Adirondack Park Agency eyes master plan updates in New York

Ray Brook, N.Y. — The Adirondack Park Agency has proposed amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, which include adding language addressing accessibility, climate change, and visitor use management in the Forest Preserve.

The package also includes a state land classification for the recently acquired Four Peaks Tract. Agency staff presented the proposed amendments package to the APA Board at its September 12, 2024 meeting.

To facilitate public input, a 60-day public comment period is currently in place with public comments welcome through Dec. 2. The agency will also hold three public hearing sessions will be held on October 22, 23, and 29 where oral and written comments will be accepted.

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Highlights of the Proposed APSLMP Amendments include:

• Classification of the recently acquired 585-acre Four Peaks Tract in the Towns of Wilmington and Jay. The parcel connects to the Beaver Brook Tract—part of the Wilmington Wild Forest—and contains a diverse array of meadowlands and mountains;

• Alterations to the Introduction, including new sections on accessibility and climate change;

• Alterations to the Unit Management Plan Development section, that highlight the Visitor Use Management framework;

• Alterations to the definition of the Historic land classification;

• The addition of new definitions and amendments to existing definitions, including beaver control structures, other power-driven mobility devices, wheelchairs, motor vehicles, primitive tent sites, and wildlife management structures;

• Alterations to the Guidelines for Management and Use in various land classifications;

• Alteration of Area Descriptions to reflect the newly acquired Four Peaks Tract.;

The proposed amendments as well as detailed maps of the Four Peaks Tract are available on the APA’s website.

Meetings

A virtual public hearing will be held Oct. 22 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. The link is https://tinyurl.com/APASLMPHearing Or call: 1-518-549-0500 The access code is 2345 870 9968. To make a public comment during a virtual public hearing, please email your name and the phone number used to connect toLcontact@apa.ny.gov

An in-person meeting will be held Oct. 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whiteface Mountain’s – Ausable Room, in Wilmington. Another will be held Oct. 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Public Hearing Room in Albany.

Written comments should be sent by Dec. 2 to: Megan Phillips, Deputy Director, Planning, Adirondack Park Agency, PO Box 99, 1133 State Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977. Comments can also be sent via email to: SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov.