5 Things You Need to Know | March ADK Conservation News
By: Dana Mancini - Adirondack Council Advocacy and Outreach Assistant
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Adirondack Conservation News is a collection of the most current events taking place in New York’s Adirondack Park, a unique national treasure and legacy we inherited over 100 years ago, that we have to protect for future generations. Adirondack News aims to highlight both threats and opportunities concerning the Park’s ecological integrity, wild character and community vibrancy.
Governor Cuomo approves the Boreas Ponds classification package
Governor Cuomo has signed the compromise recommended to him by the Adirondack Park Agency in January. The compromise will include 11,000 acres managed as Wilderness, while 9,000 acres will be managed as Wild Forest. The decision comes after two years of intense debate between different stakeholder groups and the state. Read our press release here.
The Senate and Assembly introduce their One-House Budgets
With the April 1 budget deadline approaching, the Senate and the Assembly have released their one-house budgets in preparation for budget discussions. Both houses have rejected the Governor's proposal to move to a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes for the Forest Preserve payments to communities in place of the current ‘ad valorem’ system. Other items being discussed in negotiations include the Empire Forest for the Future Initiative, the Environmental Protection Fund and water infrastructure funding.
NYS Appellate Court make final decision on Old Mountain Road Case
Unfortunately, the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court in Albany overturned a decision to close Old Mountain Road to vehicle traffic, stating that the road had not been legally abandoned. It been closed to motor vehicles since 2015 when then-Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens vacated an earlier decision. The Towns of North Elba and Keene can now decide how to use the road, including opening it to snowmobiles or other motorized use.
Adirondack Park Agency to amend State Land Master Plan for rail-trail approval
At its March board meeting, the Adirondack Park Agency preliminarily approved an amendment to the State Land Master Plan that will allow the state to move forward with a plan to create a rail trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake. The agency will be hosting three public comment hearings where people will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.
Community forums used to advance broadband coverage in the North Country
The Town of Johnsburg held a community forum earlier this month with the goal of better understanding the rollout of the Governors broadband plan. The forum included elected state and local officials, local residents, internet service providers, and the state architects of the program. The forum allowed the community to become the first in the state to learn the specifics of the program and how their community will receive their service and by which providers.
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