APA Logo

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2001

Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050


June Agency Meeting News


Agency approves Newcomb golf course and Whiteface UMP; Accepts draft revision of Enforcement Regulations

RAY BROOK - At this month’s regular Adirondack Park Agency (APA) meeting, held at its headquarters in Ray Brook, Agency members approved a Local Land Use Plan in Chesterfield; a Unit Management Plan Amendment for Whiteface Mountain and plans for a new golf-course in the Town of Newcomb. Agency members also granted a shoreline variance for business in Saranac Lake; accepted a draft on new enforcement rules and regulations, and heard a panel discussion regarding issues and trends in the region’s forest products industry.

Beginning on Wednesday, June 13th at 1 p.m., APA members were updated on the strategic actions Agency staff initiated 18 months ago. Among those initiatives were public outreach efforts, revised permit applications and an improved enforcement process.

“The Agency and this staff have been dedicated to the mission, goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan,” said APA Executive Director Daniel T. Fitts, “And as a result, we’ve closed over half of the backlogged open enforcement files and improved the permit application process. We are in the process of revising our Citizens Guide and updating our Web site. We also recently held our sixth public outreach meeting in St. Lawrence County.”

Another of the Strategic Plan’s initiatives is the draft revised enforcement regulations that the Agency accepted for review on Friday, June 15th. The current 20-page document will undergo a lengthy review process before it is accepted by the Agency. The draft regulations closely track the framework established by the three statutes administered by the Agency: The Adirondack Park Agency Act, the New York State Freshwater and Wetlands Act and the New York State Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act.

“The revision of the Agency’s existing enforcement regulations is a high priority and we have therefore moved it forward in the regulatory revision sequence,” APA Chairman Richard H. Lefebvre said. “Staff has undertaken a hard look at the enforcement program, including applicable legal authorities and operational issues to produce this draft.”

On Thursday, June 14th, Local Government Services Committee Co-Chair Frank Mezzano welcomed Chesterfield Supervisor Gerald Morrow and Essex County Planning Director Bill Johnston to the meeting for review of their proposed local land-use plan. The approval of the Chesterfield program transfers authority over Class B regional projects to the town, once the town adopts the revised program. On Friday, the full Agency unanimously approved the program, making Chesterfield the 16th community in the Park to have an Agency approved local land-use program.

Also, on Friday, the full Agency unanimously approved plans for a nine-hole golf course in the Town of Newcomb. The Town of Newcomb was granted a permit, with conditions, authorizing a nine-hole golf course. The 99-acre area is classified as Hamlet and Rural Use according to the Official Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map, and was located within one-quarter mile of a designated recreational river, the Hudson River. The town’s course designer avoided any grading or filling of the 32 acres of wetlands on that site and setback the course more than 650 feet from the Hudson River. An integrated pest management plan and storm water plan was developed to control drainage of fertilizers and pesticides from contaminating groundwater or wetlands.

Members also unanimously approved an amendment to the Whiteface Mountain ski area Unit Management Plan (UMP) which makes adjustments to a previously approved trail to meet international standards for competitive events. Agency members also approved the proposed policy that clarifies timelines and procedures for the Agency’s review of UMP’s in the Adirondack Park. The policy establishes a maximum 45 day review period for the initial draft of a unit management plan. It sets out reporting and consultation procedures between Agency staff and the board and establishes a preference for a two-meeting cycle for final review of a UMP.

The full board also unanimously approved a shoreline setback variance to St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake, which will allow ready access to the Saranac River for canoe and kayak demonstrations.

On Friday, Agency members heard a presentation and panel discussion on the issues and trends in the region’s forest products industry. Dr. Edwin White, Dean of Research at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University; Carl Golas, Wood Product Specialist with Adirondack North Country Association and Pieter Litchfield, President of Litchfield Park Corporation comprised the expert panel that provided the Agency with an update on the forest products industry. Panelists discussed the various components of the industry including pulp and paper and solid wood products manufacturing, forestry, and trends in forest land management. An emerging economic opportunity to produce liquid fuel, byproducts, and other chemicals from wood, was also discussed.

The next APA meeting will be held on July 12th and 13th, at its headquarters in Ray Brook.