For Immediate Release: May 26, 2023
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) Board rendered an important Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP) interpretation at its May 11th, 2023, board meeting regarding road mileage on Wild Forest classified lands in the Adirondack Park. The board determined a baseline for road mileage that existed on Wild Forest in 1972, and an increase in mileage that could be added while remaining in compliance with the APSLMP. This action will allow APA and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) staff to move forward with clarity on the development of unit management plans that include Wild Forest classified lands.
"The greatness of the Adirondack Park is fundamentally rooted in the interdependence of the public and private regional land use plans. So, it is very fitting that this contentious State Land interpretation was resolved during the month in which we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legislative approval for the Adirondack Park Private Land Use and Development Plan", said APA Chair John Ernst. "After an extensive vetting of science, facts, the law, and with careful consideration of passionate public comments, the Board rendered an interpretation on a long unresolved and complex issue. Our decision is in conformance with the law we are charged to administer, fully respects the intent and guidelines of the APSLMP, and includes the necessary flexibility to ensure a diverse array of recreational uses can be accommodated through the unit management planning process for persons of all abilities."
Over the past year, APA and DEC presented detailed information and multiple alternatives to the Board during five monthly APA board meetings, conducted two public comment periods, and held two public information sessions to solicit public input. The agency received 342 public comments.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "This interpretation strikes a balance between protecting the Forest Preserve and ensuring people of all abilities continue to have access to this spectacular resource. I commend staff from both DEC and APA for working together to provide accurate information and expert analysis of the various factors that informed the APA Board’s findings."
After thorough analysis and extensive debate, the APA Board determined:
- The estimated road mileage in 1972 on Wild Forest was 211.6 miles and the present-day mileage not including CP-3 routes is 206.6 miles;
- Galusha Consent Decree CP-3 mileage does not meet the definition of a road per the APSLMP and will not be counted;
- Non Galusha CP-3 mileage does meet the road definition and will count;
- There are 16.5 miles of non Galusha CP-3 routes that were approved in unit management plans but are not yet open;
- The total mileage of roads on Wild Forest lands that meet the APSLMP definition of a road is 223.1 miles;
- A mileage increase of up to 11.6% does not constitute a material increase (No Material Increase Alternative 3 – Increase <15%);
- The total allowable mileage of roads on Wild Forest lands will be 236.1 miles.
This interpretation allows for 13.0 miles of additional public roads and/or CP-3 routes to be considered in future unit management plans on current Wild Forest Lands and any possible acquisitions that may be classified as Wild Forest. Total allowable mileage will not change due to additions of Wild Forest acreages through future acquisition or reclassifications. Allowable mileage could only be changed by subsequent APSLMP interpretations by the APA Board.
Wild Forest is defined in the APSLMP as an area where the resources permit a somewhat higher degree of human use than in wilderness, primitive or canoe areas, while retaining an essentially wild character. A wild forest area is further defined as an area that frequently lacks the sense of remoteness of wilderness, primitive or canoe areas and that permits a wide variety of outdoor recreation. Motorized use is allowed in Wild Forest as directed by the APSLMP and managed through unit management plans. Wild Forest is the largest public land area classification in the Adirondack Park comprising 1,324,025 acres. The APSLMP recognizes the responsibility of the Adirondack Park Agency for long-range planning and the establishment of basic policy for State lands in the Adirondack Park in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation including the need to interpret the Master Plan. The Agency has the authority to establish general guidelines and criteria for the management of State lands, and under the State Administrative Procedure Act guidelines to provide direction and guidance to Agency and DEC staff on how to implement the guidelines of the Master Plan.
For more information and to review the May 2023 presentation on this interpretation please see:
https://www.apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2023/05/StateLand.htm