Landscape of Hope | 2020-2021 - Adirondack Council
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Landscape of Hope | 2020–2021
Reflecting on 2020 and Looking Ahead
Dear Members and Friends, One of those problems that people of In 2020, you and our partners
all backgrounds and beliefs continue to accomplished a great deal on behalf of
Please accept our sincere thanks for work on and care about is the overuse the ecological integrity, wild character,
everything you have done to help of and wear and tear on our most and people of the Adirondacks.
preserve the Adirondack Park. This is a popular wilderness lands and waters.
vast landscape filled with fragile niches Governor Cuomo, the Department Thank You,
of solace and refuge. In the face of a of Environmental Conservation and
global pandemic, economic challenges, the state Legislature responded by
systemic racism, polarizing politics, and recognizing the problem, identifying
climate change crises, the Park has recommended changes in management, William C. Janeway
become more important than ever. and by providing additional funding.
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
Executive Director
The progress addressing these Part of the money to pay for these
crises in the past few months has changes will come from the $300 Whitney Industries has listed 36,000 acres
been encouraging. That’s because million Environmental Protection in Long Lake for sale. It is now possible to
people who love the Adirondacks Fund; which will aid both wilderness permanently protect these lands and waters. The
CONTENTS
pulled together. Rather than trying preservation and the economy. Adirondack Council looks forward to working with
to shut out the rest of the world, the colleagues in the land trust community and state
Adirondacks remained a “Landscape Please enjoy this annual review of and local officials to secure the future protection
of Hope” open to all. The Park remains elected and appointed officials’ actions of these lands, listed as priorities in our 2020
a place where people come together affecting the Adirondack Park’s clean
to solve problems and work to make water and clean air, wildlands, and 2 Letter from the Executive Director VISION research series and in the NYS Open
Space Conservation Plan.
the Adirondacks more welcoming and communities over the last 12 months.
inclusive – even if we have to socially This is the only comprehensive account William C. Janeway 5 2020 Report Card
distance from one another for a while. of the state of the Park and includes a Executive Director
2020 “report card” and 2021 priorities.
6 The Governor
@WillieJaneway
8 State Legislature
11 The Courts
Board of Directors Ethan Friedman
Rush Holt
Staff Members Mary Godnick
Marketing and Communications Associate
Ongoing Project
Consultants
12 Attorney General
Chair Robert J. Kafin William C. Janeway
13
Julia Goren
Michael A. Bettmann, M.D. Lee Keet Executive Director Adirondack VISION Project Director Adirondack VISION Project Tip of the Hat
Eric W. Lawson Rocci Aguirre Tom Woodman
Vice-Chairs Racey Henderson
Sarah C. Hatfield Jerome Page Deputy Director and Director of Conservation
14 Preserve Whitney!
p.14
Essex Farm Institute Program Director Clean Water Initiative
Laurel Skarbinski Justin Potter David J. Miller
Jackie Bowen Jess Kelley
John Reschovsky
Treasurer
Daniel J. Ryterband
Brian Ruder
Kate Russell
Conservation Associate
Elaine Burke
Development Assistant
Legal Counsel
Karyn A. Booth, Esq. 16 Local Government
Casey Marvell Thompson Hine LLP
Secretary
Liza Cowan
Douglas Schultz
Noah Shaw
Director of Operations
Kevin Chlad
Policy Fellow
Ryan Nerp
Phil Gitlen, Esq.
Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
18 Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Our Mission
Douglas Stewart Director of Government Relations
Kurt Abrahamson
Emily M. Bateson
Curtis R. Welling
Ethan Winter
Caroline Dodd *
Seasonal Research Associate
Deborah J. Pastore
Scott B. Goldie, Esq.
Conboy, McKay, Bachman, and Kendall LLP
21 Adirondack Park Agency
The mission of the Adirondack Council is to ensure the
Mary Bijur Seasonal Research Associate
David E. Bronston Diane Fish
Development Director
John F. Sheehan
Matthew Melewski, Esq.,
The Boutique Firm
23 Federal Government ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack
Charles D. Canham, Ph.D. Senior Advisor
Director of Communications Park for current and future generations.
Ann E. Carmel
Georgina Cullman, Ph.D.
J. A. Tyler Frakes
Membership Director
Charlotte Staats *
Bernard Melewski, Esq.
J. Michael Naughton, Esq.
25 Other Agencies
Thomas Curley Executive and Program Assistant
Written and Edited by Adirondack Council Staff
Philip R. Forlenza Lisa M. Genier
Program Analyst * Clarence Petty Intern
Young/Sommer
26 Awards View online at: AdirondackCouncil.org
Copyright 2020 - Adirondack Council
27 2021 Priorities Cover: Lake George from Cat Mountain PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
2 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 3
2020
ABOUT REPORT
THE PARK CARD
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
The Adirondack Park is the world’s largest intact temperate deciduous
forest. It is also the largest park in the contiguous United States. It contains
six million acres (9,300 square miles), covers one-fifth of New York State Elected and appointed government leaders made decisions late in 2019
and is equal in size to neighboring Vermont. The Adirondack Park
is nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park. and in 2020 that affected the legacy of the Adirondacks. Here is a
More than half of the Adirondack Park is private land, devoted report on the 2020 State of the Park priorities (issued Sept. 2019).
principally to hamlets, forestry, agriculture, and open-space
recreation. Nearly 775,000 acres are protected
from development by conservation easements Defend the East’s Protect Clean Water and Support Working Forests
held by the state or private organizations. The Greatest Wilderness Reduce Road Salt Pollution and Farms
Park is home for 130,000 permanent and 200,000
The Governor recognized the problem The state provided a total of $1 billion The state recognized the need for but
seasonal residents in 120 hamlets and 9 villages.
of overuse. The state dedicated more this year for clean water grants to did not significantly improve incentives,
The Park hosts 12.4 million visitors yearly.
funding, reassigned a few Forest Rangers, communities; provided a larger grant regulations, funding, or policies to help the
Nearly half of the Park is publicly owned and embraced recommendations to better for Lake George; and the Senate and Park’s ecologically sustainable, climate-
Forest Preserve, protected as “Forever preserve world-class wildlands, protecting Assembly passed bi-partisan legislation friendly working forests and farms. The state
Wild” by the NYS Constitution since visitor safety, natural resources, and the to establish a state task force to address authorized $2.5m for climate-resilient farms,
1894. About 1.1 million acres of these visitor’s opportunity for a wilderness road salt pollution and keep roads safe. again, but none for the Adirondack Park.
public lands are protected as Wilderness, experience. A poorly designed amendment
where non-mechanized recreation may be to constitutional protections for “Forever Strengthen the Improve Community
enjoyed. Most of the public land (more Wild” on Cathead Mt. was set aside.
Adirondack Park Agency Communications
than 1.4 million acres) is Wild Forest,
The Governor and Senate get credit for The state did not require telecom
where motorized uses are permitted on State: Combat Climate agreeing on a new, improved full slate companies to provide universal
designated waters, roads and trails. Change and Acid Rain of nominees to the APA board, including broadband access in the Park; or
Plants and wildlife abound in the Park. Old New York dedicated new funds and new and returning board members improve cell coverage with incentives for
growth forests cover more than 100,000 staff for and started to execute the with needed expertise. However, while “substantially invisible” infrastructure in
acres of public land. The western and Climate Leadership and Community the Agency can function, it has not communities and on major highways.
southern Adirondacks are gentle landscapes Protection Act; fought acid rain in court; indicated that it is stronger and remains
of hills, lakes, wetlands, ponds, and streams. In promoted clean energy and closed the underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped Expand
the northeast are the forty-six High Peaks. Forty- state’s last coal-fired power plant. with outdated conservation tools.
Conservation Funding
three of them rise above 4,000 feet and 11 have
The state authorized expanded funding
alpine summits that rise above the timberline. Federal: Combat Climate Update Invasive
including a $3-billion “Restore Mother
The Adirondacks include the headwaters of Change and Acid Rain Species Protections Nature Bond Act” and a $300 million
five major drainage basins. Lake Champlain and The Trump administration policy changes The state extended, but did not strengthen, Environmental Protection Fund together
the Hudson, Black, St. Lawrence, and Mohawk Rivers all MAP KEY at the Environmental Protection Agency the law against the transport of invasive protecting pure water, air, wildlife,
draw water from the Adirondack Park. Within the Park are rolled back progress combating climate species; advocates have another year to and wildlands, and addressing climate
more than 2,800 lakes and ponds, and more than 1,500 miles Public Forest Preserve change and acid rain. The Adirondack persuade state leaders to require that change, overuse and pollution. In an
of rivers, fed by an estimated 30,000 miles of brooks and streams. Council and others successfully challenged boats and trailers be decontaminated historic action, Congress fully funded the
Private Land
some of these changes in court. at state inspection stations prior to Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Through public education and advocacy for the protection State Conservation Easement launch in Adirondack waters.
of the Park’s ecological integrity and wild character, the
Adirondack Council advises public and private policymakers Waterbodies
on ways to safeguard this great expanse of open space.
Select Communities
4 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 5
Great Plan, Who’s Says Goodbye, Good Cleaning Up
THE Doing the Work?
Despite advances in planning and policy
objectives, the Governor’s commitment
Riddance to Coal
Governor Cuomo closed the last coal-fired
power plant in New York in March, retiring
the Queen
The Governor added $9.4 million to a
GOVERNOR
$3-million Water Infrastructure Improvement
to controlling overuse and overcrowding Somerset Station on the shore of Lake Act grant to the Village of Lake George, plus
on the Forest Preserve can only come Ontario in Barker, Niagara County. The a Department of Environmental Conservation
to fruition through the deployment 675-megawatt plant was opened by New $2.5-million Water Quality Improvement
of adequate personnel. So far, he has York State Electric & Gas Corp. in 1983. Project grant, bringing the total state
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
rearranged the Forest Ranger force, but The Town of Somerset plans a park on part investment to $14.9 million in a new sewage
has not added the positions needed to of the 1,800-acre parcel. Coal-fired power treatment system. The remaining cost of the
Steady at pressures on the state budget this year. Given for planning how the state will comply with carry out their work. More Forest Rangers, plants are a primary source of acid rain. project will be covered by a zero-interest loan
its potential for local economic stimulation, the requirements of the Climate Leadership planners, land managers, trail crews, from the Environmental Facilities Corporation.
the Helm scientists, and engineers are still needed.
the Adirondack Council urges the Governor and Community Protection Act of 2019. The Seeking Diversity in This investment will result in a total savings
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s handling of the and Legislature to pass and present a new Act, which is the most ambitious climate law to village taxpayers of nearly $25 million.
Coronavirus pandemic was a master
Troubled Times
bond to the voters as soon as possible. in the country, requires New York to reduce Park Agency Nominees
class in public administration. He calmly economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions For the second year in a row, the final
confronted the reality of
Slate Much Improved budget included $250,000 for the
Overuse Task Force: by 40 percent by 2030, and by at least 85
a wave of infections that percent by 2050 (based on 1990 levels). In June, the Governor nominated a full Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI), which
flooded into New York Strong Actions Needed slate of candidates for the Adirondack seeks to make the Adirondack Park a
City from Europe, while In November 2019, Governor Cuomo and the Park Agency (APA) board that included more welcoming, diverse, equitable, and
repeating a message of
Investing in individuals with experience in environmental just place for visitors and residents alike.
Department of Environmental Conservation
unity and perseverance. (DEC) created a task force to develop the Future law, science, planning, and wilderness Nicole Hylton-Patterson of the Bronx was
His daily briefings were a plans to address the ecological, public In his proposed budget, the Governor did preservation. Nominated and confirmed by hired in 2019 as the ADI’s first executive
reassuring source of calm safety, and community issues associated not seek to reduce the amount committed the Senate were environmental scientist director. She works for the Adirondack
for listeners from coast with overuse on the Park’s most popular to environmental projects through the Zoe Smith, former Supervisor for the Town North Country Association, a not-for-profit
to coast, which stood in CUOMO trails. Released in June 2020, the group’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). of Fine Mark Hall, Supervisor for the Town community- and economic-development
stark contrast to voices in initial report called for limits in trail and In a difficult state budget year, the EPF of Johnsburg Andrea Hogan, and retired organization, and is also supported by a
Washington. Overall, he led the state from Central New York Regional Director for the team of volunteers. When Hylton-Patterson Beachgoers are greeted with a warning of
parking capacity (beginning with a pilot remained at $300 million during budget
elevated E. coli bacteria in Lake George.
the highest rates of infection to the lowest project), better sanitation, improved public negotiations with the Legislature. The DEC, and lawyer, Ken Lynch. Re-nominated to was targeted with hateful racially oriented
in about two months. He also used this interaction, and more comprehensive fund dedicates $31 million for parks and new terms were Elk Lake Lodge owner and graffiti in Saranac Lake in July 2020,
platform to denounce police brutality and environmental philanthropist John Ernst, the Governor backed up his commitment
Reality Calls,
planning. A more detailed report came open space. The “state land stewardship”
call for racial justice and equity. out in August. Adirondack Council Deputy part of the EPF increased to $34.4 million former Lake Pleasant Town Supervisor Dan by ordering a criminal investigation. Collect
Director and Director of Conservation Rocci from $33 million and includes funding for Wilt, and Lake Placid resort owner Art Lussi. In response to calls for better cell phone
Bonding Economy Aguirre is a member of the task force. the Governor’s effort to curb overuse and Wilderness preservation author and college Smarter Communities coverage statewide, the Governor in
overcrowding in the High Peaks Wilderness professor Chad Dawson’s term had not September 2019 appointed a task force
to Ecology Cancelled and Visitors
Area and other popular Forest Preserve yet expired at the time of the nominations to assess the coverage gaps and propose
In April, the Governor and Legislature
Panel to Form In the final budget approved by the
destinations. For the first time in years, the but did on June 30, 2020. That leaves solutions. Rather than seeking a cooperative
approved a $3-billion Restore Mother Climate Plan Dawson as the only member of the board Legislature and the Governor, the EPF
budget didn’t include a raid on funds from solution, some local Adirondack officials
Nature Bond Act, ostensibly showing that In February, Governor Cuomo made the the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. without the protection of a defined term. included funds to help Park communities. have pressured the Governor to abandon
environmental protection can be a source of final two appointments to his 22-member It provides $2 million for community the state’s successful policy of screening
economic recovery in these times of social Climate Action Council, which is responsible smart growth grants, of which $600,000
Agency Rules Antiquated, cell towers and other tall structures from
and financial strain. But in late July, the was slated for Adirondack communities. view (adopted February 2002). Officials
Governor withdrew it from consideration
Staff Decimated (x2) Also included is more than $10 million for claimed that the Adirondack Park had been
by the voters, citing a lack of federal “There’s a real question of The Governor didn’t strengthen the Climate Smart Communities, plus another left behind when it comes to coverage, while
support during the COVID-19 crisis and a what’s the maximum use Adirondack Park Agency’s outdated rules for $4.5 million for “Climate Resilient Farms.” the rest of Upstate was connected. The
faltering economy. If it had been approved development, nor did he replace the staff lost Funding for invasive species controls task force quickly dispelled those notions.
by voters in the November election, the
of the resources without to budget cuts made more than a decade ago, remained at just over $13 million and It studied the costs of better cell coverage
Bond Act could have provided capital damaging the resources during the Great Recession. Environmental Lake George will get $450,000, as it did across Upstate New York and found it would
projects funding to address climate change, and a balance between science has advanced significantly since in 2019. The EPF provided $300,000 split require $633 million to fill coverage gaps
clean water, overcrowding/overuse on the tourism, economic the Agency’s regulations were last updated between the Paul Smith’s and Newcomb outside of the rough terrain and sparse
Forest Preserve, and created jobs. State in 1987. The APA had 72 employees under Visitor Centers, and $2.1 million to populations of the Adirondacks and Catskills.
investments in clean water would bring new
development and Gov. George Pataki. Today it has 54. promote local culture, trails, and parks in It has not reported an estimate for the
filtration and treatment plants and much- preservation is needed.” Warren, Essex, and Hamilton counties. cost of full coverage inside the two parks.
needed relief to local property taxpayers. Fixing the problem Park-wide will require
The COVID-19 crisis has placed unusual
- Governor Cuomo addressing overuse PHOTO: NANCIE BATTAGLIA
special funding and state supervision.
6 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 7
North Country Association, has a new Lifting a Assemblywoman Didi Barrett that enhances
STATE executive director, Nicole Hylton-Patterson
of the Bronx. She hopes the organization
can help make the Adirondack Park a more
Legal Stigma
Sen. Peter Harckham, D-South Salem,
protections for certain endangered
species. Currently, there are many
endangered species that would be at
LEGISLATURE
welcoming and just place for visitors and and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, risk of losing protection if the United
residents. Several Adirondack communities D-Poughkeepsie, introduced legislation that States Department of Interior were to
held vigils and protest marches in June would remove a significant remove species from its list of protected
to denounce police violence and systemic barrier for those seeking species. This legislation would provide
racism following the murder of George Floyd to sell a conservation New York State the authority to review
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC. in Minnesota and subsequent protests. easement to the state that these actions prior to a species losing
includes public recreation its protection and make a decision in the
BOTH HOUSES which increased to $34.4 million from Low Sodium Diet Coming for a on private property. The best interest of its wildlife. The legislation
$33 million. An additional, $1.2 million for Firsthand Look bill would remove any is pending the Governor’s signature.
for Adirondacks liability for landowners
“Essex County Overuse” was included in the
Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo and Sen. Environmental Conservation Committee
Acting to Preserve the land protection and management funding and leaseholders arising
Closing a
Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, joined with Chairs Englebright and Kaminsky made from injuries by those
Environment & Create Jobs for the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
special trips to the Adirondack Park
HARCKHAM
Loophole
Assemblymen Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay, using hiking trails on
In April, the Legislature approved a $3-billion and Daniel Stec, following the 2019 Legislative Session properties covered by a conservation
Invasive Species Transport Both houses passed legislation (A.2655/
Restore Mother Nature Bond Act. The Bond R-Queensbury, to pass to better understand issues facing the easement. Conservation easements S.3392) sponsored by Assemblyman
Act would have provided capital projects Law Extended to 2021 the bipartisian “Randy Park and its communities. Both know and are agreements in which landowners Steven Englebright and Senator Rachel
funding to address climate change, clean Senate Environmental Conservation Preston Road Salt value the Adirondacks and the laws that give up certain property rights (such as May, that will regulate oil
water, and overuse on the Forest Preserve. Chair Todd Kaminsky, D-Long Beach, and Reduction Act.” This protect its natural resources. They met development and recreation rights) but and natural gas waste in
State investments in clean water would his counterpart in the Assembly Steven legislation aims to reduce with environmental organizations, Park retain ownership of the land and the rights New York as “hazardous
bring new water purification and treatment Englebright, D-Setauket, road salt contamination residents, local officials, and visited local to farm, harvest timber, etc. Some potential waste.” Despite New
plants, and the people to run them. Clean agreed to a one-year in wells, especially businesses. They also found time to unwind sellers have been reluctant to include York’s ban on high-volume
energy investments would mean new jobs extension of the law along state highways in the woods, on the water, and on the trails. recreational rights in their agreements due hydraulic fracturing,
building, improving and maintaining solar, banning the transport of in the Adirondacks. KENNEDY to concerns over personal injury lawsuits. there was a loophole
wind, and hydro-power facilities. Energy invasive species from one It would establish the which did not regulate
conservation projects bring new jobs in waterbody to another. The Adirondack Road Salt May, Fahy Adapt the transportation,
building and installing modern heating and ban requires boaters to Reduction Task Force and
cooling equipment, and in buttoning up
FDR’s Playbook treatment, storage and ENGLEBRIGHT
ensure that their crafts direct the departments disposal of oil and natural
leaky, older buildings. Bond Act monies could are clean, drained, and of Transportation, In an attempt to help jumpstart the
gas waste as “hazardous waste.” The new
also be used for much needed recreational dry before entering state Environmental economy in the wake of the COVID-19
KAMINSKY law will ensure toxic and harmful oil and
facilities as part of a comprehensive plan to waters. The law was set to Conservation, and pandemic, Sen. Rachel May, D-Syracuse,
natural gas waste is handled with the utmost
combat overuse. In July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo expire in 2019 but was extended to 2020 by Health to conduct a and Assemblywoman
caution and does not contaminate New
withdrew the Bond Act from consideration by a similar agreement. It is now set to expire in three-year, road salt Patricia Fahy, D-Albany,
York’s air and water. The Governor signed
voters, citing a lack of federal aid during the June of 2021. This allows advocates such as reduction pilot program sponsored a bill to create
JONES the legislation into law in August making
COVID-19 crisis and a sagging state economy. the Adirondack Council another opportunity on every state road in the a new Works Progress
New York the first in the Nation to close
Park. Recent testing by the Adirondack L-R: Kaminsky, Janeway & Englebright Administration in New
to seek an amendment that requires boat the hydraulic fracturing waste loophole.
New Funds inspections prior to launch, throughout Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College York. The program would
for Wilderness the Adirondack Park. The state has already showed that 64% of tested drinking water Strengthening Regional put people to work on
much needed public More Work Needed
created a network of free boat inspection wells downhill from state roads were Food Systems
In a difficult state budget year, the
and decontamination sites around the Park. found to have sodium levels exceeding infrastructure projects, on Key Issues
Legislature approved a $300-million Assembly and Senate Agriculture Committee which would aid the
the federally recommended health limit FAHY In a year overshadowed by the COVID-19
Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The Chairs, Donna Lupardo, D-Binghamton, economy and conservation
of 20 parts per million. The legislation pandemic and the massive call to action for
final budget agreement also removed a and Jen Metzger, D-Middletown, sponsored at the same time. Areas of concentration
now requires the Governor’s approval. racial justice, lawmakers had their hands full.
provision that would have paid state staff legislation to establish New York State would include: contact tracing, conservation Still, there are several issues the Legislature
salaries from the EPF, which is reserved Food Supply Working Group. The legislation and climate change projects, projects to
Budget Boosts Adirondack should take action on if it comes back to
for capital projects only. For the first time (A.10607-A/ S.8561-A) is designed to improve boost New York’s creative economy, and session in 2020. They include bills that
in several years, the budget didn’t include Diversity Effort the resiliency of New York’s food supply projects that enhance the agricultural sector. would create incentives for better private
a raid on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Understanding that diversity, equity, and chain as the COVID-19 pandemic exposed
forest and farm management, legislation to
Initiative. In addition to $31 million for parks inclusion are important in every corner areas for opportunity. Through a stakeholder Protecting address the misuse of ATVs and UTVs, and a
and open space, the fund is slated to pay process the working group is looking to
of the state, the Legislature approved the Endangered Species law to prevent the destruction of the Park’s
for parts of the Governor’s effort to curb $250,000 proposed by the Governor this reduce the vulnerability of New York’s food
Both houses passed legislation (S.8750/ most sensitive private wildlife habitat, via
overuse and overcrowding in the High Peaks year for the Adirondack Diversity Initiative supply chain and strengthen regional food
A.4077-A) sponsored by Senate EnCon new, conservation-minded subdivision rules.
Wilderness Area and other popular Forest A boat steward inspects a motorboat before launch (ADI). The ADI, a program of the Adirondack systems. The legislation passed both houses
Preserve trails via “state land stewardship,” and is pending the Governor’s signature. Committee Chair Todd Kaminsky and
8 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 9
SENATE ASSEMBLY Protection Fund, insisting that it remain
funded at $300 million or more, while also
THE
ensuring that it included funding to relieve
Bond Act Would Benefit On the overuse and overcrowding on popular
Economy & Environment Soap Box trails in the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
COURTS
Senator Kaminsky and Majority Leader Assembly Environmental Conservation
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, Chairman Englebright and Speaker Carl For ATVs,
championed the passage Heastie, D-Bronx, led their Bigger Isn’t Better
of the Restore Mother support of the $3-billion Assemblyman John Salka, R-Oneida,
Nature Bond Act, guiding Restore Mother Nature sponsored a bill that would allow dune-
it to easy approval in Bond Act, guiding it to buggy-like Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) to PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
their house. The Bond easy approval in their be registered for use for the first time in
Act would have helped house. The Bond Act required under the Clean Air Act. Since Sadly, the court deemed this use by a few
New York. The bill would raise the current Federal Court Upholds
both the economy would have helped both September 2017, the Trump administration hundred people a year to be essentially
weight limit for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) Anti-Pollution Rule refused to enforce the “Good Neighbor” the same as allowing anyone to use it.
and the environment the economy and the eligible for registration from 1,000 to
by financing projects environment by financing In September 2019, the U.S. Court of policy. The Council was a party in this case. There are tens of thousands of registered
1,500 pounds. The current limit ensures
that create jobs and STEWART-COUSINS projects that create jobs HEASTIE Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld snowmobile users within a half-day’s drive
that only smaller (up to two riders) ATVs
sustain eco-tourism while and sustain eco-tourism a strengthened version of the Cross-State of this site. The DEC relied on an exception
are allowed on public lands. The higher
improving water quality, preventing while improving water quality, preventing Air Pollution Rule. This rule is a landmark to the Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers
weight limit would permit much larger
erosion, and protecting wildlife habitat. erosion, and protecting wildlife habitat (See emission standard under the Clean Air Act’s Act that allows existing uses to continue.
UTVs (a.k.a. side-by-sides) which can hold
In July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo withdrew the Acting to Preserve the Environment & Create “Good Neighbor” policy, designed to protect The Council was a party in this case.
up to six riders and do more damage to
Bond Act from consideration by voters. Jobs on pg 8). They also rallied support downwind states such as New York from
roads and trails than smaller ones.
in their chamber for the Environmental coal-fired air pollution from upwind states. It Federal Court Initially
reduces sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides,
Eyesores Won’t Misapplies Pollution Rule
and the resulting soot, smog, and acid rain.
Improve Coverage The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency In May, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
In late 2019 and 2020, Senator Little joined Senator Little Retires Farewell to Eco- estimates this rule will prevent more than District of Columbia incorrectly deferred
with some local Park officials in a call to to the U.S. Environmental Protection
State Senator Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, Champion Brodsky 67,000 asthma attacks each year and will
abandon the Adirondack Park Agency’s provide American families with over $12 in Agency (EPA) when it rejected Maryland’s
will retire from the Senate at the completion Retired long-time Assembly Environmental and Delaware’s appeals for protection
(APA) successful policy of concealing cell health benefits for every dollar invested.
of her term on December 31, 2020. She has Conservation Committee Chairman Richard from upwind air pollution. Coal-fired
towers from view. Making towers taller and The Council was a party in this case.
represented the 45th Brodsky – winner of the Adirondack Council’s smokestacks on 36 power plants upwind of
uglier won’t help expand coverage. Contrary
District since 2003. Legislator of the Year and Conservationist these states cause acid rain all year long.
to complaints, cell companies report Court Orders Trump EPA
Little previously served of the Year awards Each plant has pollution controls installed
that the APA’s standard has not delayed
seven years in the -- passed away in April to Protect NY, NJ to curb sulfur- and nitrogen-based smoke.
deployment of towers. Most locations with
State Assembly after of 2020. A Democrat In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the However, those controls aren’t sufficient
limited cell coverage lack sufficient potential
having been elected in a from Greenburgh in District of Columbia told the Environmental in spring and summer to prevent nitrogen
subscribers to attract vendors. Newer
special election in 1995 Westchester County, Protection Agency (EPA) that they must pollution from mixing with heat and
technologies that will allow more coverage
to represent the 109th Brodsky served in carry out their obligation to stop states sunlight to create smog. So these plants
of communities and travel corridors use
District. When Senator the Legislature from from allowing smog-causing air pollution also have a second set of controls that
equipment that doesn’t require stand-alone Wild and remote section of the Upper Hudson River
Ron Stafford announced LITTLE 1983 to 2010. Brodsky emissions to blow into New York and New they must turn on, but only when the EPA
towers. Deployment of these technologies PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
his retirement in 2002, helped create the Jersey, preventing us from meeting air orders them to. Prior EPA administrators
in rural areas may require state incentives.
Little ran for and won the State Senate Environmental Protection BRODSKY quality standards. The ruling is expected routinely granted petitions from states
seat. Little said her greatest legislative Fund (1993) and the Clean NY High Court Weakens
to prevent thousands of premature deaths, seeking relief from upwind pollution. But
achievement has been the approval of Water Clean Air Bond Act (1996) as well as due to lung diseases, and it will also help
Wild River Protections in 2017, the Trump administration began
five state Constitutional Amendments to legislation to curb acid rain and discourage to curb acid rain. Under the Clean Air Act’s The NYS Court of Appeals misinterpreted denying all such petitions and started
address matters specific to the Adirondack New York power plants from selling pollution “Good Neighbor” policy, it is illegal for state law when it ruled 4-3 that the Dept. requiring downwind states to meet an
Park. In each case, she collaborated with allowances to upwind coal-fired power any state to create enough air pollution of Environmental Conservation (DEC) could unreasonable and unscientific burden in
the Adirondack Council to ensure the plants. Brodsky was a candidate for state that it causes a public health hazard in a open a new public snowmobile trail on proving harm. New York, Connecticut, and
amendment would meet with the approval of attorney general in 2006 and 2010. Brodsky downwind state. The court agreed that NY a formerly private road next to a “Wild” New York City filed similar petitions in 2017.
conservationists and citizens statewide. The dropped out of the 2006 race to be a kidney and NJ receive excess summertime smog section of the Upper Hudson River. Wild river The Council was a party in this case. The
45th Senate District includes six counties, donor for his then 13-year-old daughter. from 350 coal-fired power plants and other corridors are supposed to be managed as victory in the New York case effectively
two cities, 83 towns, 20 villages and the U.S. He retired from public office in 2010. sources in nine different states. It also motor-free Wilderness. Prior to the state’s reversed the loss in this case.
portion of Akwesasne, the indigenous Mohawk agreed that the EPA should be ordering purchase, the Chain Lakes Road in Indian
Nation that straddles the Canadian border. those plants to turn on their already- Lake was used for snowmobiling only by
installed summertime smog controls, as private club members and their guests.
10 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 11
ATTORNEY TIP OF
GENERAL THE HAT
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
James Lawsuit PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS In 2019, the Ausable River Association
completed a three-year rehab project to
Will Save Lives Each year the Adirondack Council repair trout habitat on the Dream Mile
Attorney General Letitia James saved many recognizes individuals and not-for-profit between Wilmington and Black Brook. The
lives when she persuaded the three-judge organizations whose work has advanced Association also warned that Mirror Lake
panel of U.S. Court of environmental protection and shown how had become so contaminated by road salt,
Appeals for the District nature and people can thrive together in it was no longer turning over in the spring
of Columbia in July the Adirondack Park. and fall, which will lead to an oxygen-
to issue a unanimous depleted dead zone at the bottom.
decision to force the U.S. In October, the Adirondack Mountain
Environmental Protection Club hired Michael Barrett, an attorney The Adirondack Land Trust paid $200,000
Agency (EPA) to protect who served in the NYS Assembly Codes for five acres on Indian Carry and Indian
Oxbow on the Raquette River, Tupper Lake
New York and New Jersey Committee and for two governors, to Point on Upper Saranac Lake, which will be
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
from smog emitted by replace a retiring Neil Woodworth as added to the Saranac Lake Wild Forest Area
other states. Under the JAMES Executive Director. In November 2019, the Wild Center of the publicly-owned “Forever Wild” Forest
“Good Neighbor” policy in published a tool kit that will allow others Preserve.
The Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI)
the Clean Air Act, it has been illegal since to duplicate its successful Youth Climate
hired Nicole Hylton-Patterson as its first
1990 for any state to emit enough smog- Summits.
Executive Director.
causing air pollution to cause a public
health risk in another state. The court said In the face of economic pressure brought
the EPA was obligated to force more than Junk oil-tanker cars lay idle next to the Boreas River in the heart of the Adirondack Park - After by New York’s free tuition program at SUNY
350 power plants in nine upwind states to public outrage the junk cars were removed by owners Iowa Pacific in the spring of 2018 colleges in 2019, Clarkson University
PHOTO: BRENDAN WILTSE
turn on already-installed pollution controls. moved its Adirondack Semester program
The EPA estimates that the summer smog out of downtown Saranac Lake and on to
controls prevent thousands of premature Reclaiming Railroad Suing to Save Water, the Paul Smith’s College campus, helping
deaths each year in the Northeast, most Through ‘Abandonment’ Birds, and Amphibians both private institutions.
of them in NYC and NJ and help prevent a Attorney General Letitia James’ staff In May 2020, the Attorney General
return of acid rain. The Trump administration sued the Trump administration over its In October 2019, the Adirondack North
pressed ahead with efforts to persuade
was the first to refuse relief to New York. weakening of the Clean Water Act. This Country Association launched a new Upper Saranac Lake
the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to
Act regulates water quality by making it grant to fund projects ($2,500 to $45,000) PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
declare a section of railroad “abandoned”
L-R: ADI Executive Director Nicole Hylton- designed to strengthen local farms, food
between North Creek and Tahawus. The illegal to discharge pollutants into U.S.
Patterson and DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos entrepreneurs, food hubs, and cooperatives. In the summer of 2019, a state boat
designation would prevent future rail car waters without a permit. The changes
launch steward trained by the Adirondack
junkyards on the site by taking control away the Trump administration finalized in The Adirondack Foundation and
Watershed Institute stopped an infestation
from Iowa Pacific Holdings of Chicago, which April weakened the requirements of the Cloudsplitter Foundation issued
of the invasive plant hydrilla into Lake
was storing dozens of derelict oil tankers National Pollution Discharge Elimination special grants in 2020 to help families,
Champlain. In 2020 a boat with zebra
there. Local and state officials could then System and eliminated protections for communities, and businesses address the
mussels was stopped and cleaned before
seek public input on the best public uses for seasonal tributaries and vernal pools that COVID-19 and economic crises.
entering Lake Placid. Well-trained stewards
the corridor. Part of the railroad was built are important to amphibian and reptile
The Environmental Defense Fund and the are doing an outstanding job of spotting
on state Forest Preserve by order of the reproduction. The Adirondack Park Agency
Sierra Club joined with the Adirondack and removing unwanted plants and animals
federal government in the 1940s to extract Act does a better job than federal law of
Council to intervene on behalf of New York from boats and trailers prior to and following
minerals needed for fighting World War II. protecting Adirondack waters from pollution.
State, New York City, and Connecticut launching on Adirondack waters.
The mine has been closed for roughly 50 However, water in other areas of New York
Coal-fired power plant along Lake Erie will suffer from Trump’s actions. Migratory in a suit petitioning the Environmental
years. More recently, rail bike excursion
PHOTO: ISTOCK
businesses have used part of the line. birds and other wildlife can be affected by Protection Agency for smog relief.
Beet harvest at Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams
the quality of waters outside of the Park.
PHOTO: BEN STECHSCHULTE
12 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 13
“ADIRONDACK FOREVER WILD IS FOREVER
PRESERVE WHITNEY! INCOMPLETE WITHOUT WHITNEY”
- William C. Janeway, Adirondack Council
RG
S.O
RIMAGE
LARRY MASTER, MASTE
N
Lows Lake Round
W E Lake
5 Ponds
S Wilderness
Long Lake
Little Tupper
Lake
Slim Pond
Lake Lila
William C. Whitney
Wilderness
Lake
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC.
Eaton
MAP KEY
Salmon Long Lake
Public Forest Preserve Lake Whitney Industries
ICONIC, 36K-ACRE WHITNEY PROPERTY FOR SALE Private Land
Land
Conservation Easement
Whitney History Brandreth Little
Waterbodies Lake Forked
Founded in 1897, the Whitney’s Adirondack estate Marylou bequeathed the remainder of the property on Lake
New York State
in the Town of Long Lake is nearly as old as the her passing in 2019 to her widower John Hendrickson. Whitney Industries Land
Adirondack Park (1892). It was established by William He has placed the entire estate up for sale. Today, Sargent Pond
C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy during the Cleveland the 36,000 acres or 57 square miles is equal Wild Forest
administration and a member of a sportsmen’s club on in size to Staten Island, or 2.5 times the
Little Forked Lake. He purchased about 80,000 acres. size of Manhattan. The property includes
the historic Great Camp Deerlands,
William C. Whitney was the grandfather of Cornelius a 17-bedroom, 11-bath rustic-style
wildlife nurseries to the region, providing State Open Space Conservation
Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney. Sonny Whitney also cared protected habitat for local and migratory Plan Recommends Protection
mansion with outbuildings including a birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles
deeply for the local landscape, returning whenever he two-story boathouse on Little Forked whose homes are threatened elsewhere. The Whitney property comprises the northeastern
could to oversee his timber operation and preserving Lake built by William West Durant. Perhaps most important of all, the corner of the Adirondack Council’s proposed 408,000-
important fisheries. In 1958, he married actress Marie
Whitney property’s limited development acre Bob Marshall Great Wilderness or Wildlands
Louise (Marylou) Schroeder. He sold pieces of the An Ecological Paradise and lack of public highways allow it to Complex, which would be large enough and wild
estate to neighbors and associates over the years. He
The Whitney property contains more than connect a broad array of Adirondack enough to host the return of large Adirondack natives
passed in 1992. In 1997, Gov. George Pataki bought for
30 lakes and ponds and hundreds of miles of wildlife habitats and ecosystems. These such as the moose, timber wolf, and someday, the
$17 million a 15,000-acre tract containing Little Tupper
brooks and streams, a series of interconnected uninterrupted connections will be crucial to cougar. The last moose and last cougar recorded
Lake, which was until then the largest private lake in
waterways. Its possibilities as a paddler’s paradise wildlife survival as climate change forces species to as shot by hunters in the Adirondacks were shot on
a single ownership in America. Pataki combined these
are unrivaled on the East Coast. More importantly, its move from current locations to newly suitable homes. Whitney property. In 1993, the Council’s plan was
15,000 acres with the adjacent Lake Lila Primitive Area
waters contain sensitive trout habitat, much of which is incorporated into the NYS Open Space Conservation
to create the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area.
now in better shape than it was 20 years ago when acid Plan, which guides the state’s strategic fair market
rain was causing daily harm. Vast wetlands serve as the Above: Whitney for sale offers potential for this gate to open, and value investments in open space preservation.
public paddling on waters closed for over one hundred years
14 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 15
Cathead Proposal Please Discard
LOCAL Discounts Alternatives
Advocates pushed for a Constitutional
Amendment to authorize a road and vehicle
16 Years of Success
Over the objections of some members,
the Warren County board of supervisors
GOVERNMENT access through the Silver Lake Wilderness
and up Cathead Mountain for access by
Hamilton County and a private club. The
state pays for and has rights to access and
passed a resolution in 2020 urging the
Adirondack Park Agency (APA) to abandon
its successful policy governing the siting
and construction of cell towers and other
PHOTO © CARL HEILMAN II/WILD VISIONS INC. maintain existing radio tower infrastructure tall structures. Since 2004, the APA’s policy
for the State Police and Department of has been to screen towers from view to
Cut Us Loose from an abandoned locomotive and coach rail Environmental Conservation. There are protect the Park’s magnificent wild scenery
Overuse Hurts
car removed from tracks at the county- faster, less expensive, more reliable, and and natural landscapes. Cell companies Anderson Falls and historic stone arch bridge
Economy Too Iowa Pacific, Please environmentally friendly alternatives that have said the policy posed no significant in Keeseville, Town of Chesterfield
owned rail station in North Creek.
The Adirondack Association of Towns In January 2020, the Warren County Board can quickly establish dependable county hurdle to providing coverage. The APA has
and Villages (AATV) called on the NYS of Supervisors voted unanimously to ask
Serving up Sanitation emergency communications on Cathead never denied a cell tower permit request. Conservation-Smart
Dept. of Environmental Conservation to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board to Mountain and deliver better coverage for Subdivisions? Not Now
address the problem of overuse in the declare the railroad tracks between Hadley Sense in Old Forge the Route 30 and Benson Road corridors Other Ways The AATV’s 2020 agenda dropped its
High Peaks Wilderness Area and other and North Creek to be abandoned. An Understanding that the lack of public that have not been fully evaluated. The
abandonment ruling would remove control
to Get There support for a compromise “Conservation
popular Forest Preserve destinations. The restrooms for visitors and recreationists Adirondack Council supports improved
of the tracks from insolvent operator Iowa The AATV dropped its call for expanded float Design” bill, which clustered development
AATV’s 2020 political agenda identified can quickly become a public health emergency communications infrastructure
Pacific Holdings, of Chicago. It would also plane access to lakes in Adirondack Forest and included transfers of development rights
the problem as serious and getting hazard impacting water quality, in for the County, but these needs can be
allow the county to stop spending money Preserve in 2020, after having pressed the and density bonuses, aimed at improving
worse. Local government support helped 2019 the Town of Webb built public met with alternatives that don’t require
maintaining the line for nonexistent traffic issue in their annual legislative agenda the Adirondack Park Agency’s protections
to persuade state officials to improve restrooms in Old Forge using a $100,000 an amendment alienating the publicly-
while a future use is settled. New York for many years. The matter has largely for remote, wildlands and waters where
parking enforcement, increase public smart growth grant from the state. owned “Forever Wild” Forest Preserve to
State is seeking a similar abandonment been settled by the courts, which ordered major subdivisions are proposed. The
information, and conduct some preliminary permanently benefit a private party.
of the tracks just north, from North the Adirondack Park Agency to remove Adirondack Council and partners worked
trail improvements. The Governor also
Creek to Tahawus in Essex County. such access from all lakes surrounded with AATV to negotiate a bill that they
appointed a task force to make short-term
by lands designated as Wilderness. This could support. The AATV’s 2019 agenda
and long-term changes in management.
is a positive step towards preserving the said it would work with the Adirondack
Freight Rail Outweighs Common Ground Alliance to achieve such
quiet and solitude of Wilderness lakes.
Actual Fate a bill. In 2019, the Alliance endorsed the
In May, Essex County officials opposed Conservation Design bill sponsored by
Let’s Be Safe Assembly Environmental Conservation
the abandonment of the railroad between
North Creek and Tahawus, claiming it
Out There Chairman Steven Englebright, D-Setauket.
was still viable for freight. The line runs Keene Town Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson In 2020, the bill languished in committee.
between an abandoned iron mine ghost has exhibited leadership on the issue of
town in Newcomb and the village that hosts A helicopter accesses a remote, off-grid radio overuse of the High Peaks Wilderness Legal Deja Vu
Gore Mountain Ski Center. Abandonment Visitors in Old Forge, Town of Webb Area, pressing state officials for assistance
communications network site in Maine in Clare
would not preclude future freight or PHOTO: ALPHA ENERGY in controlling summer crowds that jam
In 2019, the Town of Clare chose not to
passenger traffic. It would only remove the Sweet Views on trailheads and gobble up public parking in
A boat steward wears a face mask and maintains bankrupt current operator and give the Swede Summit Park-wide Appeal his town. Though challenging, he continues oppose the Adirondack Council’s lawsuit
proper social distancing while educating a which asked a NYS Supreme Court justice to
boater on aquatic invasive species prevention state, local officials and other stakeholders for Broadband to seek creative ways to ensure public
the option to decide the line’s future. In February 2020, Warren County officials safety while safeguarding the amazing throw out the town’s new ATV trail because it
announced that they had worked with The AATV 2020 agenda calls upon state was an illegally converted public roadway. The
Wilderness areas to which Keene is a
Spreading the Solution, landowner Lyme Timber Co. to gain officials to provide broadband internet
gateway community. This spring, rather than Council tried to prevent the town from taking
Not the Invaders Seeking Clean Up from public access to the summit of 1,896- coverage throughout the Adirondack Park. the illegal action, warning that it would sue
risk public health for short-term economic
Former Operator foot Swede Mountain. The mountain is Large areas of the Park remain without
gain, Wilson suspended the operation of its and was confident of victory, as it had won
The AATV joined Adirondack conservation services because there are too few potential
In September 2019, Warren County sued near the Hague-Horicon town line. The hiker shuttle during the COVID-19 pandemic. similar lawsuits against Lewis County and the
organizations in the winter and spring of subscribers to lure commercial operators.
the Southwind Rail Travel Limited of summit has great views and a 101-year- Town of Forestport, Oneida County. However,
2020 to call for a more comprehensive boat It is up to state officials to close the gaps
Wilkes-Barre, a railroad company that old fire tower closed since 1968. The in July 2020, town officials announced
inspection program inside the Adirondack in ways that are affordable for Adirondack
has left rotting railroad cars on county county is working with state officials on a that they were proposing basically the
Park. The Association noted that more residents. Broadband must be universal or
property in Johnsburg for more than eight rehabilitation plan for the tower and trails. same unlawful route as before. The Council
inspection stations would help curb the rural residents will lag behind the rest of the
years. The county filed a lawsuit in NYS will continue to monitor and is keeping all
spread of invasive species and remind boaters state economically for the foreseeable future.
Supreme Court in Warren County seeking options on the table going forward.
to stop for an inspection before launching.
a trespass finding and court order to have
16 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 17
DEPT. OF ban open fires, and set new group size Lifting a Sometimes the Best
ENVIRONMENTAL
limits. Even though visitation to High
Cloud of Soot Path is No Trail at All
Peaks continues to rise and the Wilderness
becomes impacted from this overuse, the The DEC approved new emissions standards In an effort to protect some of the wildest
for so-called “peaker” power plants in the terrain in the High Peaks region of the
CONSERVATION
DEC has not implemented limits on hikers. It
has now been advised by several Adirondack New York City metro area, where the mostly- Park, the DEC’s recently approved Unit
organizations, Leave No Trace and the DEC’s diesel turbines are used to create electricity Management Plan (UMP) for the Sentinel
own advisory group that limits are needed when demand is greatest. Decreasing Range Wilderness Area keeps a 10,000-acre
(See Action to Preserve Wilderness on pg 18). emissions from peakers will decrease soot portion of it as trailless. Located in the Essex
and fine particle pollution and prevent lung County towns of Jay, Keene, North Elba,
Forests Curb Climate and heart damage in NYC, Long Island, and Wilmington, the Sentinel Range sits
Inching Toward Change; Slow the Cutting and Westchester County, while diminishing northeast of the High Peaks Wilderness Area
Half-Century of Conservation Capacity Limits
a small source of acid rain Upstate. and contains such summits as Kilburn and
In February, the DEC released its draft Pitchoff, as well as the Jackrabbit Ski Trail.
The NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) NYS Forest Action Plan for public review
The DEC has made modest advances in The UMP includes a clear prohibition of ATVs
celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Earth Day of 2020. and comment. This 10-year strategic plan
controlling illegal parking and consequent in the unit, and a moratorium on the use of
The agency was created by Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller, provides long-term, comprehensive, and
overcrowding of trails in popular destinations fixed anchors for rock climbing until a working
replacing the former Conservation Department. coordinated strategies for addressing the
adjacent to NYS Route 73 in Keene. By group is convened. The DEC is recognizing
The current Commissioner is Basil Seggos (pictured challenges facing the state’s forests today.
striping the parking spaces, erecting signs that access to Wilderness is important for
right with Executive Director William Janeway). This is essential at a time when forests are
banning roadside parking, and enforcing the public to understand, appreciate it and
the ban, the DEC made progress in curbing needed to play a key role in New York’s protect it, but there are some wildlife and
Overuse is Real and Building More the impact of too many visitors in the Park’s overall plans for curbing the effects of plant species that cannot sustain contact
Sustainable Trails accelerating climate change. In preparing
We’ll Try to Fix It most popular locations. The DEC said the with people. Trailless Wilderness areas
size of parking lots at Wilderness trailheads the plan, the state worked with federal get few human visitors and thus preserve
In February, DEC Commissioner Seggos In response to concerns expressed by the A forest ranger interacts with a hiker
coincide with its best estimate of how many officials and determined that the current niches for the most sensitive species.
told members of the Legislature holding Adirondack Council and others, the DEC PHOTO: NANCIE BATTAGLIA
visitors could recreate there at the same rate of forest harvesting in certain areas
state budget hearings that overuse of the continued two major trail reconstruction
time without causing lasting damage. While of the Adirondack Park is higher than the Support for
High Peaks Wilderness Area and other efforts in the High Peaks Wilderness Area
growth rate and not sustainable. It was also
Keeping Salt
the rate of increase slowed for a couple of Forest Rangers
popular destinations in the Adirondack in 2019. New, more gently sloped and more
the popular trailheads, at most peaks, use discovered that the Forest Preserve, where in the Shaker
Park was a serious issue that requires sustainable trails are under construction at The Commissioner and the DEC reaffirmed
increased and foot traffic was roughly twice logging is banned by the NYS Constitution’s In January, the DEC granted the Village
attention. He promised to dedicate more Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade Mountain, support for the unique and important role of
the Wilderness resource capacity limit. “Forever Wild” clause, is far more effective at of Lake Placid $225,000 to construct a
of his own staff to solve the problem and two of the Park’s more popular summit the state Forest Rangers, as a complement
absorbing carbon from the atmosphere than salt shed for the highway department.
work with other state agencies to improve destinations. Like most of the trails in the to the Environmental Conservation Officers
Adirondack commercial forests. Its higher Uncovered salt piles lead to water
conditions for visitors and protect natural High Peaks, these paths were not sustainable (ECOs). The DEC continued to maintain
biomass also allows it to outpace commercial contamination. The Village of Lake Placid
resources. Seggos said good planning was in the face of increased levels of use. Trail the Forest Ranger force at or near historic
forests outside of the Park, where contains Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, as
needed to ensure that local communities sections suffer from serious erosion and “fill levels.” Forest Rangers fulfill a unique
overharvesting has not been a problem. well as sections of Chubb Brook and the
would benefit from increases in tourism. water damage. The Council identified 130 and important role as a key element of Ausable River. The grant came from the NYS
miles of trails that are too steep, wet, or the DEC’s care, custody, and stewardship Water Quality Improvement Project fund,
Action to Preserve otherwise unsustainable in their current Stegemann Retires of state forest lands across New York and a program that awards monies to improve
Wilderness state within the High Peaks alone. In March, Robert Stegemann retired as DEC in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. water quality and protect drinking water.
In June, Commissioner Seggos endorsed Region 5 Director. In the job, Bob oversaw the
Don’t Rush regional operations on the eastern two-thirds Nope. We’re Good
the work of his High Peaks Wilderness
‘Forever’ Decisions Better Plan
Advisory Group, which advised him to take of the Adirondack Park Without More Staff
Cars parked on the shoulder of NYS Route 73 and was based in Ray on Deer Feeding
action in seven distinct areas of Wilderness The DEC waited until late July to provide
near the Roaring Brook trailhead in Keene Brook. He also served In April, Commissioner Seggos, as he In December 2019, the DEC improved its
management. The state appointed the group the Legislature with three proposed
as Commissioner has done many years in a row, told state policy on feeding wild deer when it modified
in response to widespread concern over Constitutional Amendments, each seeking Legislators holding budget hearings that
record numbers of visitors and damage to to amend the “Forever Wild” clause (Article Has the Authority, Seggos’ designee on its current ban to allow feeding for the
the Adirondack Park he had enough staff to care and protect purpose of inoculating deer herds with
natural resources from overuse of popular 14, Section 1). The clause protects Forest Won’t Use It the Adirondack Park. Proper care of the
hiking trails. These recommendations, Preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill Agency’s decision- insecticides that repel and kill ticks. Deer ticks
Since 1999 when the first Unit Management making board. Bob steps overused High Peaks Wilderness Area are the top vector for Lyme disease and other
which included imposing limits on trails parks from logging, sale and development. Plan (UMP) was approved for the High down after nine years alone will require more Forest Rangers tick-borne neurological ailments in humans
and parking capacity to protect water, The subjects of the proposals were Peaks Wilderness Area, the DEC has had as Regional Director. He STEGEMANN and Assistant Rangers, Environmental and dogs. The DEC has banned deer feeding
wildlife, and fair access to the solitude of important – an emergency radio tower, the authority to limit the total number came to the DEC after working as a spokesman Conservation Officers, land managers, by the public in an effort to curb Chronic
true wilderness, were meant to provide an new winter sports facilities and the sale of hikers and campers that use the trails for the Empire State Forest Products planners, trail crews, and engineers. As the Wasting Disease, which deer can transmit
action plan for this summer. Another set of of surplus state buildings. All deserve and campsites in this area of the Forest Association and for 18 years as manager of Leave No Trace team discovered during its to one another when feeding in groups.
recommendations for longer-term use in a full and open public discussion, not a Preserve. The same UMP authorized the sustainability at International Paper Co. whole-Park survey, the High Peaks are not
future years is expected out later in 2020. frantic, last-minute effort at deal making. DEC to mandate the use of bear canisters, the only location in need of more attention.
18 ADIRONDACK COUNCIL STATE OF THE PARK 2020–2021 19You can also read
