November 22, 2016
In a rare opportunity, more than 60,000 acres of wild lands south of the High Peaks have been added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve thanks to recent acquisitions by the State from The Nature Conservancy. Now comes the second hard part, the land classification process: 'wild forest' (motorized vehicles allowed), OR 'wilderness' (no motorized vehicles).
The Chapter Adirondack Committee of course recommends "wilderness" classification for all of these lands. Recommended talking points are below.
The Adirondack Park Agency is holding hearings around the State prior to making the land classification decision. Seven Sierra Club members attended the Ray Brook hearing. We hope to have as many people as possible turn out for other hearings, or submit comments. Here are links for the complete Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for this land classification:
Here is the hearing schedule; please contact Caitlin Ferrante at the Albany Sierra Club Office (Caitlin.Ferrante@sierraclub.org.) if you plan to attend a hearing:
November 9, 2016, 7pm: Adirondack Park Agency, 1133 NYS Route 86 , Ray Brook
November 14, 2016, 6pm: Northville Central School, 131 S. Third Street, Northville
November 16, 2016, 7pm: Newcomb Central School, 5535 NYS Route 28N, Newcomb
November 21, 2016, 7pm: Schroon Lake Central School, 1125 Route 9, Schroon Lake
November 28, 2016, 7pm: Rochester Institute of Technology, Golisano Institute for Sustainability in Sustainability Hall, Parking in lot "T", Rochester
November 29, 2016, 6pm: St. Lawrence County, Human Service Center, 80 State Highway 310, Canton
December 6, 2016, 7pm: Bear Mountain Inn, 3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove
December 7, 2016, 2pm: NYSDEC, 625 Broadway, Albany.
If you can't attend a hearing, please send your comments to (deadline December 30, 2016):
Governor Andrew Cuomo
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Email: https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
Kathleen D. Regan, Deputy Director, Planning
Adirondack Park Agency
1133 State Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Please also send a copy of your comments to: atlantic.chapter@sierraclub.org
TALKING POINTS #1:
Subject: Hearing Statement - Boreas Ponds Tract, State Land Classification DEIS
To : Members of the Board of Commissioners, Executive Director Martino,
Adirondack Park Agency, PO Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12799
Date: _________________________
Thank you for this opportunity to address the Adirondack Park Agency concerning the classification lands in the Boreas Ponds Tract. My name is ______________.
First, we want to express our considerable appreciation to Governor Cuomo and to Commissioner Segos and the Department of Environmental Conservation for working in such good faith with the Nature Conservancy to acquire the 21,000 acre Boreas Pond parcel, and additional lands of the Finch-Pruyn purchase.
Second, we want to recognize and commend the Finch-Pruyn Company for their responsible stewardship of these lands for more than a century,
That said, regarding the classification process, we would like to address five concerns about the current DEIS, and the hearing process:
(1) No NYC Hearing: We are very concerned that the APA and DEC canceled the New York City hearing originally scheduled for December 6. These lands belong to all the citizens of New York State and everyone should be given the opportunity to participate in this important land classification process.
(2) No 'All Wilderness' Alternative for Boreas Tract: We find it equally troubling that the APA has not proposed an 'all wilderness' option as one of its classification alternatives for this tract. The classification of the neighboring Essex Chain Lake Tract resulted in a variety of recreational activities: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and canoeing with reasonably short portages. So, different user groups have been accommodated in this region of the southern High Peaks. Now, the APA should include as one of its proposed alternatives for classification of the Boreas Tract an 'all wilderness' option so that the APA can asses public interest in an all wilderness option for this unique, magnificent tract. We urge that 'all wilderness' be the APA preferred alternative in the final EIS.
(3) Lack of Full Disclosure in Boreas Tract Alternatives: We note that the distinctions between the four Boreas classification alternatives are somewhat murky for the average reader of the DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS) for these lands. We also note that the DEC in 2015 already approved a 'Community Connector Snowmobile Trail' to connect the hamlets of Newcomb and Minerva, with one of the routing options crossing the Boreas tract. In the APA’s Boreas Alternative 3, there is the following statement: "The Wild Forest Area proposed in Alternative 3 would enable access to the two State Administrative Area gravel pits and the Boreas Ponds Dam." This statement provides a clear explanation of one of the consequences of selecting this Alternative. Therefore, for similar clarity, and full disclosure, in each Alternative, we ask the the APA amend the four alternatives to clearly state which alternatives will allow snowmobiles, and where the snowmobile trail would be located in the Boreas tract, given each Alternative classification option.
(4) MacIntyre East. MacIntyre West, and Casey Brook Tracts: These tracts of land to the north and west of the Boreas Tract are logical additions to the High Peaks Wilderness.
(5) West Stoney Creek Wilderness Area: We urge the APA approve a new 12,000-acre West Stoney Creek Wilderness Area in the southern Adirondacks, west of Northville. This is a rare opportunity to combine almost 3,900 acres of newly purchased Forest Preserve lands with 9,000 acres of adjacent existing roadless Forest Preserve lands to form a new 12,000-acre West Stoney Creek Wilderness Area. These lands contain old growth forests, steep slopes, 1,500 foot high mountains, a vast wetlands complex, and over 7 miles of the West Stoney Creek river corridor, which is classified as “Scenic” under the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act. The newly purchased 3,900 acres tract should NOT be classified as 'Wild Forest' as proposed by the APA; it should be combined with adjacent 9,000 acre tract and the entire area classified as 'wilderness'.
Thank you for this opportunity to address these important wilderness opportunities.
TALKING POINTS #2: (from Caitlin Ferrante's testimony at the Ray Brook hearing)
Members of the Board of Commissioners, Executive Director Martino -
My name is Caitlin Pixley Ferrante and I am the Chapter Coordinator for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter - the New York Chapter of the Sierra Club - the country’s oldest grassroots environmental organization. The Atlantic represents 40,000 members from throughout NYS.
Thank you for the opportunity to address the APA concerning the classification of lands in the Boreas Ponds Tract.
Like my fellow Sierra Club members have said/will say tonight, we want to express our appreciation to Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Seggos and the Department of Environmental Conservation for working in good faith with the Nature Conservancy to acquire this 21,000 acre parcel and all of the additional lands of the Finch-Pruyn purchase. We also want to recognize and commend the Finch-Pruyn COmpany for the responsible stewardship of these lands for more than a century.
However, regarding the classification process, there are several concerns:
- The 4 alternatives put forth by the Agency fail to offer real Wilderness protection for the Boreas Ponds. By neglecting to provide a full range of options for the public to consider, the APA has not met the “fairness” standard.
- Invasives are a real problem and continue to threaten our wild places. Roads are the most significant vector for invasive species, therefore the Gulf Brook Road must not be left open for bikes/motor vehicle access, and the Atlantic Chapter is arguing that it should be closed entirely.
- Access for persons with disabilities can occur in Wilderness, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. A person with a disability that requires mobility assistance can use their mobility device anywhere in wilderness. Wilderness does not prohibit people from access, it prevents motorized vehicles from access.
- It is worth reiterating the "Wilderness" definition (read highlighted/bold section that is below). 50 miles of road shouldn't declassify this as wilderness. As the definition outlines, it can be restored to natural conditions.
In closing, We urge you to reissue your proposed alternative classifications, adding one which includes an “all wilderness” option and also to reschedule the hearing for New York City. There are many individuals who are not unable to attend the December 6th hearing after it was moved to Tomkins Cove. These lands belong to all citizens of New York State and everyone should be given the opportunity to participate in this important classification process.
Thank you for your time and for the opportunity to testify on this important issue.
WILDERNESS Definition:
A wilderness area, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man - where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. A wilderness area is further defined to mean an area of state land or water having a primeval character, without significant improvement or permanent human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve, enhance, and restore, where necessary, its natural conditions, and which (1) generally appears to be affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable.