The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will meet on Thursday and Friday (November 12th and 13th) at APA Headquarters in Ray Brook to consider the temporary re-opening of the Big Tupper Ski Area, reconstruction and widening of Route 28 in Oneida County, and more. Amendments to the park’s land use maps will also be considered, including whether to set a public hearing for the re-classification of about 31,570 acres.

The November meeting will be webcast live at teh agency’s homepage at http://www.apa.state.ny.us; meeting materials are available online. Here is the meeting agenda as provided by the APA:

The Full Agency will convene on Thursday morning at 9:00 with Executive Director Terry Martino’s report highlighting monthly activity.

At 9:30, the Regulatory Programs Committee will determine approvability for the temporary re-opening of the Big Tupper Ski Hill in the Town of Tupper Lake, Franklin County and NYS Department of Transportation/National Grid proposed reconstruction of 0.8 miles of NYS Route 28 in the Town of Forestport, Oneida County.

The Committee will consider an application from ARISE for the temporary re-use of portions of the Big Tupper ski center. The ski center will primarily operate 9 AM to 4 PM, Friday thru Sunday and holidays. ARISE proposes to operate one chair lift and one rope tow along with portions of the existing lodge, maintenance garage, safety patrol building and lift buildings.

The Committee will also consider NYS Department of Transportation and National Grids proposal for an 0.8 mile component of their larger road resurfacing and construction project planed for State Route 28 in Oneida County. The project under review begins at the Adirondack Park boundary in the Town of Forestport. There will be utility relocations throughout the 0.8 mile reconstruction section to provide a minimum offset from the edge of travel lane of 16 feet. In addition, a vegetation management area extending 37.5 feet from the centerline of the relocated poles is proposed as part of the utility relocation project. The new poles will be 56.5 feet above the finish grade throughout the reconstruction portion of the project within the Park and there will be transmission, distribution and other communications cables on the poles.

The Committee meeting will conclude with a discussion of ongoing review of telecommunication projects.

At 11:00, the Park Ecology Committee will discuss an Agency proposed resolution to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species into and within the waters of New York State in order to preserve aquatic native species populations, biodiversity and aquatic recreational activities.

At 1:00, The State Land Committee will consider authorizing Agency staff to conduct public hearings to solicit public comments regarding the 2009 State Land Classification Package. The proposal involves the classification of 94 distinct projects totaling an estimated 31,570 acres and was developed in careful consultation with DEC staff.

The Committee will also consider whether APA/DEC proposed Snowmobile Trail Siting, Construction and Maintenance Guidance is consistent with provisions of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.

The Committee meeting will conclude with reconsideration for the proposed classification/reclassifications of state lands in the vicinity of Lows Lake and the Five Ponds Wilderness Area.

At 3:30, the Legal Affairs Committee will hear updates on public notices and hearings for boathouse and dock regulations and definitions.

At 4:00, the Enforcement Committee will come to order for administrative enforcement proceedings related to alleged permit violations resulting in substandard lot subdivision violations in the Town of Mayfield, Fulton County and the Town of Watson, Lewis County.

On Friday morning at 9:00, the Park Planning Committee will consider an Agency initiated map amendment proposal for the Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County. The proposed amendment would result in the reclassification of 60 acres of Resource Management to Low Intensity Use. Town of Fine Supervisor Mark Hall identified this issue during his Community Spotlight presentation in March.

The Committee will also consider nine technical map amendments which would reclassify State lands that are incorrectly identified as private lands on the Official Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan Map. The technical map amendments involve 9 separate parcels in the towns of Keene, Duane, Webb, Peru, Stratford, Chesterfield, Ticonderoga, Hague and Colton.

At 10:00, Town of Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava has been invited to be the guest speaker for the Community Spotlight presentation. Supervisor Scozzafava will provide an overview of his community and highlight important issues facing this Essex County town.

At 10:45, the Full Agency will convene to take action as necessary and conclude the meeting with committee reports, public and Agency Board member comments.

The next Agency meeting is December 10-11, 2009, at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters.