On March 18, 2026 the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department, in Albany has granted a motion by Adirondack Park advocates for a preliminary injunction preventing LS Marina, LLC (LSM) from installing new docks and dock covers at its two marina sites located on Lower Saranac Lake. The injunction will remain in effect pending resolution of the appeal. [Read more…] about Court Temporarily Halts Adirondack Marina’s Dock Installations
Lower Saranac Lake
Appeal Filed After Court Dismisses Adirondack Carrying Capacity Case
Protect the Adirondacks (PROTECT) has been urging the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for years to conduct a carrying capacity study of the heavily used Saranac Lakes Complex.
After DEC failed to act in response to their formal demand letter, PROTECT filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to compel DEC to complete the required study. [Read more…] about Appeal Filed After Court Dismisses Adirondack Carrying Capacity Case
Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Recover Bodies; Make Rescues; Fight Wildfire
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
Rangers Respond: Several Late Night Rescues, Campground Fire
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. 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 and engage in policing on New York State Lands.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Rangers Respond: Several Late Night Rescues, Campground Fire
Adirondack Crews Restore Portage, Enhance Campsites, Water Access Points
A popular canoe carry and several campsites are the beneficiaries of stewardship work performed by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s crew of professional staff and volunteers.
Work was completed on the Lower Locks portage trail that connects Lower Saranac Lake to Oseetah Pond, thanks to a partnership between the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and local trail stewards. [Read more…] about Adirondack Crews Restore Portage, Enhance Campsites, Water Access Points
A Busy Week of Adirondack Loon Rescues
The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation (ACLC) had a busy week making successful Adirondack loon rescues. ACLC staff and volunteers rescued three distressed common loons (Gavia immer) from July 8-11, 2024, including two grounded loons and one loon with a fish hook embedded in its mouth. [Read more…] about A Busy Week of Adirondack Loon Rescues
EPA Researchers Develop Forecasting for Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms
Freshwater cyanobacteria are found in all lakes and reservoirs, are naturally occurring, and are important to water ecosystems; however, excessive growth of some cyanobacteria can result in harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs, also called cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms or HABs).
These blooms can cause unsightly scums that smell like rotting eggs or septic. Toxins from HCBs can negatively impact people, animals, and the environment. [Read more…] about EPA Researchers Develop Forecasting for Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms
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
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
Saranac Chain of Lakes Upper Locks Getting $1.6M Makeover
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a $1.6 million rehabilitation project for the Upper Locks on the Saranac Chain of Lakes in the Adirondacks. The project is funded by NY Works and will include necessary maintenance and repairs. [Read more…] about Saranac Chain of Lakes Upper Locks Getting $1.6M Makeover
Adirondack Park Wetlands Project Approval Heading To Court
On June 15, 2023, the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), which oversees large or environmentally sensitive developments in thee Adirondack Park, approved a variance application for a commercial marina located in and around wetlands in Crescent and Ampersand Bays on Lower Saranac Lake in the Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County.
Wetlands are critical to conserving water quality, mitigating flooding, and harboring fish and wildlife. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Wetlands Project Approval Heading To Court
Gibson: APA Failed to Ask Critical Questions of Saranac Lake Marina Project
The Adirondack Park Agency’s staff presentation about the variance recently issued for Saranac Lake Marina on Lower Saranac Lake may have been “heroic,” just as APA chair John Ernst stated.
The marina has a lengthy and complex history of regulatory and legal actions related to its actions since 2014 to remove wooden, dilapidated shoreline covered slips that predated the APA Act and replace them with modern boat slips out into the water, among other improvements. [Read more…] about Gibson: APA Failed to Ask Critical Questions of Saranac Lake Marina Project
Court Strikes Down Lower Saranac Lake Marina Permit Issued by APA
The Appellate Division, Third Department has issued a unanimous ruling annulling a permit issued by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for a large-scale expansion of a commercial marina on Lower Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Park.
The decision in Thomas Jorling vs Adirondack Park Agency, et. al. reverses a lower court decision issued by State Supreme Court. [Read more…] about Court Strikes Down Lower Saranac Lake Marina Permit Issued by APA
Gibson: DEC & APA Should Reform Managing Adirondack Lakes and Ponds
At Adirondack Wild’s October meeting at the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center, lakes and ponds came under the spotlight in a panel discussion about Cooperative Stewardship of Adirondack Lakes. Of particular interest was a given lake’s classification and subsequent comprehensive study, planning and management.
If Adirondack waterbodies are considered part of the Forest Preserve, and for the last fifty years the State Land Master Plan talks about land and water, then the law requires that lakes and ponds be classified, just as forests are. That raises important questions. [Read more…] about Gibson: DEC & APA Should Reform Managing Adirondack Lakes and Ponds
Hinckley Reservoir, Fish Creek Campground on APA Agenda
The Adirondack Park Agency will hold its monthly meeting at its headquarters in Ray Brook on Thursday, September 10th and Friday, September 11th, 2020. Thursday’s meeting will begin at 1 pm and Friday’s session will commence at 9:30 am.
In accordance with New York State’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the Coronavirus, the public should use the live Webcast event to watch the meeting. To watch the meeting, visit the APA website and click the September meeting agenda found under News and Activities. [Read more…] about Hinckley Reservoir, Fish Creek Campground on APA Agenda