Jun 13, 2013 — Lawmakers in Albany have a dwindling number of hours to push through a huge backlog of bills.

One of the most controversial issues still on the table from the North Country is a bill in the state Assembly that would allow a land swap in Essex County.

The deal, which passed the state senate earlier this week, would allow a mining company called NYCO Minerals to expand its operations onto roughly 200 acres of state forest preserve land.

In exchange the company -- which operates in Lewis and Willsboro -- has agreed to purchase roughly 1500 acres that would be added to the Park's "forever wild" preserve.

The deal has the backing of two of the region's largest environmental groups. But two other green groups are fiercely opposed to the measure.  Go to full article

Willsboro, NY, Jun 22, 2012 — In the final hours of the session yesterday, lawmakers in Albany pushed through two bills that would amend the state constitution for the Adirondack forest preserve. The bills will allow land swaps in Raquette Lake and Willsboro. As Brian Mann reports, green groups are supporting the Raquette Lake amendment. However, they hope to derail a plan to expand a mining operation onto state Park land in Willsboro.  Go to full article