For Immediate Release: May 17, 2022
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency Board, at its May 2022 meeting, authorized a 60-day public comment period to solicit comments to help inform the Board’s interpretation of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan’s Wild Forest Basic Guideline No. 4 – no material increase of road mileage on lands classified as Wild Forest.
The Agency will accept public comment until July 12, 2022. All public comment will be shared with the Department of Environmental Conservation, who the Agency works in consultation with on Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan implementation.
Wild Forest Basic Guideline No. 4 states:
Public use of motor vehicles will not be encouraged and there will not be any material increase in the mileage of roads and snowmobile trails open to motorized use by the public in wild forest areas that conformed to the master plan at the time of its original adoption in 1972.
The Agency is seeking comments regarding the following interpretations of the State Land Master Plan:
1. What was the existing road mileage on lands classified as Wild Forest in 1972? What is the existing road mileage on lands classified as Wild Forest today?
2. What constitutes a material increase in road mileage?
3. Does the Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner’s Policy-3 mileage meet the definition of a road in the SLMP and therefore require inclusion in the total Wild Forest road mileage calculation?
DEC's Commissioner Policy 3 (or “CP-3”) allows DEC to issue permits to qualifying people with disabilities authorizing motor vehicle access on certain specified State lands under DEC’s jurisdiction. The policy can be viewed on DEC’s website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/76213.html.
The interpretation of Basic Guideline No. 4 will establish a baseline for road mileage on Wild Forest classified lands. The interpretation of this guideline of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan will better inform and support the development of Unit Management Plans (UMPs) that conform with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
To review all materials presented to the Agency Board by Agency and Department staff please visit:
Adirondack Park Agency State Land Monthly Mailing (https://www.apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2022/05/stateLand.htm)
To view the staff presentation to the Agency State Land Committee please visit:
Adirondack Park Agency Live and Archived Media http://nysapa.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
The Agency will hold a public information meeting on this matter. Staff will provide an overview of the no material increase of road mileage on Wild Forest basic guideline. The public information meeting will also include an opportunity for the public to comment. Dates for this session will be announced once scheduling is finalized.
Please address all written comments to:
Megan Phillips, Deputy Director for Planning
Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Phone: (518) 891-4050
Email: SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov
All comments must be received by July 12, 2022.