Emergency Projects
Disclaimer: This page is intended to provide general information regarding Agency jurisdiction. Other provisions or restrictions may apply if an Agency permit or variance is required or if the property has previously been subject to Agency review.
This is a supplement to the Citizen's Guide, which provides basic information about Adirondack Park Agency regulations. Please contact the Agency with any questions. For a binding written response as to whether a specific proposal requires Agency review, please submit a Jurisdictional Inquiry Form online or by mail.
Updated: June 17, 2015
Emergency projects are exempt from the Agency’s normal regulatory review. The circumstances under which land use or development will be considered an emergency project is set forth in section 572.15 of Agency regulations. The Agency has two processes for responding to emergencies: the emergency certification, intended for documenting an immediate emergency response, and the emergency recovery authorization, intended for projects required to recover from an emergency.
Emergency Projects:
As defined in 9 NYCRR § 572.15, emergency projects undertaken in response to an emergency do not require Agency approval.
Emergency is defined as a specific event or condition which presents an immediate threat to life or property or a specific storm event or calamity that has been declared to be an emergency by federal or state officials.
Emergency Project is defined as land use or development that is immediately necessary for the protection of life or property and that would otherwise require a permit, order or variance.
Emergency Certifications:
The emergency certification provides written documentation from the Agency acknowledging an emergency and emergency project, and stating that the project was undertaken in full compliance with Agency requirements. Agency review is not required for anyone undertaking emergency land use or development which is immediately necessary for the protection of life or property, and the Agency can issue an emergency certification either before or after the emergency project has been undertaken. In either case, the Agency has 2 business days to respond to requests for emergency certifications.
Emergency Recovery Authorization
The emergency recovery authorization covers additional work necessary once an emergency is over in order to recover from the aftermath of the emergency or to correct work done during the emergency. Issuance by the Agency of an emergency recovery authorization is required before work may commence, but will be provided on an expedited basis.