Lake George, NY, May 08, 2012 — One of the North Country's most outspoken environmental leaders is returning to the Park-wide debate in the Adirondacks.

Peter Bauer, who led the Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, has spent the last five years working on conservation issues in the Lake George area. In that role, he's been far less visible and far less controversial.

But Bauer announced yesterday that he'll take over as executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, a group that formed in 2009. He spoke about the move with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Jan 24, 2012 — Last week's decision by the Adirondack Park Agency to allow construction of a massive new resort in Tupper Lake was a major defeat for environmental groups. Developers of the Adirondack Club and Resort won permission to build more than 700 luxury homes and condos, much of it on timberland that borders the High Peaks Wilderness.

Green activists spent much of the last decade opposing the project, insisting that it would set dangerous precedents for future development. But debate over the resort came at a time when once-powerful environmental groups were disintegrating, faltering under financial strain and deeply divided over the movement's agenda.

As Brian Mann reports, last week's vote could signal a balance of power in Park debates as environmentalists scramble to regroup.  Go to full article

Jan 28, 2011 — One of the North Country's most prominent environmental groups has reorganized again and has new leadership.

CEO Peter Borelli has stepped aside and Protect the Adirondacks is now led three volunteer co-chairs.

The group is now working to stabilize its finances, in part by selling a landmark building located in Niskayuna that houses the Adirondack Research Library.

The library is one of the premier collections of writing about the Park and its environmental history. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jun 22, 2010 — One of the region's most influential environmental groups is re-organizing yet again, hoping to continue operations with a much smaller staff.

Protect the Adirondacks has brought on long-time environmentalist Peter Borrelli from Northville to serve as president and CEO.

But as Brian Mann reports, the group doesn't plan to hire a permanent executive director.  Go to full article

Mar 08, 2010 — Governor David Paterson has nominated businessman and environmental activist Peter Hornbeck to serve on the Adirondack Park Agency board. Hornbeck, a boatbuilder from Olmstedville, has the support of his local town board and supervisor. In a letter issued last week, Minerva town supervisor Sue Montgomery-Corey described Hornbeck as intelligent and thoughtful.

"We believe that he will represent the needs of Adirondack communities and businesses well," Corey wrote.

But Hornbeck's nomination has drawn fire from other local government groups in the Adirondacks and from state Senator Betty Little. They point to the fact that he serves on the board of Protect the Adirondacks, a group that is currently suing the APA. Last week, Senator Little predicted that Hornbeck wouldn't be confirmed by the state Senate.

Until now, Hornbeck himself has kept quiet about the uproar that has erupted around his candidacy. But on Friday he spoke in-depth with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Feb 24, 2010 — The nomination of environmentalist and businessman Peter Hornbeck to serve on the Adirondack Park Agency cleared a key committee today in the state Senate. Hornbeck, a boatbuilder from Olmstedville, faces opposition from local government leaders in the Park. But Democrats on the committee said they were under pressure from Governor David Paterson to approve Hornbeck. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Feb 10, 2010 — State Sen. Betty Little opposes the latest of Governor David Paterson's nominations to the Adirondack Park Agency commission. And she says she's introducing a measure that would give local governments more control over the park commission's board. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article