Help us keep bringing you the Adirondack information you value.
Email
Twitter
RSS
Facebook
The Lake George Land Conservancy has rejected the Department of Environmental Conservation’s offer to purchase Anthony’s Nose for $325,000.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors, held in February, it was agreed that the Conservancy would maintain the Lake George icon as a preserve unless or until the state agency produces a better offer.
The DEC offered $325,000 not only for Anthony’s Nose, but also for two parcels purchased by the Lake George Land Conservancy to secure the public’s access to Anthony’s Nose and Flat Rock.
The Conservancy paid $1.5 million for Anthony’s Nose in 2000 and $350,000 for the additional parcels in 2014 and 2016.
Interviewed in 2016, Lake George Land Conservancy executive director Jamie Brown said the DEC made a commitment in 2014 to purchase Anthony’s Nose from the Conservancy and wrap it within the Adirondack Forest Preserve, where it would be protected from development in perpetuity.
Neither Brown nor members of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors would comment on the DEC’s offer or the decision to reject it.
Experts on Adirondack Park issues and policies, however, said that it was unusual for the DEC to submit a bid for property so far below its previously appraised value.
“New York State is not in the habit of underpaying for property it wants for the Forest Preserve,” said one veteran of Adirondack conservation issues.
A version of this article first appeared on the Lake George Mirror.
Photo of Anthony’s Nose, courtesy Carl Heilman.
Related Stories
General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor
I’m OK with this. NYS doesn’t need to buy up every inch of the ADK’s from land flippers like TNC. The state needs to hire more Rangers to protect the massive amount of lands it already owns before tacking on more acreage. Let TNC continue to conserve and take care of the land
The TNC doesn’t own this land?
The land is owned by the Lake George Land Conservancy, a land trust unaffiliated with TNC
That is what I thought. Thanks. Probably should have been confident enough to leave off the question mark!
My apologies on mixing up the LGLC and TNC… But, I stand by my point of believing it’s nonsensical for NYS to buy more land when they don’t have enough rangers to work the land it already owns.
“Amen” to Mr. Schultz. NYS needs to a get a grip on what it has already and the current Forest Ranger force is stretched way too thin across the ADKs. not to mention the entire State!
I agree with the above comments. If TNC can afford to hold onto these parcels and patrol them adequately, it is probably for the best – at least for the foreseeable future. But the reversal by the state from its reported 2014 commitment to acquire the package could conceivably have long-term effects for the working relationship between TNC and NYS and TNC’s commitment to protect sensitive lands. Hard to say.
As usual, there is likely more to the story than what was reported here. Perhaps NYS has low-balled the property in order to focus on another acquisition elsewhere – possibly from the TNC. Or perhaps they are allowing the Lake George area the opportunity to purchase the land to do with as they wish – whether it be protection or development.
Of course there is more to the story. We can only report what we can document, however.
Anthony,
Sorry, the “more to the story” comment wasn’t intended as a criticism – just a generic colloquialism.
Unidentified “experts” and unnamed “veterans of Adirondack conservation issues”?
It would be smart for the TNC to hold onto the Follensby Pond tract. Don’t let the public in there to wreck that one no matter the classification. Plus if you wanted to go with a Wilderness classification it might jeopardize the 90 mile canoe race an Adirondack classic since you can’t hold a competitive event on Wilderness lands and that part of the raquette river would be off limits for the race.
State already has way more land than they can possibly manage even if a genie popped out of a bottle and gave us a wish to double the size of the ranger squad.