The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) held three public hearings in July 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. The Agency will hold an additional hearing on August 10, 2009 at its Ray Brook headquarters and will continue to accept written public comments through August 28,2009.

The final public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Adirondack Park Agency in Ray Brook.

Here is the APA’s description of the proposed changes:

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.

In addition, this proposed action creates a new Primitive area to comply with the State Land Master Plan criteria for non-conforming structures. It also ensures continued motorized access for the private in-holding landowners to and from their property. Furthermore, it is important to note the Primitive classification protects private land owners’ riparian access rights.

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.