5 Things You Need to Know Today | January Adirondack News
Thursday, Janaury 25, 2018
By: Dana Mancini - Adirondack Council Advocacy and Outreach Assistant
Adirondack 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.
THIS JUST IN: State Compromise Protects Boreas as Wilderness
The Adirondack Park Agency is considering a compromise that would protect the Boreas Ponds as “forever wild” Adirondack Wilderness, along with other source waters of the Hudson River in the heart of the Adirondacks. The plan would also provide economic benefits to gateway communities. The Park Agency released the compromise plan on Thursday, for consideration at a special meeting scheduled for Feb. 1 and 2. The recommendation must first be approved by the agency’s board and then by the Governor.
Adirondack Park Agency Approves Plan for Frontier Town
At its January meeting, the Adirondack Park Agency approved a plan for a campground, day use and equestrian area at the old Frontier Town property located in North Hudson (Exit 29 on the Adirondack Northway). The Council is urging the Agency to ensure nearby wetlands, protected streams and "forever wild" lands and those to be accessed from this "recreational hub" are not negatively impacted. Construction for the project will take about six months.
Buffett Pulls Used Train Cars Out of the Adirondacks
After Adirondack Council citizen advocates, Governor Cuomo and local communities asked, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway companies agreed to remove all their used oil trains out of the Adirondacks and made a commitment to never store them in the Park again.
Governor Cuomo Introduces Budget Plan
On January 16, Governor Cuomo presented his 2018-2019 budget plan. This year, lawmakers must pass a budget that accounts for the $4.4 billion deficit the state is facing. For the third year in a row, the Governor included $300 million for the Environmental Protection Fund, continued distribution of $2.5 billion for Clean Water Infrastructure Act and a new $65 million to combat algal blooms in upstate lakes — including Lake Champlain.
Appeals Court Hears Old Mountain Road case
In mid-January, the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Albany heard the Old Mountain Road case. According to the State of New York and the Adirondack Council, the road was abandoned and made part of the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area, therefore motorized recreation is not allowed. The Town of North Elba, which brought the lawsuit, believes the road still belongs to the town and should remain open to motor vehicles and other motorized recreation.
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