Writers Dave Wick, executive director of the Lake George Park Commission, and Joseph Martens, DEC commissioner, write that the state and park commission are undertaking extensive efforts to combat invasive species right now, requiring a thorough analysis of each program put into place. 

Writer Dave Gibson, of the environmental advocacy group Adirondack Wild, writes that it is critical for the state to carefully manage new acquisitions, including controlling public use on lands and lakes. 

Reporter Don Lehman reports that while the Saratoga & North Creek Railway’s Polar Express ridership dropped in 2012, passenger traffic has been solid and freight traffic is coming next month.

Reporter Scott Donnelly reports that the snow train to North Creek has helped business owners prosper this winter.

A staff report notes that the Open Space Institute has gotten a conservation easement from a private landowner on 1,300 acres near Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. The easement permits passive recreational use, sustainable forestry action and  the future subdivision and modest single-family residential or limited commercial (for a bed and breakfast) development of two lots.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that because of a bacterial disease, the Essex County Fish Hatchery will have fewer brown and brook trout to stock this year.  

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that some environmental advocacy groups are unhappy that the state DEC is proposing some of the former Finch property be allowed to have motorized access, but a supporter says motorized uses ensure more people will get to see land that was purchased with state taxpayer money. 

A staff report notes that Sen. Betty Little of Queensbury has been reappointed as chairwoman of the state Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee for the 2013-14 legislative session.

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that the state DEC draft of incoming Adirondack lands includes leaving float plane access to three lakes in the Essex Chain. 

Reporter Phil Brown reports that Protect The Adirondacks is calling for much of the former Finch lands to be classified as Wilderness, denying motorized access to the newly purchased state land. 

Reporter Chris Morris reports that newly elected Assembly Member Dan Stec is optimistic about the direction of the state budget. 

Reporter Phil Brown reports that the state DEC is proposing to designate the Essex Chain of Lakes as Wild Forest, not Wilderness as environmental advocacy groups are requesting. A Wild Forest designation would allow motorized vehicle use on the land. Details of other proposals for other tracts are included in the report. 

The Associated Press reports that environmental advocacy groups are generally pleased with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget, especially because it contains an increase in the Environmental Protection Fund. 

The Post-Star editorial board writes that the governor needs to stop spending Environmental Protection Fund money on land purchases and use it to fight invasive species in state waterways. 

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that state officials are saying all options — including a mandatory inspection and washing program — are being discussed to keep invasive species out of Lake George. 

Reporter Sean Ewart reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal includes increased school aid, pension savings and a reduction in Medicaid spending by municipalities. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state is expected to soon take over the 1,000-acre Indian River tract, giving canoeists access to a remote 12-mile stretch of the Hudson River south of Newcomb. It’s unclear how soon the state could open up the Indian River tract, including the takeout, to public use. 

Writer Dick Beamish, founder of the Adirondack Explorer magazinee, writes that the old Adirondack Railroad corridor could be a major tourist destination for cyclists if the rails were removed. What are we waiting for?

Reporter Chris Knight reports that voters decided to dissolve the Village of Keesville. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Tupper Lake village board voted 4-1 last night to ask the state to reopen the Adirondack rail corridor’s unit management plan. 

Reporter Kate O’Connell reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed there will be a third round of funding through the state Regional Economic Development Councils. 

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal would add $19 million to the Environmental Protection Fund — the first proposed increase in three years.

The New York State Labor Department releases information that shows above 10% unemployment for many of the counties of the Adirondack Park. Of note: The numbers are not seasonally adjusted. 

Reporter james Odato reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s third executive budget may not have much extra aid for localities, which has been held flat for years. But the governor could be readying some relief for local governments, his top aides have assured various constituencies, although it’s unclear whether Cuomo will challenge the influential trial lawyers lobby with his plan.

Reporter Debra Groom reported that snowmobile clubs in Central New York will have less money for grooming and maintaining trails this year thanks to the nearly snowless winter last year. 

A staff reporter reported that the Adirondack Council has approved the selection of James T. Townsend of Rochester and North River to be the chief counsel of the Adirondack Park Agency.

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has developed a grant program to fund projects whose goal is to reduce acid rain pollution in the Adirondacks.

Reporter Amanda Purcell reports that the application guidelines for community grants from the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency have changed to more closely focus on job creation in community development and environmental improvement projects.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that the executive director of the Fund for Lake George, Eric Siy, criticized a decision by the state and Lake George Park Commission to continue the study of invasive species rather than require inspections now.

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that supervisors in Washington County are panning a plan by Warren County to crack down on access to Lake George to fight invasive species. 

A staff report notes that the Lake George Park Commission and the state DEC are making plans and working together to fight invasive species for the summer 2013 boating season.

Reporter Jimmy Vielkind reports that the final Legislative race of 2012 has been decided: Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk will sit as the state senator from the 46th state Senate District, winning by a margin of 19 votes.

A staff report notes that the DEC and Lake George Park Commission announced a number of actions they will take this summer on Lake George to combat the threat of invasive species. 

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that the state DEC and Lake George Park Commission said that there will not be a mandatory boat inspection program on the lake this year. However, the state will be providing $50,000 toward a voluntary inspection program and $200,000 for the Park Commission to combat invasives. 

Reporter Pat Bradley reports that the APA has approved a general permit to fast-track the installation of benthic mats to kill invasive species. 

Reporter Chrissy Prichard interviews APA Chairwoman Leilani “Lani” Ulrich about her first year in office. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the disagreement over what to do with the railroad corridor from Lake Placid to Utica — rehabilitate? Remove the tracks and make it a recreational trail? Some combination of the two?  

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that Senator Patty Ritchie of St. Lawrence County was one of four senators who represent the North Country that voted against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s gun control package. 

Reporter Ted Booker reports that business owners across the state are being surveyed about whether they think Albany’s new approach to economic development has been successful.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the APA has approved the Taylor Pond Complex Unit Management Plan, which calls for the construction of new hiking and snowmobile trails, trailhead parking areas, lean-tos and camping areas.

Writer Phil Brown writes that new lands acquired by the state will allow paddlers to paddle on seven miles of the Upper Hudson River, including several mild rapids. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the Tupper Lake Town Board has passed a resolution that supports the Adirondack Club and Resort and takes shots at the Sierra Club and Protect the Adirondacks, the two groups that, along with three neighbors to the project, are suing to challenge the APA’s decision.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that former Assembly Member Teresa Sayward looks back on her accomplishments in the Legislature, mentioning the two constitutional amendments she got passed: One on Hamilton County’s Township 40 and one for NYCO Minerals. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the APA voted to allow a general permit to allow for management of aquatic invasive species using benthic mats and hand harvesting, streamlining the review process. 

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that APA scientists are claiming that mats smothering Asian clams are damaging Lake George because they are killing native species. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that according to APA Executive Director Terry Martino, the first parcels of the former Finch Paper land bought by the state could be classified by the fall — and green groups want them designated as wilderness.

The Associated Press reports that more than 200,000 comments have been collected by the state Department of Environmental Conservation regarding hydrofracking.

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for a revamping of state tourism marketing through a regional competition, getting rid of the current county-by-county strategy.

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that the Americade trade show has been extended to include two full weekends and the week of the rally June 1-8. 

Report Sean Ewart reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his State of the State address, promised a number of programs that would bring economic development to upstate.  

Reporter Chris Morris reports that Adirondack officials were excited to hear of the possibility of a state sponsored rafting and paddling competition in the Adirondacks this year — an anchor event with the goal of re-exposing the Adirondacks to people who haven’t visited. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a category for politicians and government employees, to which state Sen. Betty Little said, "I look forward to recruiting a team of colleagues to compete in the Adirondack whitewater rafting challenge." 

A staff report notes that the Massena Terminal Railroad has signed its contract to officially move forward with improvements including significant rail improvements along its main line and yard tracks to safely accommodate unit ore trains for the Alcoa West Plant.

The Associated Press reports that three Assembly members have asked for the fracking comment period to be suspended until the state’s health review is completed and proposed regulations are revised.

Writer Ernest Hohmeyer writes that the next step for Gov. Andrew Cuomo is to create a true Adirondack Park, which may mean creating a singular regulatory, economic and marketing focus with state sanction and local buy-in.

The Times Union editorial board writes that it’s time for the state to really help local governments and schools that are struggling with state and federal mandates and still keeping within the tax cap. The governor needs to push the Legislature, harder than ever, to deliver meaningful mandate relief.

Reporter Brian Mann asks whether northern New York’s incredible natural beauty is being marketed as effectively as other tourist destinations. The answer, not surprisingly, is no.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that Lake George Park Commission and a host of other groups are pleading with Gov. Andrew Cuomo to get behind a proposal to require boats to be inspected for invasive species before being launched into Lake George. 

Writer Bernard Melewski — an environmental attorney in Altamont (Albany County) — writes that the clear-cut proposal from the Adirondack Park Agency would result in ‘hundreds of acres [in the Adirondacks] may be cut at a time by large landowners without any review by the commissioners of the Adirondack Park Agency or public notice and comment."

Letter writer Donald Wharton of South Glens Falls writes that widespread clear-cutting would be devastating to Adirondack wildlife and the APA’s proposal should not be passed.

The Post-Star editorial board offers a boo to the state’s Mandate Relief Council for not actually offering much mandate relief.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state has acquired the 18,000 Essex Chain of Lakes tract from the Nature Conservancy for $12.3 million.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that new Assembly Member Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) says his priorities in the Assembly are the economy, job market and tax burden in the state and in his district. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the APA is delaying consideration of a proposal to relax some clear-cutting rules following opposition from environmental advocacy groups. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Ernst family has donated a conservation easement to their 12,000-acre preserve in North Hudson to the Nature Conservancy. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state has taken possession of the Essex Chain of Lakes tract in the Adirondacks, closing on the property on Dec. 21 at a cost of $12 million.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is looking into how snowmobile clubs are using public funds meant to pay for trail grooming and maintenance.

Reporter Christina Scanlon reports that with the new snowfall, businesses are seeing an increase in customers on snowmobiles. 

Writer Dave Gibson, of the environmental advocacy group Adirondack Wild, reviews the work on and his concerns over the new community connector snowmobile trail Moose River Plains Road (Limekiln-Cedar River Road) and Raquette Lake.

Reporter Danny Hakim reports that the New York State Health Department has analyzed hydrofracking and has determined that it can be conducted safely in New York. The Times received a copy from an expert who believed the analysis should not be kept secret. 

Reporter Don Lehman reports that the snowmobile trails in Warren and Washington counties have been busy, and the low temperatures should cause area lakes to ice over.

Letter writer Robert Hallman, deputy secretary for energy and the environment, writes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a staunch protector of the Environmental Protection Fund.

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has awarded $175,000 to the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency to assess removal of blighted buildings at the former Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. site in Star Lake — a step toward the eventual reclamation of the site.

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that Dan Stec was sworn in as the new Assembly Member for the 114th Assembly District. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo stopped at the Daily Enterprise to discuss tourism and other topics while vacationing in the Adirondacks.

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that the number 2 story of 2012 for the Post-Star was the battle against invasive species in Lake George.