Funding for New York’s public lands has been increased in the finalized FY2026 budget. The Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) will receive a record $425 million, with capital funding maintained at $200 million for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and $90 million for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. [Read more…] about Funding for New York’s Public Lands Increased
Kathy Hochul
Adirondack History, Diversity, Environment Efforts Funded by State Budget
The NYS Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul have approved a state budget that boosts the Environmental Protection Fund by $25 million to a record level of $425 million, while also providing $500 million for municipal clean water projects/septic system replacement, funding for a comprehensive study of climate impacts on Adirondack lake ecosystems, and a new recreation carrying-capacity study for the popular Saranac Chain of Lakes. Adirondack history and diversity efforts have also been given a boost. [Read more…] about Adirondack History, Diversity, Environment Efforts Funded by State Budget
When the Parade Passes By: A Saranac Lake & APA Commentary
Like a slow-moving homecoming parade, the process begun three years ago to relocate the Adirondack Park Agency’s headquarters from Ray Brook four miles west to the Village of Saranac Lake is approaching a critical juncture.
The agency’s final destination will depend largely on choices made in New York’s FY 2026 budget, due April first. [Read more…] about When the Parade Passes By: A Saranac Lake & APA Commentary
Governor Hochul Vows to Save Penn Station Neighborhood
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters last week that she opposed Amtrak’s plan to destroy the block south of Penn Station to build a $16-$17 billion underground terminal for New Jersey Transit.
“I’m not going to destroy this neighborhood,” Hochul said. “We can do the station itself… make it something we’re proud of… without destroying a neighborhood in the process.” [Read more…] about Governor Hochul Vows to Save Penn Station Neighborhood
State Agencies Assess the Impact of Energy Tariff Threats
The Department of Public Service (DPS), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) responded to Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent directive to review the federal energy tariffs and Canadian retaliation that have caused instability in capital markets and threatens to destabilize New York’s energy markets and drive up electricity and heating costs. [Read more…] about State Agencies Assess the Impact of Energy Tariff Threats
Amanda Lefton Nominated to Lead Department of Environmental Conservation
Governor Kathy Hochul has nominated Amanda Lefton as Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Lefton’s career spans the public and private sectors, including previously serving as the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior. [Read more…] about Amanda Lefton Nominated to Lead Department of Environmental Conservation
Adirondack Park Agency Staff: ‘We Have A Hostile and Toxic Work Environment’
On February 12, 2025, the regional field representative for the Public Employees Federation (PEF), the union representing approximately 50,000 State employees with professional, scientific and technical responsibilities, sent an email to each of the eleven members of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) Board.
Attached to the email was a letter, on PEF letterhead and sent on behalf of twenty APA staff members, regarding an alleged “hostile and toxic work environment” at the APA. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Agency Staff: ‘We Have A Hostile and Toxic Work Environment’
Changes To Vital Records Access Prompts Calls for Advocacy
Obtaining genealogical and certified vital records from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) is already subject to long wait times. Now, the New York State Fiscal Year 2025-26 Executive Budget Proposal by Governor Kathy Hochul includes a bill that would amend the current public health law regarding access to and fees for New York State vital records, which will make access even more difficult. [Read more…] about Changes To Vital Records Access Prompts Calls for Advocacy
State Parks Sees Another Record-Breaking Year
State parks, historic sites, campgrounds and trails operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) saw a record 88.3 million visits in 2024, according to the office of Governor Kathy Hochul. [Read more…] about State Parks Sees Another Record-Breaking Year
Governor Hochul’s Proposals Include State Museum, Albany Waterfront
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she wants to spend $400 million to revitalize Albany, including committing $150 million to the State Museum and $35 million to move soon to be announced proposals to re-imagine some of Albany’s Hudson River waterfront into the design phase. [Read more…] about Governor Hochul’s Proposals Include State Museum, Albany Waterfront
Dave Gibson: 10 Questions Challenging Business as Usual at APA
The Adirondack Park Agency’s monthly public comment opportunities and long list of permits issued during the year are duly posted on the APA website.
This posting of basic Agency information is positive. However, behind the apparent conduct of business as usual are important questions facing the Agency and its state executive and legislative oversight in 2025, among them: [Read more…] about Dave Gibson: 10 Questions Challenging Business as Usual at APA
Sojourner Truth Day Declared in New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation S1480-A/A6583-A to establish November 26th as Sojourner Truth Day in the State of New York, named in honor of the legendary abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who was born in Ulster County.
Sojourner Truth was born in the Hudson Valley in 1797 and was enslaved in New York until she escaped in 1826. [Read more…] about Sojourner Truth Day Declared in New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul Vetoes Safe Wildlife Crossings Act
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed the Safe Wildlife Crossings Act, a bill designed to make highways safer for motorists and wildlife with purpose-built crossings in the New York’s North Country. The bill would have required the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYS Thruway Authority to conduct studies to determine the most hazardous areas of highways for vehicle-animal collisions and develop a plan to reduce those hazards. [Read more…] about Governor Kathy Hochul Vetoes Safe Wildlife Crossings Act
Calls for Governor Hochul to Protect Whitney Estate: A Historical Perspective
Eight conservation organizations called on Governor Kathy Hochul this week to act swiftly to protect 36,000 acres of forests, lakes and rivers in the Central Adirondacks owned by heirs to the vast Whitney and Vanderbilt family fortunes.
The Whitney estate, a vast tract of some of the most ecologically sensitive lands in the Adirondack Park known as Whitney Park, contains 22 lakes and ponds with more than 100 miles of undeveloped shorelines, connected by navigable rivers and streams in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. [Read more…] about Calls for Governor Hochul to Protect Whitney Estate: A Historical Perspective
43rd Edition of Adirondack State of the Park Report Issued
The 43rd Edition of Adirondack Council’s State of the Park Report has been released October 8, 2024.
The Report is the Adirondack Council’s comprehensive annual assessment of environmental conditions, social issues and government actions for the largest park in the contiguous United States. Its current 43 editions serve as an almanac of important events and decisions in the Adirondacks, affecting generations of New York residents. [Read more…] about 43rd Edition of Adirondack State of the Park Report Issued
Bearing Responsibility for the State Land Master Plan
Former member of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and former chair of its State Land Committee, Dick Booth, offered this advice about the most significant, controversial legal issues facing APA during his time (2008-16): prioritize, anticipate, prepare, be transparent, and issue explanatory memoranda placing the matter in legal context and how the contemplated actions complied with the law: the APA Act or the State Land Master Plan. Booth argued that those memos should be publicly accessible.
In too many instances, Booth’s advice was ignored. [Read more…] about Bearing Responsibility for the State Land Master Plan
Adirondack Council State of the Park Preview Highlights
The Adirondack Park is awaiting action from Governor Kathy Hochul on several important decisions including the fate of legislation designed to protect wildlife from automobiles and her appointees to the Adirondack Park Agency’s board, according to a preview of the Adirondack Council’s annual State of the Park Report.
The 43rd Edition of State of the Park is due out next week, the theme “Poised for Action,” reflecting both a desire for the Governor to act and the need for the Adirondack Council to increase advocacy efforts on multiple fronts in the year ahead. [Read more…] about Adirondack Council State of the Park Preview Highlights
What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?
Historic preservation advocates say yesterday’s Crain’s New York Business question, “What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?,” deserves an answer. It’s been more than a year since New York State Governor Kathy Hochul offered public comments on Penn Station and said she would welcome private development proposals. [Read more…] about What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?
DEC, State Parks Offer 30×30 Conservation Strategy for Public Review
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) have released a proposed strategy document for implementing New York’s commitment to support the national goal of conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. [Read more…] about DEC, State Parks Offer 30×30 Conservation Strategy for Public Review
Huckleberry Mountain Addition to Lake George Wild Forest Approved
The 837-acre Huckleberry Mountain Forest tract in Warrensburg, Warren County, which New York State acquired from the Open Space Institute in 2017, is now officially part of the Lake George Wild Forest and will be subject to the strictures of an updated Lake George Wild Forest Unit Management Plan.
On March 25, Governor Kathy Hochul approved the 2023-24 Adirondack Park State Land classification package, as required by the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, which the New York State legislature approved in 1972. [Read more…] about Huckleberry Mountain Addition to Lake George Wild Forest Approved