Jan52025
Current IssuesAdirondack Park Agency sign in front of building

COMMENTARY: Ten Questions to Challenge Business as Usual at the APA

By David Gibson

The Adirondack Park Agency’s monthly public comment opportunities and long list of permits issued during the year are duly posted on the APA website and at Adirondack Almanack. This posting of basic Agency information is positive. However, behind the apparent conduct of business as usual are important questions facing the Agency and its state executive and legislative oversight in 2025, among them:

  1. When will APA leaders brief the public about the status, feasibility study, and alternatives analysis for a new Agency headquarters? $29 million was earmarked for a new headquarters in 2022. APA leadership unveiled a preferred location in Saranac Lake before considering feasible alternatives. The consequences have been costly for the Village of Saranac Lake and for APA staff morale since 2022. Some manner of APA public briefing on this important subject has been promised since 2023 and repeatedly postponed. A consultant’s report is rumored to be complete, but not yet released. Sunlight should be shed on these questions and soon.
  2. What is the NYS Inspector General investigating at APA since 2023? When will the public be informed?
  3. In recent times, the heads of scientific services, regulatory affairs, and legal counsel have been hired and then left after just a year or two of service. Why this rapid turnover? Is APA leadership providing employees with clear expectations and necessary support?
  4. Is the Americans with Disabilities Act requiring APA to weaken State Land Master Plan restrictions on motorized uses in Wilderness areas, or is it something else? Why didn’t the Agency’s State Land Committee review and debate drafts of Plan amendments, and alternatives before releasing them for comment? Before amending the Master Plan, why shouldn’t DEC policy about use of power-driven mobility devices on State Lands be drafted and discussed?
  5. This year all seven citizen members of the APA will be serving expired terms, and there is one two year old vacancy. Will Governor Hochul nominate new APA members in 2025, and what environmental competencies and standards will she set for nominees to oversee private development, resource planning, and State Land protection?
  6. The Adirondack Park is a treasure in which forests play a crucial climate mitigation function. APA’s budget and staffing have remained flat for years. Is Governor Hochul satisfied with APA’s performance in climate mitigation and lake/shoreline protection? What expectations for improvement will she set in her budget and legislative proposals?
  7. Will APA ever hold another public hearing to obtain independent, cross-examined evidence about complex permit applications in order to gather evidence to render an informed determination of no undue adverse impacts? The last such hearing was in 2011. Or, should the law change to authorize APA to deny a project without a hearing while providing project applicants the right to ask for a hearing in case of denial?
  8. Does the Agency continue to oppose 2019 legislation to improve the design of the largest private residential subdivisions to avoid forest fragmentation, and better protect streams, ponds, lakes and wildlife habitats? Why shouldn’t APA adopt conservation subdivision design principles as the Park standard ?
  9. Should the State Legislature hold a hearing about APA’s performance as well as the needs and benefits of updating the 52 year-old law to better protect the Park’s resources during climate change? What regulatory changes not requiring legislation should be considered that might improve protection of Park resources and the North Country’s resilience during climate change?
  10. Shouldn’t future APA executive directors be subject to State Senate confirmation, like the DEC and other state agency heads?

One could go on, but I should stop. The APA remains a small, underfunded, vitally important state agency with statewide and national significance and interest, an outdated law, hardworking staff, and lessons to share with the world. In 2025 it deserves better, stronger leadership, critical questioning, and more investigative journalism, legislative oversight, and citizen advocacy to challenge business as usual at Ray Brook.

Photo at top: Explorer file photo by Gwendolyn Craig.