Ray Brook, NY, Feb 14, 2013 — In recent weeks, the Adirondack Park has become embroiled in a new debate over clearcut logging.

But a growing coalition of environmentalists, industry leaders, government officials and academics agree on one thing.

More than a million acres of the Park's privately-owned timber land is deteriorating -- turning into what some critics describe as "junk" forest.

That trend threatens the long-term environmental health of the Adirondacks, as well as the health of the North Country's logging industry.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Feb 08, 2013 — Next week the Adirondack Park Agency will vote on a controversial new policy that would change the way clear-cut logging is regulated.

State officials hope to offer a more streamlined general permit to landowners in the Park who want to clear-cut forest stands larger than 25 acres.

Only private timber lands covered by a sustainable forestry plan would qualify for the new permit.

Supporters of the change say it will help the region's logging industry harvest trees more efficiently, while also encouraging smarter long-term management of the Park's forests.

Critics in the environmental community say the APA is giving up too much of its regulatory clout and giving loggers too much leeway.  Go to full article

Warrensburg, NY, Nov 30, 2012 — Former Warrensburg supervisor Maynard Baker has dropped his federal lawsuit seeking floatplane access to more than three dozen remote ponds and lakes in the Adirondacks.

The suit sought to reopen nearly 40 Adirondack lakes and ponds, arguing that a state ban violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. It followed a floatplane ban on Low's Lake near Tupper Lake.

Baker says he brought the suit on behalf of people with disabilities, but he can't afford to go head to head with New York State over the issue any more.  Go to full article

Sep 24, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to the Adirondacks Sunday, bringing with him most of his executive cabinet and dozens of downstate reporters.

He made the trip to promote a big new $50 million land purchase that will add tens of thousands of acres to the Park's forest preserve.  Go to full article

Sep 18, 2012 — State officials say they plan to buy the first big chunk of the former Finch timberlands by the end of the year.

Roughly 19,000 acres will be added to the "forever wild" forest preserve in the first phase of the project. State officials say they plan to buy the first big chunk of the former Finch timberlands by the end of the year. Roughly 19,000 acres will be added to the "forever wild" forest preserve in the first phase of the project. Supporters say these lands will open popular new areas for hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing.

The process is now underway to determine the kind of rules and guidelines that will shape public access, and state officials say they hope to avoid the kind of clashes that have marked past land classification efforts.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Sep 13, 2012 — A judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that state officials conspired illegally with an environmental group against a landowner in the Adirondacks. Leroy Douglas filed the lawsuit in 2010, claiming the Adirondack Park Agency worked in concert with the Adirondack Council to reopen an enforcement case involving his property on Silver Lake in Clinton County.

Tuesday's court ruling dismissed many of Douglas claims, but allowed the case to proceed to trial.  Go to full article

Elizabethtown, NY, May 09, 2012 — The Adirondacks' largest environmental advocacy group is pushing for an overhaul of the rules that have guided development in the Park for 40 years. The Adirondack Council is calling for policy reform that would rehone the mission of the Adirondack Park Agency, and strengthen and clarify key portions of the law the agency works under.

John Sheehan is communications director of the Council, which has offices in Elizabethtown and Albany. He sat down with Martha Foley recently to talk in-depth about the effort and about the evolution of the environmental movement in the park.  Go to full article

Jan 25, 2012 — St. Lawrence County legislators are urging the Adirondack Park Agency to fight a recent court decision that designates the water and bed of Lows Lake as wilderness. That's according to the Watertown Daily Times.  Go to full article

Jan 17, 2012 — Tomorrow in Ray Brook, Adirondack Park Agency commissioners begin their final three days of deliberations over the resort project planned for Tupper Lake. Developers hope to build hundreds of homes and condos on more than six thousand acres of land near the Big Tupper ski area. A final vote from the APA is planned for Friday.

Village Mayor Paul Maroun said he's hopeful a permit will be granted. "It's a big issue on the streets in Tupper Lake. Everybody's talking about it, both sides of the issue," Maroun noted.

Brian Mann has been following this project for seven years and he spoke with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Nov 18, 2011 — Yesterday was the first full day of public deliberations for the Adirondack Park Agency as commisioners consider a permit for the Big Tupper resort project.

The massive resort - with more than 700 homes, condos and mansions -- has developed into a flashpoint in debates over the Park's future and a final vote is expected in January.

On Thursday, commissioners heard testimony over a wide range of topics. But a key focus was the lack of comprehensive scientific data showing the resort's impact on wildlife.

As Brian Mann reports, specific concerns were raised about the construction of one new neighborhood that could displace amphibian species.  Go to full article