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 Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comment for proposed amendments to the Camp Santanoni Historic Area Unit Management Plan (UMP). Camp Santanoni is located north of the Town of Newcomb in Essex County.
The boundaries of the Historic Area encompass a total of 32.2 acres of land and include: the Gate Lodge Complex, the Farm Complex, the Main Camp Complex and the Newcomb Lake Road. The purpose of this UMP is to establish a management regime to preserve the important historic structures and maintain improvements to Camp Santanoni in a manner that enhances the public's enjoyment and understanding of the Forest Preserve.
The APA will accept public comments regarding the conformance of the proposed amendments to the guidelines and criteria of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP). The public comment period will run through January 29, 2016.
Camp Santanoni was created by Robert C. Pruyn (18471934), a successful Albany banker and businessman. The National Historic Landmark nomination characterized Camp Santanoni as one of the most sophisticated and distinguished of all of the surviving great camps. Whole log construction and rustic styling was used to build this great camp. It contains some of the finest examples of local Adirondack craftsmanship, architectural detail, finishes and decoration. Camp Santanoni is the only great camp entirely in public ownership and stewardship. About half of the original structures remain, including the majority of important buildings.
Management Proposals include to:
General
1. Further commitments to interpretation through the use of limited signage.
2. Enhance fire protection and prevention measures. This will include the installation of a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on all buildings. The ability of the Department of Environmental Conservation to respond to fires and other emergencies will also be enhanced.
3. Complete a "Cultural Landscape Study" to help DEC better understand how landscape modification and management led to the development and operation of Camp Santanoni, and to guide the future management and interpretation of the Historic Area.
Gate Lodge Complex
1. Construct a new pole barn to accommodate operation and maintenance equipment needs.
2. Create a portion of a major snowmobile trail to pass through the Gate Lodge Complex. Public snowmobile use will continue to be prohibited in the historic area except as specified above.
3. Install a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on buildings.
Farm Complex
1. Construct a replica of the Barn on the surviving foundation to restore the interpretive and administrative functions of the complex.
2. Adjust the boundary of the Farm Complex to incorporate the surviving remnants of the apple orchard and vegetable garden comprising about 2.5 acres to be reclassified as Historic and incorporated into the Historic Area. A corresponding area reduction in the boundaries around the main Farm Complex is proposed, with an equal area of 2.5 acres being reclassified to Wild Forest.
3. Manage the landscape of the Farm Complex, as authorized in the 2000 UMP, to maintain the look and feel of a working farm.
4. Installation a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings on buildings.
Main Camp Complex
1. Develop a water source for firefighting at the Duck Hole Bridge on Newcomb Lake.
2. Add a pumpable tank privy or ClivusMultrum toilet to accommodate visitor use.
3. Install a fire alarm system and the employment of fire retardant coatings.
The APSLMP, pursuant to which this UMP was developed, sets forth basic guidelines for the management and use of state land areas which are classified as Historic. In essence, these guidelines require that a Historic Area be managed to preserve the quality and character of the historic resource to the greatest extent feasible in a setting and on a scale in harmony with the relatively wild and undeveloped character of the Adirondack Park.
Historic Areas must be designed, managed and interpreted so as to blend with the Adirondack environment and to have the minimum possible adverse impact on surrounding lands. Any construction or development activities in Historic Areas are required to avoid material alteration of wetlands, minimize extensive topographical alterations, limit vegetative clearing, and preserve the scenic, natural and open space resources of the Historic Area.
For more information or to download the proposed Camp Santanoni Historic Area Unit Management Plan please go to the Agencys website (apa.ny.gov).
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 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. -30-