For Immediate Release: September 11, 2025
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Board Approves State Land Master Plan Amendments and Solar Facility, Hears Presentations on Rail Trail and Agency Headquarters Project
RAY BROOK, NY – At the September Agency meeting, the Adirondack Park Agency Board recommended the approval of the proposed State Land Master Plan Amendments, authorized a solar generation facility, and heard informational presentations about the Adirondack Rail Trail and the Agency’s ongoing headquarters project.
First, following a final review of proposed amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, the Board voted to recommend that the amendments be approved by the Governor. The amendments address topics including visitor use management, accessibility, climate change, beaver control structures, and the classification of the recently acquired Four Peaks tract. The package will now be sent to the Governor for her approval.
Then, the board heard informational presentations about the Adirondack Rail Trail from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Adirondack Rail Trail Association. DEC staff started by providing an update on phase 3 construction and highlighted future plans for improvements. Then, the Adirondack Rail Trail Association provided an overview of the organization’s mission and how they work collaboratively under a volunteer stewardship agreement with the DEC to maintain the Adirondack Rail Trail as an accessible recreational asset.
Following this, the Board was briefed by Agency staff on conceptional proposals to relocate the Agency's headquarters to the Village of Saranac Lake. Staff highlighted the availability of reports and documents on the Agency’s online project dashboard and announced that a public information session will be held later this fall to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the project.
Finally, the Board approved a permit authorizing the development of a 5MW solar generation facility in the Town of Ausable, Clinton County.
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.