Latest News Headlines
- FBI Director Cut Congressional Hearing Short to Fly to Adirondacks
- Where are the likely locations for solar arrays?
- Clarkson students from Ogdensburg, Alex Bay doing scientific research in the St. Lawrence River
- Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe denounces EPA’s flawed Grasse River cleanup
- ‘Pioneers’ of affordable housing dub new road name
- Local food access slow to reach full potential
- The New Normal: Reflections on an ADK vacation
- Going Hiking? Don’t Forget These Safety Tips
- Salt reduction panel previews final report
- DEC puts call out for consultants to help form High Peaks visitor management strategy
Latest News Headlines
- FBI Director Cut Congressional Hearing Short to Fly to Adirondacks
- Where are the likely locations for solar arrays?
- Clarkson students from Ogdensburg, Alex Bay doing scientific research in the St. Lawrence River
- Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe denounces EPA’s flawed Grasse River cleanup
- ‘Pioneers’ of affordable housing dub new road name
- Local food access slow to reach full potential
- The New Normal: Reflections on an ADK vacation
- Going Hiking? Don’t Forget These Safety Tips
- Salt reduction panel previews final report
- DEC puts call out for consultants to help form High Peaks visitor management strategy
Recent Almanack Comments
- Mark J Valin on DNA analysis confirms animal killed in New York state was a wolf
- Lorraine Duvall on Misnomer: Stoney Creek (a poem)
- AdirondackAl on Land of the Towering White Pines
- Joe Kozlina on DNA analysis confirms animal killed in New York state was a wolf
- Paul on Outdoor Conditions (8/5): Hikers should be aware of open water crossing on Pharaoh Lake Trail

The Adirondack Almanack
The Adirondack Almanack is a public forum dedicated to promoting and discussing current events, history, arts, nature and outdoor recreation and other topics of interest to the Adirondacks and its communities
We publish commentary and opinion pieces from voluntary contributors, as well as news updates and event notices from area organizations. Contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The information, views and opinions expressed by these various authors are not necessarily those of the Adirondack Almanack or its publisher, the Adirondack Explorer.

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A blown deadline
By the Times Union editorial board
Nonexistent task forces have a 100 percent track record of not issuing reports by deadline. So in that sense, the state’s road salt panel is doing exactly what New Yorkers expected of it.
Under the 2020 legislation establishing it, the task force was supposed to study the impact of road salt in the Adirondacks and come up with a pilot plan for reducing it, reporting to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2021 – as in, weeks ago.
What’s at stake here? Oh, only public health, the environment, and the Adirondack economy. Excess road salt poisons the wells that North Country residents drink from. It degrades farmland, fouls lakes, desiccates trees.
Yes, things have been a bit … chaotic in the Executive Chamber this year. But in the administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, long appointment delays and other forms of foot-dragging were a feature, not a bug. Skeptics might speculate that for Mr. Cuomo, the announcement of a plan of action was more important than its implementation.
All of the panel’s members have now been recommended, state officials say, and appointments are in the process of being finalized. We know Gov. Kathy Hochul is catching up on a backlog on empty positions. Prioritizing this process will be a significant way her administration can differentiate itself from its predecessor. State government needs to get moving on this important issue, collecting data transparently and thoroughly, and – at the most basic level – doing what it said it was going to do.
Editor’s note: This originally ran Dec. 13 in the (Albany) Times Union. Used by permission.
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Guest Contributor
The Adirondack Almanack publishes occasional guest essays from Adirondack residents, visitors, and those with an interest in the Adirondack Park. Submissions should be directed to Almanack editor Melissa Hart at [email protected]
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