For Immediate Release: November 9, 2009
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 at APA Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY.
The November meeting will be webcast live. Please use the link found on the Agency’s homepage to view the webcast. (http://www.apa.state.ny.us)
The Full Agency will convene on Thursday morning at 9:00 with Executive Director Terry Martino’s report highlighting monthly activity.
At 9:30 a.m., the Regulatory Programs Committee will determine approvability for the temporary re-opening of the Big Tupper Ski Hill in the Town of Tupper Lake, Franklin County and NYS Department of Transportation/National Grid proposed reconstruction of 0.8 miles of NYS Route 28 in the Town of Forestport, Oneida County.
The committee will consider an application from ARISE for the temporary re-use of portions of the “Big Tupper” ski center. The ski center will primarily operate 9 AM to 4 PM, Friday thru Sunday and holidays. ARISE proposes to operate one chair lift and one rope tow along with portions of the existing lodge, maintenance garage, safety patrol building and lift buildings.
The Committee will also consider NYS Department of Transportation and National Grid’s proposal for an 0.8 mile component of their larger road resurfacing and construction project planed for State Route 28 in Oneida County. The project under review begins at the Adirondack Park boundary in the Town of Forestport. There will be utility relocations throughout the 0.8 mile reconstruction section to provide a minimum offset from the edge of travel lane of 16 feet. In addition, a vegetation management area extending 37.5 feet from the centerline of the relocated poles is proposed as part of the utility relocation project. The new poles will be 56.5 feet above the finish grade throughout the reconstruction portion of the project within the Park and there will be transmission, distribution and other communications cables on the poles.
The committee meeting will conclude with a discussion of ongoing review of telecommunication projects. At 11:00, the Park Ecology Committee will discuss an Agency proposed resolution in support of Assembly Bill 8475 which would amend Article 15 of the Environmental Conservation Law by adding a new title 35, “Aquatic Invasive Species.” This title is meant to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species into and within the waters of New York State in order to preserve aquatic native species populations, biodiversity and aquatic recreational activities.
At 1:00, The State Land Committee will consider authorizing Agency staff to conduct public hearings to solicit public comments regarding the 2009 State Land Classification Package. The proposal involves the classification of 94 distinct projects totaling an estimated 31,570 acres and was developed in careful consultation with DEC staff.
The committee will also consider whether APA/DEC proposed Snowmobile Trail Siting, Construction and Maintenance Guidance is consistent with provisions of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
The committee meeting will conclude with reconsideration for the proposed classification/reclassifications of state lands in the vicinity of Lows Lake and the Five Ponds Wilderness Area.
At 3:30, the Legal Affairs Committee will hear updates on public notices and hearings for boathouse and dock regulations and definitions.
At 4:00, the Enforcement Committee will come to order for administrative enforcement proceedings related to alleged permit violations resulting in substandard lot subdivision violations in the Town of Mayfield, Fulton County and the Town of Watson, Lewis County. On Friday morning at 9:00, the Park Planning Committee will consider an agency initiated map amendment proposal for the Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County. The proposed amendment would result in the reclassification of 60 acres of Resource Management to Low Intensity Use. Town of Fine Supervisor Mark Hall identified this issue during his Community Spotlight presentation in March.
The committee will also consider nine technical map amendments which would reclassify State lands that are erroneously classified as private lands on the Official Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map. The technical map amendments involve 9 separate parcels in the towns of Keene, Duane, Webb, Peru, Stratford, Chesterfield, Ticonderoga Hague and Colton.
At 10:00, Town of Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava will be the guest speaker for the Community Spotlight presentation. Supervisor Scozzafava will overview his community and highlight important community issues facing this Essex County town.
At 10:45, the Full Agency will convene to take action as necessary and conclude the meeting with committee reports, public and member comment.
Meeting materials are available for download from the Agency’s website at: http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Mailing/0911/index.htm
The next Agency meeting is December 10-11, 2009, at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.
January Agency Meeting: January 14-15 2010 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.
The New York State Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 by the State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Adirondack Park. With its headquarters located in Ray Brook, the Agency also operates two Visitor Interpretive Centers, in Newcomb and Paul Smiths. For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.state.ny.us.
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