According to a press release issued by DEC, on January 23rd, while conducting a snowmobile patrol on trails in the Town of Caroga, Environmental Conservation Officrs Manns and Hilliard responded to two dangerous snowmobile incidents. [Read more…] about Snowmobile Fire and Crash in Fulton County
snowmobiling
How The Adirondack Forest Preserve Was Motorized
The establishment of the Adirondack Forest Preserve in 1885 was part of growing American appreciation of a back to nature ethic. By the time of the First World War, according to historian Paul Sutter: “Americans produced and consumed voluminous literature on natural and wild themes; they built vacation homes and camps; they initiated a wide variety of programs in scouting and woodcraft; they developed a distinctive hunting culture and ethos; they adopted nature study as a prominent hobby; and the embraced the ‘strenuous life’ that could be found only in the ‘great outdoors.’” [Read more…] about How The Adirondack Forest Preserve Was Motorized
Forest Rangers Rescue Adirondack Snowmobiler
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 Rescue Adirondack Snowmobiler
Advocates Divided Over Tree Cutting In Adirondack Park
The Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) have moved to jointly file an amicus brief in support of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in a case now being heard at the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.
Protect the Adirondacks (Protect) was recently granted a 4-1 decision by the Appellate Division, Third Department, that Class II Community Community snowmobile trail construction resulted in an unconstitutional destruction of trees on the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Protect is now defending that decision against an appeal by the state. [Read more…] about Advocates Divided Over Tree Cutting In Adirondack Park
Charbot Germain’s Wrong Turn: An Adirondack Trucking Story
On December 15, 1973, Canadian Charbot Germain attempted to drive his tractor-trailer from Stony Creek to Utica. It didn’t go well.
It started out as tales of the lost often do, with directions from a local.
They suggested Germain shorten his trip by taking Route 8 from the Northway toward North Creek. He found himself instead in Stony Creek, headed down the rough Harrisburg Road in the dark. [Read more…] about Charbot Germain’s Wrong Turn: An Adirondack Trucking Story
Comments Sought On Removal of Historic Adirondack Camp
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have announced a 60-day joint public comment period on the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for the Debar Mountain Complex (DMC) Draft Unit Management Plan and a proposal to reclassify approximately 41 acres of the Wild Forest as Intensive Use.
The plan would also demolish and remove a rustic 1940s Adirondack camp at the north end of Debar Pond that is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Removal of Historic Adirondack Camp
Comments Sought On Herkimer County Easement Plans
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced they are seeking public input on the development of a draft Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement, a privately-owned conservation easement encompassing approximately 3,350 acres in the town of Webb, Herkimer County. [Read more…] about Comments Sought On Herkimer County Easement Plans
Former NY Central Adirondack Division Rails Being Removed
The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun tearing up the former NY Central Adirondack Division tracks connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, part of a $1.9 million State project to build a rail trial suitable for use by bicyclists and snowmobilers.
The 34-mile rail corridor being removed was key to a once-thriving 119-mile railroad which operated almost continuously from 1892 until 1972, first as the Mohawk & Malone, and then by the New York Central starting in 1913. [Read more…] about Former NY Central Adirondack Division Rails Being Removed
Croghan Tract Easement Final Recreation Plan Released
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a final Recreation Management Plan (RMP) for the Croghan Tract Conservation Easement.
The Croghan Tract Easement is comprised of 12,816 acres of private forestland in the towns of Croghan and Watson in Lewis County. [Read more…] about Croghan Tract Easement Final Recreation Plan Released
36 Bridges Replaced Along 100-Mile Brookfield Trail System
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the completion of a three-year project to reconstruct 36 bridge crossings along the Brookfield Trail System in the towns of Hamilton and Brookfield, Madison County. The popular recreation trails provide more than 100 miles of opportunity for hikers, equestrians, snowmobilers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. [Read more…] about 36 Bridges Replaced Along 100-Mile Brookfield Trail System