The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group’s (HPAG) Immediate Action Recommendations Report. The report includes proposed actions that DEC and its State and local partners could undertake, pending available funding and continued partnership, to promote sustainable use of the Adirondacks High Peaks and protect the resource from increased usage. [Read more…] about Adirondack High Peaks Interim Report Issued
DEC
Fire Danger Elevated Across The State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation elevated the Fire Danger across the State on Thursday, to MODERATE across New York State: outdoor fires can burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days.
Practice the utmost safety when burning wood and brush outdoors during our current dry conditions.
Forest Rangers Busy With Wildfires, Lost, Injured Hikers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Busy With Wildfires, Lost, Injured Hikers
Northern Snakeheads In New York State
Its immense reproductive capacity, ability to skulk about on dry land, and avid appetite for all manner of aquatic life (as well as a few terrestrial species) has earned this invasive fish some apt monikers, chief among them Fishzilla and Frankenfish.
The northern snakehead (Channa argus) is a fierce apex predator which hails from southeast Asia, and breeding populations are known to be established in Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and downstate New York. Individual specimens have also been found in eight other states. [Read more…] about Northern Snakeheads In New York State
The Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Facility and Forever Wild
This is the second article in a 5-part series that looks at amendments to Article 14, Section 1, the famed forever wild provision, of the State Constitution. This article looks the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Winter Sports Complex in the Adirondack Park, managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The first piece looked at the recent history of Article 14 amendments.
Protect the Adirondacks has long believed that an amendment to Article 14, Section 1 is needed for the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Winter Olympic Sports Complex currently managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). At Mt. Van Hoevenberg, ORDA currently manages 1,220 acres +/- of Forest Preserve classified as Intensive Use by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA). Abutting these lands is 319 acres of lands owned by the Town of North Elba, Essex County. This complex houses the Olympic bobsled and luge track, cross-country skiing and biathlon trails, and associated facilities. [Read more…] about The Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Facility and Forever Wild
Free Fishing Weekend June 27-28 in NY State
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a Free Fishing Weekend for June 27 – 28. The event is the second of six Free Fishing Days offered in New York State every year. [Read more…] about Free Fishing Weekend June 27-28 in NY State
Forever Wild: New Constitutional Amendments Being Considered
Article 14, Section 1, of the New York Constitution, the famed “forever wild” provision, has been amended 16 times since 1938.
It has been amended five times since 2007, making this period the most active and intensive in Forest Preserve history for amendments.
Several Article 14, Section 1 proposed amendments are being currently being drafted and organized by the Department of Environmental Conservation and administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. [Read more…] about Forever Wild: New Constitutional Amendments Being Considered
20 DEC Campgrounds, Day Use Areas Open Friday
20 of New York State’s DEC campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill parks will open on June 19 for the 2020 season. [Read more…] about 20 DEC Campgrounds, Day Use Areas Open Friday
Forest Rangers Respond To Wildfires, Lost, Injured Hikers
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond To Wildfires, Lost, Injured Hikers
Newly Appointed Adirondack Park Leadership Remains Lopsided
The protection and planning for the Adirondack Park’s six million acres, one-fifth of the state, rests in large measure on the motivation and independence of the Adirondack Park Agency’s staff and board members in Ray Brook (APA).
Seven members were just nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo and subsequently confirmed to sit at the APA’s table by the NY State Senate.
How should we think about them? How should we think about them in light of Governor Cuomo’s challenge to re-imagine and improve public policies and practices – to “build back better?” [Read more…] about Newly Appointed Adirondack Park Leadership Remains Lopsided