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The contradictory, disconnected, segmented, illegal and impractical ways that the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (with full cooperation from the Adirondack Park Agency so far and support from Governor Andrew Cuomo) is going about the business of planning and building community connector snowmobile routes in the Adirondack Park continues apace. Work planning for the just approved community connector between Newcomb and Minerva, for example, will prove very interesting indeed and will be challenged in every sense of that word. » Continue Reading.
Dave Gibson: Snowmobile Connectors Are Disconnected
Lake Friendly Living Workshops Planned For Schroon Lake
The Warren and Essex County Soil and Water Conservation Districts are holding two workshops in Schroon Lake to educate about lake friendly living.
As stormwater moves across impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops and asphalt parking area it can collect sediment, phosphorous, de-icing materials (sand and salt), petrochemicals, and other pollutants that may end up in a nearby lake or stream. There are ways to reduce storm water runoff and keep our water bodies healthy. One way is by collecting storm water in rain barrels and using it to water gardens and landscapes. » Continue Reading.
The Pepperbox: The Myth of the Trail-less Wilderness
The Pepperbox Wilderness Area is one of the smaller wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park. It receives few visitors, as it has no spectacular mountain views, few productive waterbodies and lies tucked away in an obscure part of the Park. Its lack of trails is often cited as one of its unique characteristics.
Too bad it is not true. The notion that the Pepperbox Wilderness contains thousands of remote acres free of trails is a fantasy; it is a myth, like Bigfoot or the Tooth Fairy.
» Continue Reading.
Railroad Plans To Store Oil Tankers in High Peaks
Owners of the Saratoga-North Creek Railway have big plans for a new use of the railroad line from North Creek into the High Peaks.
Last week, company President Ed Ellis made a presentation to the Warren County Board of Supervisors Public Works Committee about the company’s new plans. Ellis sees an exciting business opportunity for his rail lines with low traffic in the long-term storage of hundreds of oil-soaked tanker cars. » Continue Reading.
Complaint: DEC Illegally Lobbied For Company Mining Wilderness Area
Protect the Adirondacks conducted an investigation into the role of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in support of the 2013 Constitutional Amendment to allow NYCO Minerals, Inc., a mining company in Essex County, to undertake mining activities and obtain 200 acres of “forever wild” Forest Preserve lands.
The investigation started in early 2014 and used hundreds of documents from the DEC and Board of Elections obtained under the Freedom of Information Law. PROTECT’s investigation found what the group is calling “a startling and illegal commitment of DEC’s staff time and resources to support NYCO’s bid to buy Forest Preserve lands.” » Continue Reading.
Jim Britell: Rules For Wilderness Campaigns
Today’s forest protection advocates are the sixth generation of wilderness activists. This is an attempt to abstract the rules, lessons and insights from successful and unsuccessful wilderness campaigns of the past and particularly the Adirondack wilderness campaigns of the 1930’s through 1950’s which were waged with a fire seldom seen since.
If we are to return to a world where the preservation of roadless, motorless Wilderness has the enthusiastic, informed support of a majority of the population, I think the following rules can guide us there. » Continue Reading.
Diversity Symposium Being Held In Newcomb August 15th
Making the Adirondack Park more attractive to youth of all backgrounds and preferences will be the focus of a second Adirondack diversity symposium, which is sponsored by the Adirondack Diversity Advisory Council (ADAC) in Newcomb on Saturday, August 15.
The organization’s second Towards a More Diverse Adirondacks symposium will be held at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) Newcomb Campus, near the park’s geographic center. » Continue Reading.
The Impact of Stormwater on Adirondack Streams
In peaceful streams, aquatic macroinvertebrates such as crayfish, stoneflies, and caddisflies travel over and under submerged rocks, foraging for other invertebrates, leaves, and algae. When rain falls, their world turns upside down. At first only the surface is disturbed, but before long, runoff reaches the stream and increases its flow many fold. Silt and sand blast every exposed rock surface. At peak flow, boulders are propelled downstream by powerful currents.
How do small creatures survive such crushing chaos? They hunker down. Water-filled nooks and crannies extend deep below streambeds and far beyond river banks. These deep interstices provide a safe haven even while turbulent water pulverizes the riverbed, comparable to a storm cellar in a tornado. » Continue Reading.
Martens Reverses Old Mountain Road Decision
In one of his last acts as the state’s environmental conservation commissioner, Joe Martens overturned a predecessor’s finding that part of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail was still a town road and therefore could be open to snowmobiles, ATVs, and other vehicles.
Martens, who left his post last week, wrote in a July 22 decision that the road had long been abandoned and so the state had the power to close it to vehicular use. The road in question — known as the Old Mountain Road — cuts through the Sentinel Range Wilderness between Keene and North Elba.
Adirondack Waterfest in Speculator July 31st
In the Adirondacks it’s “Water, water, every where,” but thanks to the Greater Adirondack Resource Conservation and Development Council we can forego the “not any drop to drink.”
Hamilton County is just one area in the Adirondacks making great strides in continuing to bring attention to the importance of water quality. Over 20 years ago Adirondack Waterfest was developed to provide water quality education by means of a fun, family-friendly event.
According to Elizabeth Mangle, District Manager for Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, the event moves each year between the seven county regions. Since Adirondack Waterfest started in Hamilton County, it will once again take place there in celebration of its 20th year. » Continue Reading.
State of Lake Champlain Report Released
The Lake Champlain Basin Program’s 2015 State of the Lake and Ecosystem Indicators Report has been released.
The report, produced about every three years, is published to inform the public and resource managers about Lake Champlain’s condition and seeks to provide a better understanding of threats to its health and opportunities to meet the challenges the lake faces. » Continue Reading.
Adk Park Institute To Fete Wilderness 50th Organizers
The Adirondack Park Institute (API) will be holding a drawing for a 12-foot Hornbeck New Trick Canoe at its annual Awards Dinner and Gala, which will take place on Friday, September 18, 2015 at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake, NY.
This year’s Awards dinner will honor The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government and Adirondack WILD for their partnership in commemorating New York State’s role in inspiring the National Wilderness Preservation System Act of 1964. » Continue Reading.
Proposals Sought For Champlain Grants Program
The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is seeking proposals for local grants to support the implementation of the long term management plan for Lake Champlain, Opportunities for Action.
The LCBP anticipates awarding up to 80 grants totaling over $1 million dollars. Funding for these LCBP awards originates from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the National Park Service through agreements with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. » Continue Reading.
Black River War Lessons For Preservationists Today
In 1892 the New York State Legislature created the Adirondack Park and in 1894 placed “Forever Wild” forest protection into the State Constitution. Thus began a process of wilderness protection for what today covers thousands of lakes and millions of acres of forests.
During the following sixty years however, there were scores of determined efforts by developers, local governments, and subsequent legislatures to weaken that protection to promote mining, logging, hydroelectric power, roads, commercial recreation and off-road access by jeeps, snowmobiles, floatplanes and motorboats. To repel these threats, America’s first modern grassroots wilderness protection campaigns began. » Continue Reading.
Paul Schaefer’s Headwaters Faith
As a builder of Adirondack cabins, conservationist Paul Schaefer did not consistently solve the problem of water supplies. About 1950 Paul had a well dug in front of his old log cabin on the the Cragorehol property in Baker’s Mills. Paul told me he bought the 100-year-old cabin – then sited elsewhere – and moved it before I was born.
The well still provides delicious, cold water, although the cabin no longer exists. The main, extended Fogarty family cabin – formerly owned by Paul’s and his siblings’ parents – now has its water pumped in by electric pump from its own, drilled well. Many years ago we kids helped carry the well water in buckets over to Cragorehol camp – quite the laden tromp for youngsters. » Continue Reading.
Latest Adirondack News
- Fort Drum troops may be deployed to Minneapolis
- The Adirondacks: A bushwhacker's paradise
- Officials urge feds to end jobless bonus
- Cuomo approves North Country for Phase 2
- St. Lawrence County admin: Phase 2 is pending 'review of the metrics'
- Essex Co. ranks low in census response
- Cuomo extends Phase 1, to much confusion
- Lake George Hike-A-Thon goes virtual
- Border towns suffer from lack of access
- Amid real estate turbulence, brokers see upswing
Latest Adirondack News
- Fort Drum troops may be deployed to Minneapolis
- The Adirondacks: A bushwhacker's paradise
- Officials urge feds to end jobless bonus
- Cuomo approves North Country for Phase 2
- St. Lawrence County admin: Phase 2 is pending 'review of the metrics'
- Essex Co. ranks low in census response
- Cuomo extends Phase 1, to much confusion
- Lake George Hike-A-Thon goes virtual
- Border towns suffer from lack of access
- Amid real estate turbulence, brokers see upswing
The Adirondack Almanack
The Adirondack Almanack's contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The Almanack is the online news journal of Adirondack Explorer. Both are nonprofits supported by contributors, readers, and advertisers, and devoted to exploring, protecting, and unifying the Adirondack Park.
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