For Immediate Release: December 7, 2007
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, December 13 and Friday, December 14 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY.
The Full Agency will convene on Thursday morning at 9:00am for the Interim Executive Director’s monthly report. Mr. Sengenberger will introduce new staff and recognize James Connolly and Nancy Heath for each achieving 25 years of State service.
At 9:15, the Regulatory Programs Committee will consider approval of three projects. Verizon Wireless proposes a new 84-foot telecommunications tower with a12 panel antenna array and 10-foot lightning rod attached. The proposed tower is one of thirteen that Verizon ultimately will submit for agency approval to improve telecommunications along the Northway corridor. The proposed project is located on the east side of US Route 9, in the Town of North Hudson, Essex County. Key issues include visibility and compliance with the Agency’s Towers Policy.
The committee will also consider a shoreline structure setback variance and permit. The action involves the proposed residential use of a pre-existing church within the 150 foot setback of the Boquet River, which is a designated recreational river under the NYS Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Systems Act. The structure is located in the Town of Westport, Essex County.
The third project before the committee is the first of a two-phase shared-use recreational, multi season path. The path travels along and within the NYS Department of Transportation Remsen to Lake Placid Railroad (Adirondack Scenic Railroad) right-of-way leading from the Village of Lake Placid to the Village of Saranac Lake. The first phase would extend approximately 4.5 miles from Old Military Road to its intersection with the Scarface Mountain Trail near the community of Ray Brook. The project is located in the Town of North Elba, Essex County. Key issues include wetland impacts, shared use and open space/aesthetics.
At 10:45, the Enforcement Committee will convene for a second reading of the Draft Civil Penalty Guidelines. The purpose of these guidelines is to assist Agency staff in determining appropriate penalties for violations of the Executive Law, the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), and the Agency's regulations, permits, variances and settlements.
At 11:30, the Park Policy and Planning Committee will act on two technical map amendments for lands erroneously delineated on the Official Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map. The proposed map amendment are technical in nature and seek to correct the present designation shown as private land on the Official Map when, they are, in fact, owned by the State of New York.
Adirondack Park Agency staff will also request authorization from the Committee to conduct public hearings on the proposed reclassification of State land, from the current classification of Wild Forest to State Administrative. This proposed reclassification of State lands is designed to appropriately classify 6.4± acres of land, which has been under the jurisdiction of the NYS Department of Transportation since February 1986. The NYSDOT intends to use an existing gravel pit on this site for the disposal of spoil material generated from road maintenance projects.
At 1:00, the State Land Committee will receive a briefing from Carole Fraser of the Department of Environmental Conservation on projects undertaken on Forest Preserve to improve access for people with disabilities. DEC staff will also present an overview on the North Country Scenic Trail proposed route.
At 2:30, the Interpretive Programs Committee will review the Interpretive Programs strategic plan and discuss possible new directions for the Paul Smiths and Newcomb Visitor Interpretive Centers. Valerie Trudeau, President of the Adirondack Park Institute, will conclude the committee meeting with a briefing on the mission and role of the Adirondack Park Institute.
At 3:30, the Full Board will convene for a presentation by J. R. Risley, President of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages and Brian Houseal, Adirondack Council Executive Director. They will describe efforts by the Common Ground Alliance to implement "Blueprint for the Blue Line" a plan to provide assistance to the Park's communities, their economies and the environment through government actions.
Thursday’s meeting will conclude with the Agency Board recognizing Town of Inlet Supervisor and President of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages J. R. Risley for his contributions to the Adirondack Park.
On Friday, December 14 at 9:00am, the Full Agency will hear two presentations from the Department of Transportation. Michael S. Shamma, Region 2 Regional Director will provide a follow up briefing on planned alternatives related to the discontinuation of the rustic guardrail. Ed Frantz, DOT’s Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve Manager, will detail the Department’s railroad herbicide treatments.
At 10:30, the Full Agency will convene for committee reports and to take actions as necessary.
Meeting materials are available for download from the Agency’s website at:
http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Mailing/0712/index.htm
The next Agency meeting is January 10-11, 2008 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.
FEBRUARY AGENCY MEETING – February 7-8, 2008 - Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters