For Immediate Release: May 9, 2025
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Director, Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
SARANAC LAKE, NY – Yesterday, the Adirondack Park Agency hosted the 3rd Annual Adirondack Planning Forum at Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake. Each year, the forum brings together Adirondack Park stakeholders to learn about and find solutions to the Park’s biggest issues.
“The Adirondack Park Agency envisions an Adirondack Park where its environmental resources and communities are lifted together and supportive of one another. The Adirondack Planning Forum provides an opportunity for all of us as Park stakeholders to discuss collaborative actions that achieve this goal,” said APA Chair John Ernst.
The forum opened on Wednesday night with remarks from New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton. Each remarked on the importance of state and local government partnerships and the impact of state programs in the Adirondack Park.
“The Adirondack Planning Forum served as a great way for local government leaders to share experiences and challenges with each other and state representatives. The Department of State’s Division of Local Government is on the ground ready to provide support and connect our North Country municipalities with opportunities available through the state”, said New York Secretary of State, Walter T. Mosley.
Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “I thank the Adirondack Park Agency and all those who participated in productive discussions during this year’s Planning Forum to highlight the many ways we can work together to help Forest Preserve communities thrive. DEC remains committed to delivering meaningful results for this iconic region and looks forward to continued engagement with local leaders to advance policies that promote sustainability and resilience, foster smart growth, enhance affordability, and provide long-term protection of the Adirondacks.”
Over the course of the following day, the Adirondack Planning Forum offered attendees two tracks for enhancing their knowledge of Adirondack Park land use planning and issues. One track, led by the New York Department of State staff, offered trainings for planning professionals that satisfied continuing education credits. The other presented a diverse series of panelists that covered issues ranging from municipal water infrastructure to workforce housing to livable communities.
The panels included representatives from the Adirondack Park Agency, Development Authority of the North Country, Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Conservation, the NYS Office for the Aging, Adirondack ROOTS, Franklin County IDA, and the Northern Forest Center. In all, over 250 local government officials, Adirondack Park citizens, consultants, and partner agency representatives attended this year’s forum.
“The Adirondack Park Agency is building partnerships that make the Adirondack Park stronger and more resilient for the benefit of ourselves today and future generations tomorrow. The Adirondack Planning Forum is just a part of our greater commitment to this collaboration,” said APA Executive Director Barbara Rice. “On behalf of the Agency, I want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s forum.”
The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law.