The Adirondack Council thanked Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for working with Gov. Kathy Hochul to restore what they call key Adirondack priorities in the $237-billion state budget, including money for scientific research and municipal clean water projects. [Read more…] about Most Adirondack Priorities Restored in State Budget
Kathy Hochul
The Adirondacks and ‘The Just Transition’ to a Fossil-Free Future
In December, the global climate conference in Dubai was gaveled to a close with a commitment to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.”
That “just, orderly and equitable” transition will require political fortitude not only from the world’s powers but from governments such as New York State’s and its citizens – us, in other words. [Read more…] about The Adirondacks and ‘The Just Transition’ to a Fossil-Free Future
Percentage of New Yorkers With Mental Illness Rises, While Facility Beds Decline
The mental health needs of New Yorkers have greatly increased, with 21.1% of adults struggling with mental illness and 5.1% with a severe mental illness in 2021-2022, according to federal data. At the same time the State saw a loss of 990 beds, a 10.5% drop in capacity, in inpatient psychiatric facilities statewide between April 2014 and December 2023. [Read more…] about Percentage of New Yorkers With Mental Illness Rises, While Facility Beds Decline
Adirondack Park Land Reclassified To Allow More Motorized Access
Governor Kathy Hochul has approved the 2023-24 Adirondack Park State Land classification package. The action includes 36 state land classifications and changes in classification totaling about 6,250 acres. The majority of these lands are now classified to allow motor vehicle access, including Forest Preserve lands (state lands in the Adirondack Park) formerly classified as Wilderness. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Land Reclassified To Allow More Motorized Access
Legislative Budget Would Restore Funding for Adirondack Park Initiatives
The New York State Senate and Assembly have proposed budgets that will restore funding for critical programs in the Adirondack Park, adds potential funding for road salt management, but leaves out funding for the carrying capacity study required for the Saranac Chain of Lakes. The proposed budgets provide significant funding for Adirondack programs that were reduced or eliminated from the Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget. [Read more…] about Legislative Budget Would Restore Funding for Adirondack Park Initiatives
Advocates: Conduct A Nationwide Search For Next DEC Commissioner
With the news that Basil Seggos, the current Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is going to step down within the next two months, Protect the Adirondacks is calling upon Governor Kathy Hochul to conduct a nationwide search for the next DEC Commissioner.
“With the many challenges facing New York’s environment and DEC’s serious environmental responsibilities, it’s critical that the next DEC Commissioner have a proven track record in successful management of an environmental agency, including assuring transparency and open engagement with the public, and a demonstrated commitment to upholding environmental laws and respecting court decisions,” Protect said in a statement sent to the press. [Read more…] about Advocates: Conduct A Nationwide Search For Next DEC Commissioner
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos Stepping Down
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced he is stepping down in a letter to his staff sent Wednesday. Seggos has led the DEC since he was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in October 2015, and is the longest serving Commissioner in the Department’s history. [Read more…] about DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos Stepping Down
$1.8M For Sate Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Other Public Lands
In January, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $1.8 million in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with the stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites, and other public lands.
The grants support public-private partnerships leveraging private funds for new state park amenities, to engage in state park and historic site maintenance and beautification projects, and to provide educational programming and special events. [Read more…] about $1.8M For Sate Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Other Public Lands
Hamlet of Saranac Lake: Shakespearean Size Adirondack Park Agency Drama
A drama of Shakespearean size is unfolding at the Adirondack Park Agency. As 2024 begins, the regulatory body finds itself wading through legal and ethical issues on a freshwater wetlands at the western edge of the Village of Saranac Lake.
The wetlands flow from the base of Dewey Mountain, under the George LaPan Memorial Highway, along the high school grounds and into Ampersand Bay on Lower Saranac Lake. [Read more…] about Hamlet of Saranac Lake: Shakespearean Size Adirondack Park Agency Drama
Jefferson County Town To Establish Minimum Maintenance Roads
In early December, Governor Kathy Hochul signed bill number A6412/S6249 into law.
The law amends Highway Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law, to establish minimum maintenance roads in the Tug Hill town of Lorraine in Jefferson County, NY. [Read more…] about Jefferson County Town To Establish Minimum Maintenance Roads
2024 Belmont Stakes Will Run At Saratoga This June
The 156th Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, will be run at Saratoga Race Course this spring, according to an announcement by racing officials and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. [Read more…] about 2024 Belmont Stakes Will Run At Saratoga This June
Protect the Adirondacks Releases New Report On NYS “30 by 30” Law
In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “30 by 30” law that establishes a conservation goal for New York State of protecting 30% of the State’s “lands and inland waters” by the year 2030. [Read more…] about Protect the Adirondacks Releases New Report On NYS “30 by 30” Law
20% in 2023: An Assessment of the New York State 30 by 30 Act
In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “30 by 30” law that establishes a conservation goal for New York State of protecting 30% of the State’s “lands and inland waters” by the year 2030.
This landmark environmental protection legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support, passing the State Senate by a vote of 58 to 3, and the State Assembly by a vote of 137 to 8. [Read more…] about 20% in 2023: An Assessment of the New York State 30 by 30 Act
New York State Makes Large Investment in Renewable Energy
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced what she called the largest state investment in renewable energy in United States history.
The conditional awards include three offshore wind and 22 land-based renewable energy projects totaling 6.4 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power 2.6 million New York homes and deliver approximately 12 percent of New York’s electricity needs once completed. [Read more…] about New York State Makes Large Investment in Renewable Energy
Officials Say Adirondack Tourism Thrived During Pandemic
Between 2019 and 2022, through the height (or depths) of the pandemic, tourism exploded in the Lake George region, the Adirondacks and throughout New York State, according to reports released by Governor Kathy Hochul’s office in September. [Read more…] about Officials Say Adirondack Tourism Thrived During Pandemic
New York Changes Sunday Alcohol Blue Laws
On Saturday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation changing New York’s “blue laws” to will allow for the expanded sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, extends the brewer’s license, where alcohol can be served, and more. [Read more…] about New York Changes Sunday Alcohol Blue Laws
Ask Governor Hochul to Support New York’s History
The strength of our combined voices is our superpower. When we come together to speak out on an issue, we can be loud and we can be heard. Sometimes advocating for New York’s history, art, and cultural organizations is the most gratifying part of my job.
Other times, it is the most challenging work I do. [Read more…] about Ask Governor Hochul to Support New York’s History
State Agencies Declare Progress on Reducing Environmental Footprint
The GreenNY Council has released the 11th Greening New York State report (PDF), the first under Executive Order #22, “Leading by Example: Directing State Agencies to Adopt a Sustainability and Decarbonization Program,” signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in September 2022. [Read more…] about State Agencies Declare Progress on Reducing Environmental Footprint
Rifles Being Allowed in Onondaga County This Hunting Season
At the end of July, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law allowing big game hunters to use rifles in Onondaga County. The change will take effect this coming hunting season. Use of rifles for big game hunting remains restricted in Erie, Niagara, Monroe, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties. Suffolk, Westchester, and portions of Albany and Monroe Counties remain bow only. [Read more…] about Rifles Being Allowed in Onondaga County This Hunting Season
2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public
In December 2020, the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act was signed into law, creating the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. The Task Force was organized in 2021, led by Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Transportation (DOT), and completed its deliberations by late 2022.
As a new winter and road salt season approaches there has been no news or public information about the report, which has apparently been drafted for months. [Read more…] about 2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public