Coalition of Local Government, Community and Business Groups Forms to Support Adirondack Propositions

THE ADIRONDACKS (10/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Local governments, business organizations, and respected community leaders have joined together to create a bipartisan, multicounty coalition to advocate for the passage of two Adirondack-related propositions on this year's statewide ballot. The coalition is urging state residents to join them in "Voting 'YES' for the Adirondacks".

"Passage of the two ballot propositions before voters this year will provide benefits for the Adirondack Park as a whole - for residents of the park, for outdoor enthusiasts, for wildlife in the Adirondacks, and for the legacy of New York State as protector of this unique public-private park," said William Farber, Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors and a representative of the coalition.

Randall Douglas, Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors, said, "To truly thrive, the Adirondack Park must be nurtured and cared for, not simply left stagnant without regard to its needs. By supporting these propositions, residents across the state have an opportunity to tend to and manage this tremendous asset."

The group coalesced in support of Propositions 4 and 5 on the state election ballot (see statement below) that would both benefit the Adirondack Park and residents who live and work in the Park.

The coalition is comprised of:

• Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages

• Adirondack Landowners Association

• Adirondack Local Government Review Board

• Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Congressman Bill Owens

• Dr. Ross Whaley (former chair of the Adirondack Park Agency and former president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry)

• Essex County Board of Supervisors

• Governor George E. Pataki

• Hamilton County Board of Supervisors

• Intercounty Legislative Committee of the Adirondacks

• John P. Cahill (former NYSDEC Commissioner)

• Lewis Town Board

• Long Lake Town Board

• New York League of Conservation Voters

• New York State Association of Counties

• North Country Chamber of Commerce

• North Country Regional Economic Development Council

• Paul Marshall Bray (attorney and former associate counsel at NYSDEC)

• Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce

• Teresa Sayward (former Assembly Member and Willsboro Town Supervisor)

• Willsboro Town Board

Vote Yes for the Adirondacks!
Open space recreation, wildlife habitat, Adirondack jobs
and local communities benefit from Propositions 4 and 5

On Election Day, New York voters will decide on two constitutional amendments involving the Adirondack Park. A vote in favor of both amendments is a vote to expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve, to broaden recreational opportunities for all New Yorkers, and to protect open space, wildlife habitat, local communities and jobs – at no cost to New York taxpayers. We, the undersigned individuals and groups representing a broad coalition of Adirondack environmental, community and economic interests, respectfully urge New York voters to approve both amendments.

Proposition 4 would allow the Legislature to settle the 100-year-old problem of disputed property titles in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. Since the 1800s, the titles to 216 parcels, including the school, the firehouse, businesses, homes and other properties have been disputed. Proposition 4 would permit the State to clear these titles in exchange for funding to purchase lands that the state has long wanted to add to the Adirondack Forest Preserve for public recreation. The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to recommend that the state acquire the historic Marion River Carry, acreage along the Marion River, the Utowana Lake shore, and a canoe portage that connects Raquette with Utowana and Blue Mountain. These lands would be forever protected at no cost to taxpayers.

Proposition 5 offers the opportunity to expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve by 1,500 acres and protect 100 Adirondack jobs. The proposition would authorize the Legislature to give an Adirondack mining company temporary access to the 200 acres of state Forest Preserve that immediately adjoin its existing mine. In exchange, the company, NYCO Minerals Inc., would provide the state with funding to purchase 1,500 acres of forests with mountains, streams and excellent fishing opportunities, expanding public access to the Jay and Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Areas near Lake Placid and protecting wildlife habitat. NYCO would return the 200 acres to the Forest Preserve once its project is completed. Allowing NYCO to continue to work on its site will protect rural jobs that support schools, churches, fire departments and small businesses.

The two propositions are entirely consistent with the language and spirit of the Adirondack Park Agency Act, which seeks to preserve open space and sustainable communities and strike a careful balance between environmental protection and appropriate economic growth in the Adirondack Park.

Protecting open space, recreational opportunities, jobs and healthy communities will protect the Adirondack Park and keep its communities viable for future generations.