For Immediate Release: October 12, 2015
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Ray Brook, NY - The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) are holding a joint public comment period to solicit comments regarding a proposal from the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) to renovate an existing cabin on Lookout Mountain within the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area.
Public comments will be accepted until October 22, 2015. DEC will accept comment on the proposed management action. The public is encourage to submit Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance comments to the APA.
Porcupine Lodge was originally used as a warming hut by the general public when Marble Mountain Ski Area was in operation. The Lodge is a 50x20-foot enclosed wood-frame building constructed in 1949 as part of the original Whiteface Mountain Ski Area, often referred to as Marble Mountain. The Lodge is considered an "appurtenance" to the ski trail system pursuant to Article XIV of the NYS Constitution which expressly extends authority to permit the construction of "appurtenances" to ski trails (lodges, lifts, parking lots, snowmaking facilities, etc.)
ORDA has proposed to undertake minor modifications to the lodge and construct a hospitality deck to accommodate day use by the general public during ski season. The lodge is located a short distance from the top lift terminal of the new Lookout Mountain Triple Chairlift and associated trail system at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. Whiteface Mountain is located in the Town of Wilmington, Essex County.
The proposed amendment will improve the skiing and snowboarding experience for visitors to Whiteface Mountain Ski Area. The requested renovations will take place within the existing structure and the existing clearing.
The renovation of Porcupine Lodge was previously discussed by the DEC and APA during the 2006 and 2013 Whiteface Mountain UMP amendment approvals. Given the familiarity with the project, DEC and APA are holding a joint public comment period.
The draft plan is available to view or download on DEC's website. Copies of the Draft Plan are also available on CD at the DEC Region 5 Headquarters in Ray Brook NY.
Please direct comments specific to the proposed management action to renovate Porcupine Lodge to:
Josh Clague
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4254
adirondackpark@dec.ny.gov
Please submit all comments related to the proposed management action to DEC by October 22, 2015.
The public is also encouraged to comment on how the proposal conforms to the guidelines and criteria of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
Please address all written comments pertaining to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance to:
Kathy Regan
Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Fax: 518-891-3938
Email - SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov
Please submit all conformance comments to the APA by October 22, 2015.
The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan is available to view or download from the Adirondack Park Agency's website www.apa.ny.gov.
UMPs are required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan for each unit of State land in the Adirondack Park. The plans integrate the goals and objectives of the Master Plan, related legislation, and resource and visitor use information into a single document.
The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law. For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.ny.gov.
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