The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will hold a series of public hearings to solicit public comments for State Land classification and reclassification proposals.

The action involves proposals for State Lands in all 12 counties in the Park, including the recently acquired Boreas Ponds Tract.

The 2016-2017 classification package includes 33 State Land classification proposals totaling approximately 50,827 acres, 13 State Land reclassifications totaling an estimated 1,642 acres, and a number of classifications involving map corrections (1,949 acres).

Highlights of the Proposed State Land Classification Actions

The Boreas Pond Tract is located in the Towns of Newcomb and North Hudson, Essex County. The total area involved is 20,543 acres. The tract is south of the High Peaks Wilderness Area and includes a number of water bodies, large wetland complexes and numerous mountains. Three classifications were proposed for the Boreas Pond Tract. Following critical public reaction, the Agency Board added a fourth alternative classification. All of the alternatives include a combination of Wilderness, Wild Forest and State Administrative classifications. Alternative four would establish a new 118 acre Primitive Area. The proposed alternatives would result in the potential for approximately 10,178 – 16,006 acres of Wilderness, 5,755 – 10,364 acres of Wild Forest, 118 acres of Primitive and 2 acres of State Administrative.

The MacIntyre West Tract is located in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County. The total area involved is approximately 7,368 acres. The MacIntyre West Tract abuts the High Peaks Wilderness Area. It is proposed to be classified as Wilderness (7,365 acres) and added to the High Peaks unit. There is a retained right of way mapped as Boulder Alley Road which loops through the southern portion of this tract. This ROW will be classified as Primitive (3 acres) and added to a new area named the MacIntyre Primitive Area.

The MacIntyre East Tract is located in the Towns of Newcomb and North Hudson, Essex County. The total area involved is approximately 6,060 acres.  Sections of the MacIntyre East tract abut the High Peaks Wilderness Area. A northern section of the tract is proposed to be classified as Wilderness (4,447 acres) and added to the High Peaks Wilderness Area. There is a right of way which runs through a portion of the tract which will need to be classified as a Primitive Area (8 acres). South of LeClaire Brook is proposed to be classified as Wild Forest (1,605) and added to the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest Area.

The Casey Brook Tract is located in the Town of North Hudson, Essex County. The total area involved is approximately 1,451 acres. The Casey Brook Tract abuts the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area and is proposed to be classified as Wilderness (1,451 acres) and added to the Dix Mountain Wilderness Area.

The Benson Road Tract is located in the Towns of Benson and Mayfield, Hamilton County. The total area involved is approximately 3,896 acres. The Benson Road (aka Tomantown) tract is abutted to the north and south sides by lands classified as Wild Forest. The entire tract is proposed to be classified as Wild Forest and added to the Shaker Mountain Wild Forest Area.

The Topknot Mountain Tract is located in the Town of Dannemora, Clinton. The total area involved is approximately 291 acres. This tract abuts existing Forest Preserve Land in the Chazy Highlands Wild Forest. It is proposed to be classified as Wild Forest (291 acres).

The Peninsula Trails Tract is located in the Town of North Elba, Essex County. The total area involved is approximately 44 acres. The tract abuts existing Forest Preserve land in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest and is proposed to be classified as Wild Forest and added to the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest Area.

Detailed maps and the draft environmental impact statement describing the proposed action are available at the Adirondack Park Agency offices and on the Adirondack Park Agency’s website. The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) was prepared by Agency staff in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation. The Agency Board accepted the DEIS at its October meeting and authorized staff to hold six public hearings across Northern New York, one in Albany, and one in Rockland County during the months of November and December.

The Public Hearings will be held:
November 9, 2016                                              November 14, 2016
7:00 pm                                                                6:00 pm
Adirondack Park Agency                                  Northville Central School
1133 NYS Route 86                                            131 S. Third Street
Ray Brook                                                            Northville

November 16, 2016                                            November 21, 2016
7:00 pm                                                                7:00 pm
Newcomb Central School                                 Schroon Lake Central School
5535 NYS Route 28N                                        1125 Route 9
Newcomb                                                             Schroon Lake

November 28, 2016                                           November 29, 2016
7:00 pm                                                                6:00 pm
Rochester Institute of Technology                 St. Lawrence County
Golisano Institute for Sustainability              Human Service Center
Sustainability Hall Parking in lot “T”            80 State Highway 310
Rochester                                                            Canton

December 6, 2016                                              December 7, 2016
7:00 pm                                                                2:00 pm
Bear Mountain Inn                                            NYSDEC
3020 Seven Lakes Drive                                   625 Broadway
Tomkins Cove, Rockland County                  Albany

The Agency will also accept written comment on the 2016-2017 Classification Package. Written comment must be received by December 30, 2016. Address all written comment on this matter to:

Kathleen D. Regan, Deputy Director, Planning
Adirondack Park Agency
Post Office Box 99
1133 State Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Or by email: ClassificationComments@apa.ny.gov

Agency staff will create a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS), which will be brought to the Agency Board after the close of the public comment period. The Agency Board will then decide (a) whether to accept the FSEIS and (b) whether to recommend the APSLMP amendments to the Governor.