River Corridors

Disclaimer: This page is intended to provide general information regarding Agency jurisdiction. Other provisions or restrictions may apply if an Agency permit or variance is required or if the property has previously been subject to Agency review.

This is a supplement to the Citizen's Guide, which provides basic information about Adirondack Park Agency regulations. Please contact the Agency with any questions. For a binding written response as to whether a specific proposal requires Agency review, please submit a Jurisdictional Inquiry Form online or by mail.

Updated: November 17, 2016

Many river corridors are subject to special protection under New York State's Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act, which the Adirondack Park Agency implements on private lands in the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack Park Agency Act also establishes protections for certain river corridors.

For purposes of both laws, river corridors generally include the land within ¼ mile of the river.

The Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers System

Rivers or Segments Designated as Wild¹:

No new structures are allowed within Wild river corridors, except footbridges for nonmotorized open space recreational use. Motor vehicles, including snowmobiles, are allowed within Wild river corridors only as necessary for forest management. Mechanically propelled watercraft and aircraft are prohibited.

Wood roads, sand and gravel extractions for forest management purposes, and footbridges for nonmotorized open space recreational use may be established within a Wild river corridor pursuant to an Agency permit. Most cutting and disturbance to trees and other vegetation within 100 feet of the mean high water mark of a Wild river also requires a permit. Timber management more than 100 feet from the mean high water mark is subject to restrictions established in Section 577.6(c) of Agency regulations, including a prohibition on the cutting of more than 15 acres in certain circumstances.

No substance may be discharged into a Wild river.

Rivers or Segments Designated as Scenic:

The following requirements related to Scenic river corridors apply to Low Intensity Use, Rural Use, and Resource Management lands. In general, lands designated Hamlet or Moderate Intensity Use are not subject to the permitting and other requirements noted in this section. Agricultural uses and structures are also generally exempted from these requirements.

No new structures are allowed within 250 feet of the mean high water mark of a Scenic river.² Mechanically propelled watercraft and aircraft are prohibited, except on portions of the Marion, Raquette, Kunjamuk, Bog, and E. Branch St. Regis rivers, and on associated ponds and lakes that are accessible by road and have a surface area exceeding 50 acres.

Subdivisions are allowed within Scenic river corridors pursuant to an Agency permit. New land use and development³ is prohibited within Scenic river corridors, except for the following:

• Single family dwellings, mobile homes, hunting and fishing cabins and other club structures, docks, and public and private roads may be established pursuant to an Agency permit.
• Bridges and stream improvement structures for fishery management purposes may be constructed pursuant to a permit from either the Agency or the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Within 100 feet of the mean high water mark of a scenic river, the establishment of wood roads and trails for motorized open space recreation use, as well as most cutting and disturbance to trees and other vegetation, requires a permit. Timber management more than 100 feet from the mean high water mark is subject to restrictions established in Section 577.6(c) of Agency regulations, including a prohibition on the cutting of more than 15 acres in certain circumstances.

No substance may be discharged into a Scenic river, except in compliance with water quality standards established by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Rivers or Segments Designated as Recreational:

The following requirements related to Recreational river corridors apply to Low Intensity Use, Rural Use, and Resource Management lands. In general, lands designated Hamlet or Moderate Intensity Use are not subject to the permitting and other requirements noted in this section. Agricultural uses and structures are also generally exempted from these requirements.

No new structures are allowed within 150 feet of the mean high water mark of a Recreational river.⁴

Subdivisions are allowed within Recreational river corridors pursuant to an Agency permit. New land use and development that is listed on the compatible use lists found in Section 805(3) of the APA Act may also be undertaken pursuant to an Agency permit.

Modifications or disturbances to the course, banks, or bed of the river, as well as stream improvement structures for fishery management purposes, may be undertaken pursuant to a permit from either the Agency or the Department of Environmental Conservation. The excavation or placement of fill in a non-navigable Recreational river requires an Agency permit.

Within 100 feet of the mean high water mark of a Recreational river, most cutting and disturbance to trees and other vegetation requires a permit. Timber management more than 100 feet from the mean high water mark is subject to restrictions established in Section 577.6(c) of Agency regulations, including the need for a permit for the cutting of more than 15 acres in certain circumstances.

No substance may be discharged into a Recreational river, except in compliance with water quality standards established by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Replacement and Expansion of Lawfully Non-conforming Structures

Structures that lawfully exist within a river setback area may be replaced or rebuilt in the same foundation or location. The following changes to the dimensions of a lawfully existing structure within the setback area require a variance, whether the changes occur through expansion or replacement: (i) location of the structure any closer to the mean high water mark; (ii) any increase in height; (iii) any increase in footprint; or (iv) any increase in width. However, an increase of up to two feet in height of a single family dwelling or mobile home, an increase of up to 250 square feet of footprint to the rear (non-shoreline side) of a single family dwelling or mobile home, and/or the addition of a stoop no larger than 25 square feet providing access to the rear or side of a single family dwelling or mobile home does not require a variance. There are minor expansions allowed for other types of lawfully nonconforming structures, as well; please contact the Agency for more information.

The Adirondack Park Agency Act – Study Rivers

Portions of the following rivers are designated as "study rivers" for possible inclusion under the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers System Act⁵:

Outside Hamlet and Industrial Use areas, subdivisions and new land use and development within study river corridors generally require an Agency permit.

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¹ See Appendix Q-6 to Agency regulations for a full description of the designated river corridor segments.

² Fences, poles, signs of less than two square feet in area, lean-tos, docks, bridges, and stream improvement structures for fishery management purposes are excepted from this requirement.

³ “New land use or development” is defined as any construction or other activity that materially changes the use or appearance of land or a structure or the intensity of the use of land or a structure. Landscaping or grading not connected to another land use and ordinary repairs, maintenance, or interior alterations to an existing structure or use do not constitute new land use or development.

⁴ Fences, poles, signs of less than two square feet in area, lean-tos, docks, boathouses, bridges, and stream improvement structures for fishery management purposes are excepted from this requirement.

⁵ See Appendix Q-5 to Agency regulations for a full description of the study river corridor segments.