For Immediate Release: June 13, 2025
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Director, Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Board Reviews State Land Master Plan Amendments and Authorizes ProcellaCOR EC Application, Chair John Lyman Ernst Recognized for Service
RAY BROOK, NY – At the June 2025 Agency meeting, the Adirondack Park Agency Board reviewed updates to the proposed Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan Amendments package, heard an informational presentation about the Agency Enforcement Program, and authorized the application of ProcellaCOR EC in Upper Chateaugay Lake. Chair John Lyman Ernst also received a Citation from Governor Kathy Hochul recognizing his service.
First, APA Chair John Lyman Ernst was presented with a Citation from Governor Kathy Hochul recognizing his many years of service to the Agency, the Adirondack Park, and the State of New York. Chair Ernst has been a board member since 2016 and was appointed chair in 2021. He will retire from the board at the end of this month.
Then, the board heard a summary from Agency staff of public comments received on the proposed 2024-2025 Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan amendments package and a proposed final package for discussion. A key change to the proposed amendments in response to comments was the removal of language related to other power-driven mobility devices.
“The majority of comments focused on the accessibility amendments, where the public voiced strong opposition to the addition of other power-driven mobility devices language. Recognizing this, we are stepping back to review this specific part of the package. The rest of the proposed amendments will be brought before the board for discussion and, eventually, a vote later this year,” a memo from Agency staff to board members stated when outlining this change. The memo added that the NYSDEC is in the process of developing a statewide policy for mobility devices, and that the Agency will partner in the development of that policy for the Adirondack Park. The board will now consider the full package of amendments and vote on them at a future meeting.
Then, the board heard an informational presentation from Agency staff about trends in Agency enforcement cases, which included an overview of recent enforcement data and outcomes. Potential violations involving wetlands, shoreline regulations, and permit noncompliance have been the most common types of enforcement matters reviewed by staff. The majority of violations continue to be resolved at the staff level through settlement agreements or voluntary remediation, with a focus on compliance with the law and protecting the resources of the Park.
Finally, the board approved a permit authorizing the Chateaugay Lake Foundation to engage in a one-time application of the aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR EC in Upper Chateaugay Lake to control Eurasian watermilfoil. Permit conditions included adherence to Clean, Drain, Dry standards for equipment and a post-treatment concentration monitoring report and aquatic plant survey.
To view presentation slide decks from this month’s meeting, please visit the Agency’s website. Video recordings of the presentations will be posted on the Agency’s online video archive at a later date.
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.