The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is a New York State government agency, consisting of 54 staff and an eleven-member board. In 1971 the APA was created by the State Legislature to develop long-range public and private land use plans for the largest park in the continental United States.
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News & Activities
- The January 2021 Agency Meeting is cancelled due to no agenda items which require Board action. The next Agency Meeting is scheduled for February 11-12
- Press Room
- Public Input
- Large-scale residential subdivisions currently under review
- Agency meeting schedule
- Archived Agency Meetings
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Public Hearing and Comment Period
Notice of Public Hearings and Public Comment Period on Proposed Reclassification of State Lands, Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement, Draft Unit Management Plans and Draft River Management Plans and Notice of Completion of Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), as co – lead agencies, have determined that the Integrated Series of Proposed State Land Management Actions in the Vicinity of Debar Mountain Wild Forest may have a significant adverse impact on the environment and have prepared a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) and Final Scope. NYS DEC and the APA announce an opportunity for public comment on the proposed actions.
The APA proposes re-classification of approximately 41 acres of land from the Debar Mountain Wild Forest to be classified as Intensive Use, on the shore of Debar Pond. The reclassification proposal will be reviewed for compliance with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and will be in conformance with the Programmatic EIS. The proposed reclassification is located in the Town of Duane.
NYS DEC proposes the adoption of the Debar Mountain Complex (DMC) Unit Management Plan (UMP), which will guide the actions that the NYS DEC will take to protect the resources of the area while accommodating public recreation. This draft UMP covers the Debar Mountain Wild Forest, Deer River Primitive Area, Madawaska Flow- Quebec Brook Primitive Area, and a newly classified Debar Lodge Intensive Use Area. This document will also serve as the River Area Management Plan for the Deer River, East Branch Saint Regis River, and the Saint Regis River. The draft UMP proposes to provide new recreation opportunities and to address current negative conditions, such as eroded trails and impacts to campsites. A significant action proposed in the draft UMP is to remove Debar Lodge and the other buildings at Debar Pond and replace them with a day-use picnic area. This action is preceded by and contingent upon a proposal to reclassify approximately 41 acres of Debar Mountain Wild Forest in the vicinity of the Debar Lodge to the Debar Lodge Intensive Use Area.
Currently, major topics under consideration in the draft UMP includes: removal of the Debar Lodge; creation of a day-use area and recreation hub on Debar Pond; improvement of the area's recreational opportunities, including trails and primitive tent sites; fishing and waterway access sites, canoe access and carry routes; and development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring program to determine if the carrying capacity of the water bodies in the unit has been exceeded. Alternatives under consideration and more fully described in the Draft GEIS and Draft UMP include reclassification and management as intensive use/day use area, intensive use/campground, historic, administrative, and no action, including variations on these alternatives.
The Draft GEIS is available here and the Draft UMPs are available on DEC's website here.
Written comments on the Draft GEIS and Draft UMPs are welcome and will be accepted by mail or e-mail until February 12, 2021.
Comments should be submitted to: DeBarComment@apa.ny.gov OR
USPS Mail: Mail: Steven Guglielmi, NYS DEC, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296
Hearings:
The informational presentation that will be given during the public hearings is available here
Tuesday, January 19, 2021, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 on Web: https://tinyurl.com/DeBarAfternoon
To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number 1-518-549-0500 and enter the access code: 179 267 0779Tuesday, January 19, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Web: https://tinyurl.com/DebarEvening
To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number 1-518-549-0500 and enter the access code: 179 337 3417Interpretation or transcription services will be made available to persons who are hearing impaired at no charge upon reasonable e-mailed request.
AGENCY CONTACTS FOR INFORMATION AND/OR COPIES OF DGEIS:
Matthew McNamara
Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
(518) 891-4050
DeBarComment@apa.ny.govSteven Guglielmi
Department of Environmental Conservation
P.O. Box 296
Ray Brook, NY 12977-0296
DeBarComment@apa.ny.gov -
COVID-19 Updates
Please see link to COVID – 19 Programs and Financial Support.
Following current State directives and guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Adirondack Park Agency has implemented precautionary protocols for staff and their interactions with the public. To achieve the most efficient response, please call our main number at 518-891-4050 or please email your inquiry to APAsubmissions@apa.ny.gov.
The Agency is now scheduling site visits. All site visits will be conducted in strict accordance with the Agency’s Protocol for Public and Private Land Site Visits.
The Agency is closed to walk-in consultations at this time. Please call the Agency regarding any consultation needs.
The Agency continues to electronically accept jurisdictional inquiries, applications, and related submissions. Please submit all jurisdictional inquiries to apajif@apa.ny.gov. The new electronic jurisdictional inquiry form cannot be completed online. Instead, to complete the Agency's electronic jurisdictional inquiry form please download the form, fill it out completely, sign electronically per the instructions provided, save the form, attach a copy plus any other required documents to an email, and submit to apajif@apa.ny.gov. If you are unable to submit via email, hard copy submissions are accepted, although delays may occur.
Please send applications and submissions by email to APAsubmissions@apa.ny.gov. All applications and submissions should be in PDF or similar format and be legible. Electronic copies of plans must be fully scalable. Applications must contain scans of signatures affixed by hand or electronic signatures consistent with the Electronic Signatures and Records Act.
The Agency will continue to evaluate wetland delineations and soils analysis/deep hole test pits provided by private consultant professionals. Confirmation of results through staff inspection may be required. The Agency maintains lists of consultants in the Adirondack Park that perform these services. The lists can be found at www.apa.ny.gov/Forms/index.cfm, under the “Help for Applicants” link.
Also, please note that in accordance with Executive Order 202.11 and subsequent extensions, Sections 806, 808, 809, and 814 of the Executive Law, Section 24-0801 of the Environmental Conservation Law, and associated regulations are temporarily suspended or modified to the extent necessary to suspend the statutory and regulatory time periods required for the Adirondack Park Agency to respond to requests for variances, permit modifications and otherwise process permit requests.
Please direct all media inquiries to the Agency’s Public Information Officer Keith McKeever via email at keith.mckeever@apa.ny.gov or by phone at 518-354-9698.
Guidance on Responsible Recreation During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
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2019 APA Annual Report
APA Executive Director Terry Martino said, "As we proceed during these unprecedented times, it is reassuring to reflect upon the outstanding commitment of Agency staff and Board members to the Adirondack Park and its 101 municipalities. I am proud to share with you the 2019 Annual Report accomplishments of the Adirondack Park Agency. The report documents the project review, interdisciplinary planning, and decisions which are science based and incorporate best management practices. All efforts combine to ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of this magnificent region. Under the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, we look forward to the tasks and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Please click 2019 Annual Report to download report
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2019 Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan
The August 2019 version of the APSLMP contains the latest State Land Classification and Reclassification Actions including the final tract of the historic Finch Pruyn & Company land deal – the 20,543 acre Boreas Ponds parcel. The State’s unprecedented, multi-year land transaction with The Nature Conservancy resulted in the acquisition and classification of nearly 65,000 acres of globally significant forests. This represents the largest Forest Preserve expansion in the history of the Adirondack Park.
In addition, revisions to the definition of the Travel Corridor Classification and related management guidelines are included. The Travel Corridor revisions maximize public recreational opportunities, broaden economic impact and ensure the protection of the Park’s unique natural and historic resources.
To download the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan please click here
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Telecommunication Coverage Inside the Adirondack Park
The Adirondack Park Agency, in partnership with Telecommunication Providers, Local Governments and Park Stakeholders, has successfully improved telecommunication coverage throughout the Adirondack Park.
Over 400 telecommunication permits issued to date!
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