Reporter Jon Campbell reports that a small group of lawmakers is seeking to put a $5 billion environmental bond act before the state voters next year. The Nature Conservancy has gotten numerous calls asking how groups can help the measure come to fruition. 

Reporter Peter Crowley reports that Paul Smith’s College President John Mills is wishing the Roedel family well as they try to revive the Hotel Saranac, but he notes that in his experience, it’s a hard place to make money. 

Reporter Pete Klein reports that the Lake Pleasant Town Board has unanimously adopted a resolution that takes aim at APA staff and APA Counsel James Townsend for what it views as bias toward classifying most of the 46,000 acres of newly acquired state land as Wilderness rather than Wild Forest.

The New York State DEC and New York State DOT have announced that they will hold four public meetings in September about the management of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor. 

Reporter Michael Anich reports that Fulton County supervisors are supporting a state grant application seeking $1.5 million to bolster emergency radio communications between Fulton County and other Adirondack counties and state agencies.

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the city of Johnstown has decided not to be involved in a Fulton County capital project to pursue grant money to complete the city’s end of the ongoing Rail Trail project. 

Reporter Brian Mann interviews Chip Taylor, one of the country’s top butterfly experts, on the sharp decline of the Monarch butterfly population in the North Country, Vermont and Canada. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that Essex County lawmakers have approved a one-quarter percent increase in the county sales-tax rate that will take effect December 1. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that after years of running the Mount Pisgah Ski Center with village employees, the Saranac Lake village Board of Trustees has voted to give village Manager John Sweeney the authority to seek proposals for management of the ski center or the upcoming winter.

A staff report notes that state wildlife managers have made changes to the September Canada goose hunting season in New York in an effort to decrease the goose population in many areas across the state. 

The Press-Republican editorial board writes that although the Town of Plattsburgh wants to do a planning study to find new ways to access the river and lake waterfronts, with a focus on the recreational opportunities for residents, they should also focus on the direct and indirect economic benefits of having an easy path to the lake and river shores.

A staff report notes that  U.S. Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, will be holding mobile office hours at several locations across the 21st Congressional District this week.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the developers of the two major hotel projects that have been announced for Saranac Lake are now vying for millions of dollars in state economic development funding.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that while the Adirondack Park Agency is in the process of reviewing land use on four parcels purchased by the state at the end of last year, the classification of the new state land will have the most significant impact on the towns of Indian Lake, Minerva and Newcomb. 

A staff report notes that New York state Senator Mark Grisanti and Assembly Member Bob Sweeney introduced legislation to create a $5 billion Environmental Bond Act in New York state. An early draft earmarks $2 billion to protect water resources, $2 billion for infrastructure projects, and $1 billion for air quality and other programs.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise editorial board writes that the village of Tupper Lake has stopped trail work on the recreational trail in light of a recent controversy over the right of way on the spur and the potential need to replace 1,500 feet of train track.

Reporter Ted Booker reports that a $2 million regional tourism revolving loan fund has been established by the Development Authority of the North Country’s board of directors. 

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that people who leave New York for lower-tax states are taking billions of dollars with them, an indicator as to how New York state is faring against other states. 

Reporter James Odato reports that two towns between Utica and Syracuse are suing the state claiming the gaming deal Gov. Andrew Cuomo made with the Oneida Indian Nation is illegal.

A staff report notes that the state DEC will be conducting a study that will determine how much environmental contamination has spread into Brandy Brook and Lake Flower from a former coal gasification plant site in the village of Saranac Lake. 

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that local developer Dave Kenney has submitted his plans to build a Courtyard Marriott hotel on Canada Street in Lake George to the village Planning Board and the APA.

Reporter Pete Klein reports that Hamilton County District Attorney Marsha King Purdue has asked the county’s supervisors to consider changing her part-time status to full-time.

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the Fulton County Board of Supervisors has authorized seeking requests for proposals for an estimated $1.5 to $1.8 million energy efficiency project for county facilities. 

Reporter Sarah Harris reports that scientists are trying to determine if there is a link between the tile drainage used by farmers and the high levels of phosphorus pollution in Lake Champlain. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the state Environmental Facilities Corporation has approved $10 million in grants and low-interest loans for sewer-improvement projects in Lake Placid and Bloomingdale. 

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that Congressman Bill Owens reiterated his commitment to seek federal funding for controlling invasive species in Lake George during his visit to the area on Wednesday. 

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that North Elba town Supervisor Roby Politi gave an update on the transition of the Lake Placid ER into a 12-hour emergency room at Tuesday night’s town board meeting at the Saranac Lake Town House. 

Writer Dave Gibson writes that the APA members do not appear to have an organized understanding of the priorities of interpreting and applying their Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan to the classification of the former Finch timberlands.

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Park Agency plans to make a recommendation to the agency board next month regarding classification of three tracts of the former Finch timberlands in the eastern Adirondacks. 

Writer Robert M. Blais, Mayor of Lake George and Chairman of the S.A.V.E Committee, writes that the mandatory inspection and boat washing of all vessels going into the lake before they are launched must not contain any loopholes. 

Reporter Jacob Tierney reports that more than 100 north country projects have been submitted for consideration in this year’s Regional Economic Development Council funding contest.

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that construction of a portion of the Tupper Lake multi-use connector trail is on hold until Department of Transportation officials reach an agreement with the village concerning 1,500 feet of a railroad spur between the train station and the former Oval Wood Dish factory. 

Writer David Lombardo writes that U.S. Rep. Bill Owens will be visiting Lake George on Wednesday to review the efforts made to mitigate the damage of invasive species.

A staff report notes that licenses for the upcoming hunting, fishing and trapping seasons are now on sale at sporting outlets across New York. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that a vote on the Village of Keeseville’s plan for dissolution is headed to public referendum.
 

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that St. Lawrence County has gotten a step closer in it’s effort to to buy the former Jones & Laughlin Steel property in the town of Clifton. 

Reporter Michael Goot reports that the Minerva town Planning Board has approved an application by Verizon Wireless to construct a cellular phone tower on property located on Route 28N. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Saranac Lake village Board of Trustees has tabled a plan to share an emergency radio frequency with Franklin County. 

Reporter Phillip Sherotov reports that members of the Minerva Planning Board have unanimously approved Verizon’s application to construct a cell phone tower on private property in the town. 

Reporter Michael Hill reports that after two decades of slow, steady restoration work visitors can now get a sense of what Camp Santanoni was like when it was once a great camp during the Gilded Age.

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that plans for a long-anticipated chain hotel proposed for Canada Street in Lake George are set to be unveiled on the morning of August 15.  The village board recently approved zoning changes that paved the way for the six-story building to be proposed by local developer Dave Kenny.

Reporter James Odato reports that since the beginning of the Tappan Zee Bridge project, Hudson River environmental groups have been cut off from the traditional open dialogue they have had with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office has been blamed for the blackout.

Reporter Thomas Kaplan reports that a Siena College poll shows a small increase in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s popularity rating following a scandal-tarred legislative session.

A staff report notes that three new board members were introduced at the Adirondack Park Agency’s monthly meeting this week. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the APA’s upcoming decision on how to manage the former Finch timberlands will literally redraw the Adirondack map, redefining public recreation over a vast area of the North Country. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council is preparing to compete in the third round of the state Regional Economic Council Development grants competition, awarding $760 million in state funding and tax incentives across New York. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the Adirondack Park Agency will be gathering on August 8 and 9 in Ray Brook for a two-day meeting that will focus on the classification of the newly acquired Finch lands. 

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series Tournament will return to the Finger Lakes next year.  The tournament will be accompanied by a second annual Governor’s Challenge to follow last month’s rafting competition in the Adirondacks.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the biggest development project Saranac Lake has seen in years will be the first project to be reviewed under a complicated and yet-to-be-used planning process that takes the Zoning Board of Appeals out of the process and hands the review of the project to the planning board and the village Board of Trustees.
 

The Times Union editorial board writes that proof of just how badly Lake George needs the means to stop the spread of invasive species was shown on Sunday when two boats carrying milfoil and water chestnuts were launched into the lake.

Reporter Don Lehman reports that the organization leading the fight against Lake George’s Asian clam infestation plans to start treating the lake a bit earlier this fall, since last season’s treatment turned out to be very successful.
 

The Post-Star editorial board writes tha converting the rail line from Old Forge to Saranac Lake into a trail for bikers, snowmobilers and hikers is the best use of the rail corridor. 

Reporter Jon Campbell reports that the anti-corruption panel created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued subpoenas for documents, as it works toward releasing a preliminary report on public corruption and the state’s election system by year’s end.
 

A staff report notes that Elise M. Stefanik, a Willsboro businesswoman and former George W. Bush staffer will seek the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh in next year’s Congressional elections. 

Reporter Mike Lynch reports that the state Department of Environmental Conservation is asking for the public’s help with its annual summer turkey and ring-necked pheasant surveys. 

Reporter Fred Dicker reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning a "major course correction" when he seeks re-election next year, shifting from the left-of-center agenda that has dominated his actions this year to the political center.

Reporter Tom Woodman reports that a small group of reporters joined representatives from the DEC and conservancy for a hike to OK Slip Falls in late May. 

Reporter Phil Brown reports that a historic carry trail between Utowana Lake and the Marion River likely will be added to the Forest Preserve if the public approves an amendment to the state constitution to resolve a longstanding dispute over the ownership of more than two hundred parcels on Raquette Lake. 

Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that Bids for repairs to a City of Plattsburgh dam have come in way over estimates, causing the Common Council to reconsider its options. 

A staff report notes that a majority of the public comments on the classification of the former Finch timberlands has been pro-Wilderness.

Reporter Ted Booker reports that the threat of the western bean cutworm has increased this year for corn crops in Jefferson County.

A staff report notes that the state Department of Environmental Conservation is allowing the public to visit restricted parts of three Wildlife Management Areas in northern New York for two weeks this month. 

Reporters Chris Knight and Shaun Kittle report that the Saranac Lake Planning Board has scheduled a pre-application conference at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the village offices with Lake Flower Lodging, a company formed by developer Chris LaBarge.  This meeting falls the day before LaBarge is set to meet with the village Zoning Board of Appeals.
 

Reporter Melissa Sheketoff reports that officials with the North Country Chamber of Commerce say the first-ever three-day festival of outdoor adventure activities went above and beyond expectations. 

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the state wants to take over Fulton County’s longstanding effort to acquire rights-of-way needed to help complete the Rail Trail. 

A staff report notes that there is not much difference between Wilderness and Wild Forest classifications and that the newly acquired state lands around the Essex Chain of Lakes should be classified as Wild Forest which would make it possible for more people to access and enjoy these newly acquired lands, and for the towns and their residents to achieve commensurate economic benefits. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that now that the former Newton Falls paper mill is being liquidated, new questions are being asked about what comes next for towns where jobs are scarce and hope is wearing thin.

Reporter Gordon Block reports that military and civilian conservationists are tagging ash trees on post in an effort to raise awareness about the emerald ash borer.
 

Reporter Mike Lynch reports that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is looking to step up the fight against the emerald ash borer. 

A staff report notes the population per square mile in Hamilton County. 

A staff report notes that The Adirondack Nature Conservancy says it will provide $500,000 in grants to help businesses and communities developing new projects around the former Finch timberlands.

A staff report notes that the New York State DEC is asking pool owners to participate in the second annual Asian longhorned beetle swimming pool survey.

Reporter Pete Klein reports that the APA is considering seven classification options ranging from Wilderness to Wild Forest for the former Finch timberlands, but only two of the seven have received serious consideration from people who have attended the public hearings.
 

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that Secretary of State Cesar Perales joined state and local officials on Tuesday to unveil the final design of the Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George.

Reporter Wauneata Waller reports that the Bolton Landing Chamber of Commerce has announced it will be taking action to help educate visitors on protecting Lake George against the spread of invasive species. 

A staff report notes that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is asking New Yorkers to participate in surveys of wild turkeys and ring-necked pheasants.
 

Reporter Eric Anderson reports that plans unveiled on Tuesday for the new Charles R. Wood Lake George Environmental Park will include a 12-acre site with interactive exhibits, nature trails, playground area and a skateboard park. 

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that a coalition of environmental groups has filed suit over Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s loosening of environmental regulations for dairy farmers. 

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that the Queensbury Town Board is considering adopting a local law that would require a septic system inspection for any waterfront property in the town that changes ownership. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that an organization that works to mediate boundary water disputes between the US and Canada says a new study is needed to find ways to ease future flooding in Lake Champlain.