Dec 22, 2006 — Governor Pataki yesterday announced details of the deal to protect another 51,000 acres of forestland in St. Lawrence County. According to the agreement, the state will pay $6.5 million for a conservation easement from global timber firm Rayonier. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

May 18, 2006 — For decades, development has been spreading into areas that were wild, or close to wild. There is growing concern about the loss of wildlife habitat. The government has set aside some parks and preserves, but biologists say many species of wildlife need much more space than public land can provide. The G-L-R-C's Lester Graham reports that's why more and more groups are approaching private landowners:  Go to full article

Mar 28, 2006 — In a rare twist, a pro-environment group is selling a big chunk of Adirondack Land back into the private sector, for $2.5 million. The Adirondack Nature Conservancy announced yesterday that they'll sell more than 600 acres of land in Newcomb to the Tahawus hunting and fishing club. The property includes a remote mountain valley and 115-acre Zack Lake. The valley is surrounded by forest land owned by the Finch Pruyn timber company, based in Glens Falls. The land won't be opened to the public, but it will remain on the local tax rolls. The forest and the lake will also be protected by a permanent conservation easement. The Zack Lake property is so remote that it wasn't surveyed until 1899. It was first owned by great camp developer William West Durant. Nature Conservancy director Mike Carr told Brian Mann that several factors convinced his organization to put the property on the open market.  Go to full article

Jan 10, 2006 — Governor George Pataki says he wants to boost funding for New York's Environmental Protection Fund by 20% this year. The proposal would add another $30 million to an account that's used to pay for recycling, pollution control programs, and for the purchase of land. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 07, 2004 — A half-century relationship between Kraft Foods and the village of Canton is all but finished. Only a signed deed is left to finalize Kraft's sale of its cheese-making plant to Missouri-based Bristol Manufacturing. The company will manufacture and repair bulk cheese containers under the name St. Lawrence County Manufacturing and Properties. It expects to open in the spring with 10 to 15 workers. When Kraft closed last summer, it employed 65 people. David Sommerstein spoke with St. Lawrence County economic developer Raymond Fountain about the sale and its effect on the North Country dairy industry. He says the plant's new owners want another tenant.  Go to full article

Nov 19, 2004 — Legislators in Frankln County voted unanimously Thursday to oppose a land claims settlement between the state and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. County officials say a ten million dollars payment meant to offset the loss of taxes isn't big enough. As Chris Knight reports, the arguements made by legislators mirror those heard earlier this month when St. Lawrence County Legislators voted to oppose the settlement.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2004 — Farmers markets, roadside stands, and U-picks give us fresh produce and a unique relationship with the people who grow the food we eat. They're also a growing part of agriculture in the North Country and statewide. In 2000, local markets and stands sold more than $230 million in products in New York. Today, there are 30 farmers markets just in the North Country. But making a living on the land by selling locally isn't easy. David Sommerstein visited a family farm north of Malone to see how the business works.  Go to full article

Jul 30, 2003 — A grass roots group says it has gathered enough signatures to force a referendum on a proposal to develop shoreline property in the town of Waddington. David Sommerstein has more.  Go to full article