News stories tagged with "forest-products"

(06/02/10) While the debate rages over pollution of outdoor wood boilers, a new generation of wood heat systems is already being rolled out.

Scientists and manufacturers say so-called "wood gasification" boilers burn much more efficiently with far less smoke and ash. A new, state-of-the-art boiler is now on-line at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, burning wood pellets produced in Massena.

As Brian Mann reports, the manufacturer hopes to sell similar systems to businesses and government offices across the North Country.

(04/20/10) 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.

(04/03/07) In a decision that will reshape the Adirondack timber industry, Finch, Pruyn and Company says it hopes to sell its paper mill in Glens Falls and more than a 160,000 acres of forestland in the Adirondack Park. The price wasn't disclosed. The proposed buyer is Connecticut-based Atlas Paper. As Brian Mann reports, the sale of Finch Pruyn and Company brings to an end a 142-year chapter of North Country history.

(11/15/05) Koch Industries doesn't plan immediate changes at the Georgia Pacific Mill in Plattsburgh. The private company's buy-out of Georgia Pacific was announced earlier this week. Brian Mann has details.

(07/21/05) A historic deal to block development on more than a quarter-million acres of International Paper land in the Adirondacks remains in limbo. The conservation plan endorsed by Governor Pataki is caught up in a feud with local governments. It has also being complicated by IP's plan, announced this week, to sell off millions of acres of timberland worldwide. Brian Mann has details.

(01/06/05) During his state of the state address, Governor Pataki praised a new land deal with Domtar Industries that will preserve more than a hundred thousand acres of timber land in Clinton and Franklin Counties. The 23-million dollar deal follows closely on the heels of other land purchases, involving International Paper and National Lead. Much of the land will be protected by conservation easements. Logging will continue, but sprawl and housing development are banned. Pro-environment groups say easements are an important tool for preserving open space and improving recreation. But as Brian Mann reports, some critics wonder if the state has the resources to manage these complex land deals over the long haul.

(11/26/04) With oil prices hovering at record levels, more north country families are using wood stoves as a primary heating source. New York state is now exploring the possibility of generating electricity using wood waste from the region's logging industry. On a visit this week to Tupper Lake, Governor Patki unveiled a state plan to build an experimental wood-powered generator in the village. Brian Mann has details.

(09/22/04) One of the region's biggest timber companies is selling a 4,900 acre parcel of land in the town of Newcomb. According to a report published yesterday in the Glens Falls Post-Star, Finch Pruyn has agreed to sell the property for nearly $6 million. As Brian Mann reports, environmental groups say the deal could signal a new wave of housing development in the Adirondack Park.

(03/07/03) A North Country paper mill won't be reopening, after laying off hundreds of workers last fall. Jody Tosti has more.

(12/04/02) More than two hundred sawmill owners from across the North Country met last night in Ray Brook, furious about a change to New York state building codes. The new code - set to take effect January 1st - would force homebuilders to stop using the kind of "rough cut" lumber made in many local mills. As Brian Mann reports, most family run mills say the code will put them out of business.