Reporter Amanda Purcell reports that local control of proceeds from the sale of 20 megawatts of hydropower could be included in the review of a 2003 relicensing settlement between St. Lawrence County municipalities and the New York Power Authority to operate the St. Lawrence-FDR power dam in Massena. 

Reporter Ben Rowe reports  that a lack of transparency about the materials riding the rails through North Country neighborhoods is a concern for Essex County Emergency Services Battalion Coordinator Dan Benoit. 

The Times Union editorial board writes that the  federal government, with the involvement of entities like the Adirondack Council, must keep the wireless industry in check while clearing a path to a nationwide broadband public safety network.
 

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that U.S. and Canadian agencies have made an unprecedented joint call for tough new safety rules for train cars carrying crude oil.  The tankers in question travel through North Country towns where speed limits have recently been increased. 

Reporter Ted Booker reports that the Adirondack Council is dissatisfied that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget has largely withheld funding increases from environmental agencies during a time when the state is working toward a $2 billion surplus.
 

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that the plan for NYCO Minerals to test mine on state land has been called into question by environmental groups.
 

A staff report notes that the Lake George Association has announced it has received $10,000 from the Helen and Ritter Shumway Foundation. The funding will help support the LGA’s floating classroom program as well as asian clam management efforts. 

A staff report notes that the state has released a recreation management plan to increase public access to nearly 19,000 acres of conservation easement land in the Adirondacks formerly owned by International Paper.