Other Power Driven Mobility Devices
A Voice For Balance Between Environmental Protection & Accessibility
The Adirondack Council calls for the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) to reconsider its proposed changes to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (SLMP) that could open the door for new and increased motorized vehicle access in Wilderness. The SLMP has guided the management of the Forest Preserve for 50 years and states, "the protection and preservation of the natural resources of the state lands within the Park must be paramount."
Specifically, the APA is proposing to:
- Add a definition for “other power-driven mobility devices” (OPDMDs) that includes motorized golf carts, ATVs, UTVs, e·bikes, and even trucks.
- Change the definition of “motor vehicle” so that OPDMDs are not considered motor vehicles under the SLMP.
These two changes would allow motor vehicles on all types of state land, including Wilderness, Primitive, and Canoe areas, lands that the APA has already deemed the most ecologically sensitive areas in the Park and said must be free from motor vehicles. This creates a gray area regarding where OPDMD access is both safe and legal, a significant shift from current policy and diverging from Federal Wilderness policy. Powered wheelchairs designed to assist people with disabilities are allowed on all lands in the Park without a permit.
We believe the state can ensure access for people with disabilities AND wilderness protection, and we urge the state to carefully balance the two.
The Agency’s goal of incorporating Americans with Disabilities Act language is a step in the right direction, and it should be balanced with the protection of ecologically sensitive state lands. A clear policy is needed—one that designates specific places and lands, such as campgrounds, day-use areas, and Wild Forests, where each type of OPDMD can be used to improve accessibility while also ensuring that Wilderness areas remain free from motorized vehicles. A policy from the state land manager, the DEC, would ensure prioritization of both accessibility and the protection of natural resources. The DEC is actively working to improve accessibility information on state lands, and other agencies are taking steps to improve accessibility as well.
For 50 years, the Council has worked to protect the wild character of the Adirondacks while also supporting ways for more people to experience this incredible place. Thoughtful planning can ensure the Park remains both accessible and truly wild.
