Reporter Thomas Kaplan reports that a majority of New York voters support a ballot measure to allow Las Vegas-style casinos in New York, a new Siena College poll shows. While debate has been muted on the proposal, the New York State Catholic Conference warned Sunday of social problems associated with gambling.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo made a surprise visit to the Adirondack’s on Thursday to meet with the Adirondack Nature Conservancy at Follensby Pond near Tupper Lake and then talked with local government leaders at Gore Mountain near North Creek. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Peter Bauer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, gave a presentation on updating regulations for water quality at Thursday’s "Strengthening the APA" conference held at Paul Smith’s College.  

A staff report notes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo met with local officials and state legislators on Thursday to discuss how New York should classify the large tracts of former Finch timberlands that  the state recently bought from The Nature Conservancy.

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited the area Thursday to gather information as he weighs the future use of the state’s latest forestland acquisition in the Adirondack Park.
 

Reporter Cristine Meixner reports that the entire 18,188-acre Essex Chain of Lakes tract purchased by the State of New York in late 2012  will be open to the public as of Oct. 1.

A staff report notes that  the Center for Biological Diversity reached a settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service late Monday giving the agency four years to consider whether to protect the Bicknell’s thrush under the Endangered Species Act.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that Salim Amersi, owner of Surfside Hotel in Lake George, is seeking a variance of village zoning laws to build a six-story, 72-feet-tall structure in a zone that now has a three-story maximum. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that at a special meeting held Wednesday morning, the Tupper Lake town board unanimously passed a resolution to support the state removing little-used rails along the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor to develop a multi-use recreational trail. 

Reporter Thom Randall reports that the town of Chester has been awarded $207,000 this week in federal funding toward their effort to convert to biofuel heating of their expansive municipal center. 

Reporter Levi Pascher reports that according to a report from t he state comptroller’s office, none of the localities in Fulton, Montgomery or Hamilton counties are facing significant fiscal stress.

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that the first annual Festival for the Lake, which aims to raise funds for the fight against invasive species in Lake George will be held this weekend. 

The Denton Publications editorial board asks voters to approve Proposition 5 — the Adirondack Land Swap between NYCO and New York state. The deal appears to be a win-win situation for both.

Writer Bill Ingersoll writes that previous constitutional amendments regarding land use changes in the Adirondacks have been very limited in scope, and are one main reason why they passed. He explores the divide in the environmental advocacy groups regarding the NYCO proposal, with two supporting and two opposing. 

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Museum is one of 24 museums across the nation to be awarded a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  The museum will receive $98,264 for a two-part project that will involve conducting a conservation study of its collections and facilities and then developing the museum’s first-ever long-range preservation plan.. 

Reporter Pat Bradley reports that during a two-week survey of the lake, volunteers and staff from the Lake George Asian Clam Task Force discovered new infestations, bringing the number of confirmed sites in Lake George to 13.

Writer William Janeway, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council, writes  that the APA should recommend to Gov. Andrew Cuomo the "Wilderness with Access" alternative for the former Finch timberlands. 

Reporter Brian Kelly reports that an environmental preservation group has renewed its motion to halt construction of community connector snowmobile trails in the Adirondack Park while a lawsuit is pending in the matter. 

A staff report notes that Paul Smith’s College will host a conference on Thursday to review the progress and unfinished business of the Adirondack Park Agency and regional planning in the Adirondack Park.
 

Reporter Joanna Richards reports that farmers voiced their frustrations with the complex government bureaucracy that they must navigate to operate nearly every aspect of their businesses at a forum hosted by state lawmakers on Thursday in Watertown. 

Reporter Sarah Harris reports that airports in Plattsburgh, Lake Clear, Watertown and Potsdam were awarded major grants for infrastructure improvement from New York State on Thursday.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that a volunteer group plans to reopen the Big Tupper ski area this winter, hoping to keep the ski area active until the Adirondack Club and Resort project is able to move forward after having been on hold for nearly two years due to a lawsuit filed by green groups. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Tupper Lake Village Trustee Rick Donah would like the board to take a stance on the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor debate. 

Reporter Thom Randall reports that after architectural drawings of the proposed six-story Marriott hotel were criticized by the Lake George village planning board on Wednesday, developers have vowed to initiate changes to make the hotel more visually appealing. 

Reporter David Cederstrom reports that Lake George Village Mayor Bob Blais has said that we will need to shift our thinking from attempting to eradicate the invasive Asian clams found in Lake George to merely keeping them under control. 

A staff report notes that a two-week lakewide survey in early September has revealed that the invasive clams in Lake George are showing up in new locations and spreading beyond treated areas.

Reporter Lisa Foderaro reports that the Adirondack Park Agency has received nearly 4,000 written comments leaning four to one in favor of a Wilderness classification of the former Finch lands, while spoken testimony tilts slightly in favor of a Wild Forest classification.

Reporter Pat Bradley reports that NYCO Minerals is hoping to trade 1,500 acres for 200 acres of forest preserve land.  This land swap, also known as Proposition 5, will appear on the statewide ballot this fall asking New York voters for approval.

The Times Union editorial board writes that the state needs to increase funding for the state DEC in order to continue to protect our forests and our water.  

Writer Roger Gocking writes that he was very disappointed with how the DEC conducted the rail-trail public meeting in Ray Brook on Tuesday Sept. 10. 

Reporter Peter Crowley reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Monday that it will be awarding a $967,110 grant to enlarge and improve the Adirondack Regional Airport’s passenger terminal. 

A staff report notes that the public comment period on mandatory boat inspections on Lake George is now open.  The Lake George Park Commission public hearings on the proposed rule have been scheduled for next month. 

Reporter Don Lehman reports that five more areas of Asian clam infestation were discovered in Lake George earlier this month during a lakewide search for the invasive species. 

A staff report notes that St. Lawrence County legislator Sallie A. Brothers will be resigning effective September 25 for health reasons. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the support for keeping the railroad tracks in the Remsen-Lake Placid corridor was overwhelming at the DEC’s public meeting in Utica on Monday. 

Reporter Gordon Block reports that the New York Air National Guards 174th Attack Wing will move its drone operations from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base near Syracuse next year. 

Reporter Ryan Delaney reports that Senator Charles Schumer will be making a case to the Federal Aviation Administration to name upstate New York as one of a half-dozen testing sites for drones. 

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that environmentalists have said the condition of lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks are steadily recovering from the effects of acid rain.

Writer James Jennings of Long Lake, NY writes that, in the interest of retaining motorized access to the former Finch timberlands, the towns should have looked into purchasing the property themselves to ensure that any trail system would be owned by the community and not by the state.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Jim Connolly, the APA’s deputy director of planning, has retired. He has held the position for hte past 11 years.

A staff report notes that the Wild Center has been awarded $144,273 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to continue the Northern New York Maple project.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the town of Harrietstown has agreed to borrow money to fix a retaining wall behind its town hall that was damaged in the spring 2011 flood.
 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that a number of people are expressing concern over the process being utilized to decide whether or not to review the unit management plan for the Remsen-Lake Placid travel corridor.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Richard Booth, chairman of the APA’s State Land committee has said that he doesn’t think a wild forest designation would be appropriate for the Essex Chain of Lakes. 

 Reporter Victor Barbosa reports that Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray has announced that a committee will study the future of the municipally owned Massena Memorial Hospital.

Writer Christopher Fezza writes his response to Lewis Page’s August 30 letter which stated that the Adirondack Park should remain forever wild. 

The Associated Press reports that the rosy language describing the casino constitutional amendment is raising some eyebrows from good government advocates and those opposed to gambling.

Reporter Jon Campbell reports that the state DEC is disputing a report by Environmental Advocates of New York that claims DEC inspections of polluted sites fell 35 percent from 2009 to 2012.

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that the silence of opponents and supporters of the casino constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall is deafening — and surprising. 

Reporter Jesse McKinley reports that the language on the state ballot regarding the casino constitutional amendment says that approval of the measure will be “promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes.”

The Associated Press reports that new rules from the National Archives and Records Administration allow officials to use secret email accounts to conduct official business as long as the messages are preserved and turned over when they are sought under FOIL requests.

Reporter Jesse McKinley reports that the language on the state ballot regarding the casino constitutional amendment says that approval of the measure will be “promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes.”

Reporter Brian Mann reports that there was a large turnout for the first of a series of public meetings to discuss the two very different visions for the rail corridor between Old Forge and Saranac Lake.

The Denton Publications editorial board writes that while the classification debate over the the Essex Chain Lakes and other newly acquired Forest Preserve is important, the matter of balancing economic development and land preservation in the Adirondack Park is an issue that needs to be addressed. 

A staff report notes that Fort Ticonderoga and the State University of New York Research Foundation based at SUNY-Brockport will be receiving a federal grant for history workshops for school teachers. 

Reporter Thom Randall reports that Ted Galusha, an advocate for disabled access to recreational forest areas is heading to court to defend himself for driving past a state DEC warning sign towards a campsite for people with physical challenges. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the town of North Elba is abandoning plans to build a trail next to railroad tracks in the corridor between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, and the town board is asking the state to get rid of the rails.
 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that more than 150 people attended the first of four public meetings on Monday to discuss the Adirondack railroad corridor.   

A staff report notes that a team of biologists from the University of Texas at Arlington have been working with the U.S. Geological Survey in the Black and Oswegatchie river basins and have found that watershed wetlands can serve as a natural source for the improvement of streams polluted by acid rain. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the village of Saranac Lake has created a seven-person advisory board to make recommendations on projects and policies that will improve and support Saranac Lake’s downtown. 

Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that at a hearing to discuss a proposed $5 billion environmental bond act, environmental advocates say a bigger concern is a dwindling staff at the state DEC.

The Associated Press reports that the state Assembly is holding hearings today on a proposed $5 billion environmental bond act. 

Columnist Will Doolittle writes that the tone of conversation in the Adirondacks is changing — evidenced by the Essx County Supervisors meeting with Adirondack Council Executive Director Willie Janeway and thanking him for supporting the NYCO Adirondack Land Swap. 

A staff report notes that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has launched an educational campaign at boat launching sites statewide to urge boaters to rid their boats of potentially harmful invasive species before and after visiting State Park marinas and boat launches.  

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that the state will give $1.5 million to help finish rebuilding the Upper Jay firehouse, which was heavily damaged by floodwaters caused by Tropical Storm Irene two years ago. 

Writer Dan Crane writes that good campsites in backcountry wilderness areas have become hard to come by. 

Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that the Adirondack Regional Airport has won a federal grant for $85,405 that will go toward terminal upgrades and infrastructure improvements. 

Writer Willie Janeway reflects back on his first 100 days as the Adirondack Council’s new executive director. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Tupper Lake village Trustee Rick Donah has proposed establishing a seven-member park commission to oversee activities and prevent conflicts that occur in the Municipal Park.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that Adirondack Council Executive Director Willie Janeway discussed the NYCO constitutional amendment and the new land classification with Essex County Supervisors at a recent meeting. He said he was looking for ways to compromise on issues of disagreement.

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Explorer is planning a conference on Sept. 26 to assess the  progress and unfinished business of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA).

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that EJ Noble Hospital will dissolve as a separate entity but will continue operations as Gouverneur Hospital under St. Lawrence Health System, which also will oversee Canton-Potsdam Hospital. 

A staff report notes that work to repair Great Camp Sagamore — the only Adirondack Great Camp dedicated to tourism and education — is being funded by private donations and a $238,650 grant awarded through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that Willie Janeway, the new leader of the Adirondack Council, met with the Essex County Board of Supervisors to discuss the NYCO land swap constitutional amendment (which is generally supported) and the classification of former Finch land. 

Writer Caitlin Stewart writes that there are a number of species often mistaken for Eurasian watermilfoil and encourages readers to report any possible sightings of the invasive species.  Caitlin Stewart is Conservation Educator at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD).

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Lake Placid village board has approved the reappointment of Treasurer Peggy Mousaw, plus an extra stipend, despite some concerns. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that the Adirondack Meat Company will be the first USDA-certified processing facility in the Adirondack Park and is expected to open before the end of the year. 

Reporter Kim Smith-Dedam reports that environmentalists have banded together in asking the Adirondack Park Agency to take their time in classifying new state land.