ADK Review Board News
- NORTH HUDSON RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT AS FRONTIER TOWN SALE ENTERS LITIGATION – Adirondack Journal ( Warrensburg, NY) Website
Reporter Pete DeMola reports that residents of North Hudson have started to come forward in support of Town Supervisor Ronald Moore’s decision to acquire the former Frontier Town theme park property.
- 2014 LEGISLATIVE SESSION LEAVES SOME ITEMS UNDONE – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders agreed on three major items at the close of the legislative session. But they also left a lot of unfinished business at the table.
- NYS AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL LEGISLATION PASSED – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Peter Bauer, Executive Director of Protect the Adirondacks, writes that legislation has been passed that will prohibit the transport of aquatic invasive species in the state of New York.
- BILL ALLOWING LARGER ATVS ON NY TRAILS IS REJECTED – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
The Associated Press reports that state lawmakers have rejected a proposal to allow larger off-road vehicles on New York’s public trails.
- DEC READIES ESSEX CHAIN OF LAKES FOR VISITORS – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state is expecting a large number of visitors this summer to the new tract of Forest Preserve in the central Adirondacks.
- NY PROPOSES PLAN FOR NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
The Associated Press reports that the state Department of Environmental Conservation has released a plan for the Adirondack segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail.
- LAWMAKERS CONFIRM BOOTH TO APA BOARD, LACK TO ORDA – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Brian Mann reports that Albany lawmakers have approved the appointment of a number of key leaders to some Adirondack organizations.
- USDA REVIEWING TRI-TOWN PACKING SITUATION – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a statement that it is reviewing the situation at Tri-Town Packing, which no longer has a USDA-certified inspection business because of disputes with inspectors and regulatory demands.
- HUNT NAMED AS EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT’S NORTH COUNTRY DIRECTOR – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the Empire State Development Corp. has named Stephen M. Hunt II, a former deputy chief of staff for Rep. William L. Owens, as its north country regional director.
- U.S.D.A. CERTIFICATION SHUT DOWN AT TRI-TOWN PACKING – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
A staff report notes that Tri-Town Packing in St. Lawrence County has announced that it will no longer provide U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified inspection services, a move that will throw into disarray the North Country meat market.
- COMMENTS SOUGHT ON SNOWMOBILE CONNECTOR, NEW STATE LANDS – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that increased opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Adirondacks would be available under two proposed plans that were released today for public review and comment.
- DEC SEEKS COMMENTS ON DRAFT NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL PLAN – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has released a revised draft Adirondack Park Trail Plan for the North Country National Scenic Trail in an effort to expand the national trail system across the northern U.S.
- TOWN WAITS ON ZONING CHANGES – Post-Star ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
Reporter Maury Thompson reports that the Queensbury Town Board held a public hearing but did not take action on a package of proposed zoning changes, including clarification of the definition of amusement center, as requested by Ralph Macchio Sr., who is seeking to put a zip line ride on French Mountain.
- APA APPROVES GOODMAN MOUNTAIN TRAIL – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state Adirondack Park Agency has approved a plan to officially designate a hiking trail up a Tupper Lake mountain named for a slain civil rights worker.
- NYCO AMENDMENT COMMENTARY: WE NEED A REGIONAL MEMORY – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Pete Nelson writes that the aftermath of the NYCO Amendment should be documented in preparation for fighting future battles against the corporate world, should they seek to compromise Forever Wild land for the benefit of private commercial interest.
- ESSEX CHAIN WILL OPEN FOR CAMPING JULY 1 – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state Department of Environmental Conservation plans to open a series of primitive campsites to the public in the new 7,000-acre Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area by July 1.
- LAKE GEORGE BOAT CHECKS REQUIRED – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Mary Esch reports that Lake George is the first lake in the East to require inspections of every boat and trailer to ensure that they are clear of aquatic invasive species.
- APA: NYCO MAY DRILL ON FOREST PRESERVE TRACT – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state Adirondack Park Agency has approved a controversial proposal that will allow NYCO Minerals to conduct exploratory drilling on state Forest Preserve land.
- STEFANIK, DOHENY TRADE BARBS, SHARE POLICIES IN WATERTOWN DEBATE – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Sarah Harris reports that Republican Congressional candidates Matt Doheny and Elise Stefanik faced off at a debate in Watertown on June 12.
- APA PANEL VOTES TO ALLOW NYCO DRILLING IN WILDERNESS – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Reporter Phil Brown reports that the Adirondack Park Agency’s State Land Committee voted unanimously to allow NYCO Minerals to conduct exploratory drilling in the Jay Mountain Wilderness on a parcel known as Lot 8.
- FRED MONROE: MAYBE IT’S TIME TO RAISE THE SALES TAX BY 1% – The Chronicle ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
Reporter David Cederstrom reports that Town of Chester Supervisor Fred Monroe has suggested increasing sales tax in lieu of going to an occupancy tax increase in order to help fund the Glens Falls Civic Center.
- DEC SEEKS COMMENTS ON ADIRONDACK FOOTHILLS MANAGEMENT – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that the public is invited to submit comments for a draft Adirondack Foothill unit management plan that will guide management of six state forests, 21 detached parcels of Forest Preserve and one Office of General Services parcel close to but outside the southwest boundary of the Adirondack Park.
- NEW DEAL MAY MEAN A NEW BEGINNING FOR J&L SITE – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Zach Hirsch reports that local officials and the state’s top environmental official met Tuesday to celebrate what they believe will be a new beginning for the former Jones and Laughlin Steel plant in southern St. Lawrence County.
- NEIL WOODWORTH: ADK URGES STATE TO COMPLY WITH LAWS – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Neil Woodworth, executive director and Counsel of the Adirondack Mountain Club, writes that ADK strongly disagrees with the DEC’s current position that exploratory drilling can be legally authorized simply by approval of an amendment of the Jay Mountain Wilderness Unit Management Plan and by issuance of of a Temporary Revocable Permit..
- LAMB PICKED FOR ORDA BOARD – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Matthew Turner reports that Joe Lamb is the North Elba Town Council’s new choice for the state Olympic Regional Development Authority board.
- APA TAKES UP DISPUTED JAY MINING PLAN – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Adirondack Park Agency will consider a controversial proposal to amend the management plan for the Jay Mountain Wilderness area this week.
- PETER BAUER: APRAP UPDATE MISDIAGNOSES ISSUES (Commentary) – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Peter Bauer, executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, writes that while the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project Update has some useful information, the project critically misdiagnoses the problems facing the Adirondack Park and puts Park leaders on a course to chase false solutions.
- PARK AGENCY TAKES UP DISPUTED JAY MINING PLAN – North Country Public Radio ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the APA will be considering the proposal to amend a land management plan to allow NYCO Minerals to test drill for wollastonite deposits on a parcel of Forest Preserve land.
- DOHENY’S ‘TRUTH’ IS WRONG ABOUT ENTERPRISE – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
The Adirondack Enterprise editorial board addresses the validity of statements used in a television ad for Matt Doheny’s Congress campaign, which incorrectly attributed an Enterprise blogger’s opinions to the paper itself.
- NEW REGS FIGHT INVASIVES – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
A staff report notes that new DEC rules requiring boaters to remove all visible plant and animal materials from boats, trailers and associated equipment are now in effect The new rules are part of an aggressive effort to prevent invasive species from entering and damaging water bodies in New York.
- ADIRONDACK POPULATION AGING, DECLINING – The Leader-Herald ( Gloversville, NY) Website
Reporter Arthur Cleveland reports that the population of the Adirondack State Park is aging and falling, according to a recent study by the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project, and few young families are sticking around.
- DOHENY TOURS TUPPER LAKE WITH VILLAGE OFFICIALS – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Tupper Lake Mayor Paul Maroun guided Matt Doheny, Republican candidate for congress through the village on Wednesday.
- AQUATIC INVASIVES VOLUNTEER TRAINING PLANNED – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) will host its annual volunteer training sessions in aquatic invasive plant identification and survey techniques on June 24th at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing and June 26th at Paul Smith’s College.
- NEW BOAT LAUNCH OPENS – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
A staff report notes that a new New York State Department of Environmental Conservation boat launch facility is now open on Round Lake.
- PROTECT CALLS FOR WILDERNESS AREA IN SOUTHERN ADIRONDACKS – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Phil Brown writes that Protect the Adirondacks is urging the state to create a 12,850-acre West Stony Creek Wilderness in the southern Adirondacks.
- MCKENNA BACKS OUT OF ORDA BOARD APPOINTMENT – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Matthew Turner reports that James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, stepped down from his appointment to the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s board after a state commission raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
- FORMER FRONTIER TOWN SOLD TO TOWN OF NORTH HUDSON – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Matthew Turner reports that the Essex County Board of Supervisors approved the sale of the former Frontier Town to the town of North Hudson Tuesday after meeting for nearly an hour to discuss it in a closed-door executive session.
- FLOOD ZONE STUDY MOVES FORWARD – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that after several months during which there seemed to be little movement on a proposed 90-room hotel planned for the Lake Flower shoreline, the project is starting to stir again.
- REGULATIONS ON INVASIVE SPECIES IN EFFECT AT BOAT LAUNCHES – WAMC ( Albany, NY) Website
Reporter Pat Bradley reports that new regulations have gone into effect in New York State requiring boats at DEC boat launches be clear of any plant or animal matter before entering the water.
- NY GOVERNOR: 12 BUSINESSES PART OF NO-TAX PROGRAM – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
The Associated Press reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the first round of businesses that will take advantage of the Start-Up New York program that gives employers and their employees 10 years of tax-free living if they locate on or near college campuses.
- AARON WOOLF SPEAKS OF ENTHUSIASM FOR TOURISM, MANUFACTURING IN NORTH COUNTRY – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
Reporter Daniel Flatley reports that Democratic congressional candidate Aaron G. Woolf spoke Tuesday of his enthusiasm for using the district’s natural beauty to bring both tourism and manufacturing to the north country.
- KILROY NAMED H’TOWN SUPER – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Harrietstown Town Council has voted to temporarily appoint Mike Kilroy to the position of supervisor until the election in November.
- REPUBLICAN SUPER PAC ATTACKS DOHENY – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Matthew Turner reports that American Crossroads, a Karl Rove-backed super PAC, recently purchased $242,000 worth of attack ads against Republican Congress candidate Matt Doheny which will air in the Albany, Watertown and Plattsburgh media markets beginning June 3.
- STUDY SHOWS EPA STANDARDS COULD MAKE NEW YORK CLEANER – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
Reporter Ted Booker reports that a recent study shows that recently announced federal guidelines to reduce carbon dioxide emissions could result in a cleaner New York by reducing other harmful air pollutants from power plants.
- DEC LAUNCHES NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION MOBILE APP – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has launched a new outdoor recreation tool – The New York Fish & Wildlife App.
- LAKE PLACID COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STILL IN WORKS – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Matthew Turner reports that the Lake Placid-North Elba comprehensive plan is still in the works, and its public comment period is still open.
- OIL TRAINS CARRY ENVIRONMENTAL RISK – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that the Adirondack Council has compiled an online photo essay documenting several worn out railroad crossings on the railroad line along Lake Champlain and sent the essay along with their concerns to the EPA, stating that oil transport along Lake Champlain is cause for growing environmental concern.
- HARRIETSTOWN BOARD TO BRING IN INTERIM SUPERVISOR – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Harrietstown Town Council appears to have broken its deadlock over how to handle its supervisor vacancy.