Recent APA Controversies
Former DEC commissioner appeals judge’s marina decision
August 28, 2021 - The APA has been sued for approving a project to expand the storage and services of a marina on Lower Saranac Lake. The project has been predicted to exceed the carrying capacity of the lake, and the APA is faulted for accepting the environmental analysis provided by the developer instead of conducting their own.
In Long Lake, a deck dispute prompts landowner to push back
August 20, 2021 - A business owner on Long Lake is extremely frustrated after he built a deck after he thought he had APA approval, and then received direction from the APA that he had to pay a fine and remove the deck for proceeding without a deck within 50 feet of the mean high water mark of Jennings Pond without a variance.
Upper Saranac Lake homeowners sue APA, new neighbors
August 7, 2021 - Homeowners on Upper Saranac Lake are suing their incoming neighbors and the APA for new plans occurring in a vacant lot in their subdivision. The APA granted the incoming owners amendments to the permits the other homeowners have followed, and the resulting plans have led to concerns about the lake’s water quality and the protection of nearby wetlands.
Future of some snowmobile trails remains murky after court decision
July 30, 2021 - After an eight-year legal battle between the non-profit Protect the Adirondacks! (PROTECT) and the DEC and APA over a series of proposed snowmobile trails, New York’s highest court ruled in favor of PROTECT, stating that the proposed trails were in violation of the Forever Wild clause. How both agencies will be accounting for this decision in future projects has still yet to be seen, causing some unease for conservation advocates.
Adirondack Park chair appointment coming soon?
July 11, 2021 - The APA has an 8-member board, but is currently functioning with one vacant seat, two expired terms, and no chair, even two years after its last chair resigned. Former Governor Cuomo has claimed to be searching for a replacement chair, however with the recent switch in administrations, new eyes will be on Governor Hochul to see how she handles filling the APA’s board.
Q&A with Chad Dawson about resigning from the APA
December 15, 2021 - Former APA Board Member Chad Dawson resigned from the APA board in December of 2020, citing concerns that the APA has been allowing increased development of the Adirondack Park without considering the long-term consequences for conservation. He describes his frustration with the lack of direction at the APA and how difficult it had become for them to function without a chair.