The Adirondacks have a blend of state and local laws, which are unique to the area. The Review Board works with a number of regulatory agencies, most importantly the Adirondack Park Agency and the NYS DEC, in representing the interests of local government and park residents.
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) was created in 1971 by the New York State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Park. The APA is a New York State governmental agency with an eleven-member board, and a staff consisting of 54 people. The Agency Board meets monthly to act on Park policy issues and permit applications under the APA’s Private Land Use and Development Plan. The Agency Board meetings take place the second Thursday and Friday of each month and are open to the public.
The APA administers the Adirondack Park Agency Act, the Freshwater Wetlands Act and the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act within the 6 million acre Adirondack Park Blue Line.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) was created on July 1, 1970 to combine in a single agency all state programs designed to protect and enhance the environment.
Its mission is “To conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being.”
DEC’s goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.
DEC is headed by a commissioner assisted by executive managers. The department has 24 divisions and offices and is further organized into bureaus to fulfill the functions and regulations established by Title 6 of New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (6NYCRR). Some programs are also governed by federal law.
For additional information see: www.dec.ny.gov
