park Agency Forests and Farms
Finish, fund and implement a comprehensive The Governor should appoint, and the Secure new incentives, regulations and
plan to address overuse including: more Senate should confirm, a diverse slate of policies to promote ecologically sustainable,
traditional Forest Rangers and other staff; new and returning board members with climate-friendly working forests and farms.
address all-terrain vehicle misuse; and defend expertise in environmental science, law,
the NYS Constitution’s “Forever Wild” clause. planning, park tourism, and development; Improve Community
and improve agency protections of
Communications
Combat Climate large acreage in remote locations.
Require telecom companies to provide
Change and Acid Rain universal broadband access in the Park;
Update Invasive
Fund and execute the Climate Leadership improve cell coverage via incentives for
and Community Protection Act; fight acid Species Protections “substantially invisible” infrastructure in
rain; promote clean energy and energy Strengthen the law against transport communities and on major highways.
conservation; and dedicate new funding of invasive species from one lake or
to acid rain and climate research. river to another; and improve it with Expand
mandatory boat/trailer decontamination
Conservation Funding
Protect Clean Water and in the Adirondacks at a network
of free inspection stations. Expand funding for protection of pure water,
Reduce Road Salt Pollution wildlife and wildlands; fund increases in state
Continue clean water grants to communities staffing to address climate change, overuse,
at $1 billion per year or more; provide invasive species and other threats.
larger grants, not loans, to rural towns; and
take comprehensive actions to address
road salt pollution of drinking water.
The Adirondack Council is committed to our mission, our values and these priorities. We will use the best available
science and respect diverse views in order to achieve these results. We will employ our knowledge of the political
process to be the leading advocate for the Adirondacks. We work with partners, promote diversity, and find common
ground when possible. We carry on the legacy of early conservation visionaries and ensure the Park is known and
protected as a national treasure.
info@adirondackcouncil.org @AdirondackCouncil
www.AdirondackCouncil.org @AdirondackCouncil
518.873.2240
@Adk_Council