Wilmington, NY, Apr 29, 2010 — State officials say local communities can't use their fire departments' training exercises to burn municipal brush. Brush burning by towns and by individuals was banned last year by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Local government leaders in the North Country have railed against the DEC regulation, claiming that it will lead to an increase in individuals burning their brush at home and an associated increase in brush fires. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Keene Valley, NY, Apr 20, 2010 — This morning we begin a three-part series looking at the major land acquisitions that are reshaping the Adirondack Park. Hundreds of thousands of acres have changed hands in the Adirondacks, bought from private owners by New York State. This week we'll look at how those sometimes controversial deals are made, and who makes them.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced earlier this month that they will investigate the 2008 purchase of 20,000 acres in Clinton County, and tomorrow we'll look at that current controversy.

Today, we start with the big picture.
Many of these big land deals have resulted from a close partnership between the state Department of Environmental Conservation and one environmental group: the Adirondack Nature Conservancy.
Supporters praise the partnership for facilitating protection of prized lakes, mountains and open space. Critics say the relationship is too close and warrants more scrutiny. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Apr 08, 2010 — The New York Post reported this week that the Adirondack Nature Conservancy reaped millions in profits from a land preservation deal with New York State. The story says the conservancy paid Domtar $6.8 million for the land, and sold it to the state for almost $10 million four years later -- an "absurd" profit as headlined in the Post.

The report is prompting reviews by the state attorney general's office into potential over-payments for the 20,000 acres in Clinton County. Martha Foley talks with Adirondack Bureau Chief Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Mar 11, 2010 — Environmental officials say New York's bald eagle population may be at its highest level since restoration work began more than 30 years ago. The DEC has conducted annual eagle surveys since 1979. Blanche Town, a DEC biologist based in Potsdam, is part of a team that conducts an aerial survey of the St. Lawrence River. She told Todd Moe that 101 bald eagles were counted on the river this year.  Go to full article

Au Sable Forks, NY, Feb 11, 2010 — Word spread this week about a story of a cougar killed in the Adirondacks -- but state conservation officials say it was just the local version of a hoax that's been moving from region to region for months. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Feb 09, 2010 — Governor Paterson's proposed budget would vastly rein in what New York can do with its environmental resources. The plan would slash the Environmental Protection Fund by a third. It would put a moratorium on new land aquisitions. And it would cut the Department of Environmental Conservation budget by 11%. Many observers say the DEC never recovered from deep cuts in the 1990s. DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis was in Clayton last Friday to mark the completion of a brownfield clean-up on the St. Lawrence River. He told David Sommerstein his agency does face big challenges.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jul 22, 2009 — In the latest issue of the Adirondack Explorer magazine, our reporter Brian Mann tells the surprising story of the Adirondack Park's State Land Master Plan.

The "SLUMP," as it's known, shapes nearly every activity in the Adirondack forest preserve, from hiking and snowmobile trails to the building of roads and lean-tos.

While researching the story, Brian learned that the regulations developed in the 1960s have been a source of friction and animosity among state officials for decades - often pitting the Department of Environmental Conservation against the Adirondack Park Agency.

Brian spoke about his report with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

May 29, 2009 — New York is loosening its proposed open burning ban to exclude downed tree limbs and small brush. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2009 — Yesterday, around 380 acres of brush fires were reported across New York State. Dozens of acres were burning in the Adk/North Country. The wet weather that moved into the area helped New York's Department of Environmental Conservation fight these fires. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Mar 02, 2009 — A large, flat-bed truck that's been submerged in Upper Saranac Lake, near Tupper Lake, for more than a month was pulled out Friday. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article