For Immediate Release: June 26, 2009
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
PARK AGENCY ACCEPTING WRITTEN COMMENTS THROUGH AUGUST 28, 2009
RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is now accepting public comments and will conduct three public hearings regarding proposals to classify and reclassify state lands and water involving the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, Lows Lake Primitive Area, Hitchens Pond Primitive Area, Round Lake Wilderness Area Lows Lake, Hitchens Pond and the Bog River. These areas are located in the northwest part of the Adirondack Park in Hamilton and St. Lawrence Counties.
Public hearings will take place on the following dates at these locations:
Date: Monday, July 13, 2009 Time: 11:00 AM Location: SUNY ESF Ranger School 257 Ranger School Road Wanakena, NY 13695
Date: Monday, July 13, 2009 Time: 5:30 PM Location: Long Lake Town Hall 1204 Main Street Long Lake, NY 12847
Date: Monday, July 20, 2009 Time: 12:00PM Location: NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Room PA 129B 625 Broadway Albany, New York 12233
The hearings will provide the public opportunity to comment on the proposed classification and reclassification actions for State lands and waters. Although the APA encourages the public to attend the hearings, written comments may be sent directly to the APA and will be accepted through August 28, 2009.
Please mail written comments to:
Richard Weber Assistant Planning Director PO Box 99 Ray Brook, NY 12977
Total acreage involved in this proposed action is approximately 12,545 acres.
An estimated 4,384 acres of State land and water would be classified as Wilderness. This would involve five State land classification proposals that include recently acquired State lands on the south shore of Lows Lake and lands north of Bog Lake along with the lake bed and waters of Lows Lake, Hitchens Pond and the Bog River.
In addition, approximately 8,161 acres of state land would be reclassified from Primitive to Wilderness. The Lows Lake Primitive Area, Hitchens Pond Primitive Area and Tomar Pond Primitive Corridor would change from Primitive to Wilderness.
This proposed action also includes the creation of a new unit with a Primitive classification to accommodate State Land Master Plan non-conforming structures in Wilderness (dams) and continued motorized access to private in-holdings.
One additional alternative under consideration would include the proposed Wilderness classification for the lake bed and waters of Bog Lake, with an estimated area of 221 acres. This action only involves classification and reclassification of State lands pursuant to the provisions of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.
A description of the proposed action is available for download from the Adirondack Park Agency’s website at www.apa.state.ny.us. Hard copy materials may be viewed at the Adirondack Park Agency’s headquarters in Ray Brook.
For further information regarding the proposed classification, contact Richard Weber at (518)891-4050.
The New York State Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 by the State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Adirondack Park. With its headquarters located in Ray Brook, the Agency also operates two Visitor Interpretive Centers, in Newcomb and Paul Smiths. For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.state.ny.us.
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