For Immediate Release: December 10, 2015
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Ray Brook, NY The New York State Adirondack Park Agency (APA or Agency) has proposed a series of amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) involving modifications to basic guidelines, add content, and minor and ministerial changes. The APA will accept public written comment until January 29, 2016. Three public hearing sessions also will be held.
Consistent with commitments made as part of the 2013 Classification resolution for the Essex Chain Lake action, the APA will consider changes to APSLMP guidelines for management and use of All-Terrain Bicycles in the Essex Chain and Pine Lake Primitive Areas as well as the use of non-natural materials for bridge construction on the Cedar River. Other proposed changes include updating terms such as State Truck Trail to Administrative Road and All Terrain Bicycle to Bicycle, adding definitions for terms which are referenced in the guidelines but not defined (Administrative personnel, Bicycle Trail, Horse mounting platform, etc). Additional content has been added on Conservation Easements and Invasive Species. Ministerial changes include grammatical corrections, updates to figures and removing the names of Agency Members no longer serving on the Board.
Executive Director Terry Martino said, "The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan is an extraordinary document approved by the New York State Legislature in 1972. For decades, the plan has protected the natural resources of the Adirondack Park while balancing public access. However, after 40 years, it is an appropriate time to consider amendments that address the evolving public interest in our beautiful Park. With a full understanding of the underlying theme of the Master Plan, we invite all stakeholders to comment on the proposed modifications."
"These proposed amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan demonstrate the commitment of Governor Cuomo, APA and DEC to ensure the public can experience a range of recreational opportunities on this significant addition of lands and waters to the Adirondack Forest Preserve" said DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos. " Visitors are drawn to the Adirondack Park to enjoy the many benefits the Forest Preserve provides vast areas of wild forest lands interspersed among communities a true world class destination right here in New York State. "
APA staff prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). At its December 2015 Board meeting, the Agency Board authorized staff to hold public hearings on the DSEIS and the proposed amendments to the APSLMP. Hearings will be held both inside and outside the Park at the following locations:
January 6, 2016 7:00 pm Adirondack Park Agency 1133 NYS Route 86 Ray Brook, NY This meeting will be broadcast live via the Agencys webcast system. Please use apa.ny.gov to connect.
January 7, 2016 7:00 pm Newcomb Central School 5535 NYS Route 28N Newcomb, NY
January 13, 2016 1:00 pm NYS DEC Offices 625 Broadway Albany, NY
The public will have an opportunity to comment at the public hearings and to submit written comments throughout the comment period. APA staff will consider all timely received comments on the proposed alternatives and may incorporate those comments into a Final Supplemental Impact Environmental Statement (FSEIS). The FSEIS will include a written response to public comments and will present final alternatives and a staff recommendation for preferred alternatives. The FSEIS will be brought to the Agency Board after the close of the public comment period. The Agency Board will then decide whether to accept the FSEIS and whether to recommend the APSLMP amendments to the Governor. If the APSLMP amendments are authorized by the Agency, a Board Resolution recommending an alternative will be forwarded to Governor Cuomo for final approval.
The APSLMP states that planning is an on-going process and, as public use of the State lands expands or changes, land use controls may require reanalysis. Protection and preservation of the natural resources of the State lands within the Park must be paramount. Human use and enjoyment of those lands should be permitted and encouraged, so long as the resources in their physical and biological context, as well as their social or psychological aspects, are not degraded.
The inclusion of bicycling in the Essex Chain Lakes Primitive Area would expand recreational opportunities based in Newcomb and Indian Lake. The purpose of the amendment is to enable DEC to allow bicyclists to explore in the Newcomb and Indian Lake areas, and perhaps in other Primitive Areas. When a bridge is built across the Cedar, it would also allow bicyclists to ride backcountry from Indian Lake to Newcomb, free of motor vehicles on the majority of the route.
The proposed amendment to permit the use of non-natural materials to construct a bridge over the Cedar River would allow DEC to design and build a bridge that could be smaller and less intrusive than one designed and built with only natural materials. The bridge could be part of a multi-use trail connecting Indian Lake with Minerva, which could be used by hikers, bicyclists, snowmobilers and equestrians.
For more information or to download the proposed amendments to the APSLMP please go to the Agencys website (apa.ny.gov). Please address all written comments 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 written comments to the APA by January 29, 2016.
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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