Update 8/7/13: APA officials say the board will not take any action on the classification package during this month’s meeting. Agency staff have not prepared a preferred alternative to recommend for this meeting.
Cynics on both sides of the classification debate for Essex Chain Lakes/Indian River tracts are convinced the recent Adirondack Park Agency public hearings were nothing but a dog and pony show. Some Wilderness advocates believe the Wild Forest option was predetermined before the meetings. Some Wild Forest advocates believe that Adirondack Park Agency is just waiting to rubber stamp the Wilderness option. Obviously, both cannot be true.
The 64 dollar question: What if this is NOT a dog and pony show? That would mean our opinion DOES matter. Although the APA public commentary period has ended, there is still time to tell Governor Cuomo what we want. APA’s recommendation will be sent to the Governor’s desk for his final approval.
Governor Cuomo can send APA’s plan back to the drawing board. That’s why it is critical to let the Governor know what we want! By all accounts, Governor Cuomo had a grand time at the recent ADK Challenge. Now would be an excellent time to remind Governor Cuomo of his promise from last year:
“Adding these properties to the Forest Preserve protects the incomparable and breathtaking natural resources of this region and preserves a significant portion of the Upper Hudson River watershed,” Governor Cuomo said. “Today’s agreement will make the Adirondack Park one of the most sought after destinations for paddlers, hikers, hunters, sportspeople and snowmobilers. Opening these lands to public use and enjoyment for the first time in 150 years will provide extraordinary new outdoor recreational opportunities, increase the number of visitors to the North Country and generate additional tourism revenue…..There will be snowmobiling trails where they didn’t exist before.”
This land doesn’t fit the State’s criteria for “Wilderness”. None of the options presented by Adirondack Park Agency would allow for direct snowmobile access into the Essex Chain Lakes tract from Chain Lakes Road in the town of Indian Lake.
Let Governor Cuomo know that we want:
Wild Forest classification for the ENTIRE Essex Chain Lakes and Indian River tracts with NO re-classification of Blue Mountain Wild Forest into Wilderness.
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
Phone: (518) 474-8390
Email: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Copy the letter to your state representatives:
Find your New York State Senator here.
Find your New York State Assembly Member here.
Don’t let this chance slip away: Governor Cuomo IS listening!
