Memo of Support for Amendment of Article XIV Re: Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Memo of Support for Amendment of Article XIV Re: Mt. Van Hoevenberg

S. 5227 (Harckham) A. 7454 (Jones) Amendment of Article XIV Re. Mt. Van Hoevenberg
S. 6888 (Harckham) A. 3628 (Jones) Implementing bill, Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve lends support for second legislative passage of the constitutional amendment of Article XIV, Section 1, authorizing biathlon and nordic ski trails on 322 acres of Forest Preserve (classified Intensive Use, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, North Elba), plus appurtenances as defined, in exchange for no less than 2,500 acres to be added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

The amendment is necessary to authorize construction on 322 acres, after-the-fact, of facilities attracting international athletes in nordic and biathlon competition. While after-the-fact constitutional authorization is never desirable, it is necessary to bring the Olympic Sports Complex into compliance with Article XIV. International standards for biathlon and nordic skiing have proven necessary to attract world athletes to Lake Placid. This amendment provides a needed public benefit or purpose that could not be provided in any other way than an amendment of Article XIV.

In return for intensive competitive uses on the 322 acres, ORDA will acquire no less than 2,500 wild acres from willing sellers to add to the Forest Preserve in exchange. The state legislature must find these to be identified lands to come into the Forest Preserve as suitable and of equal or greater value.

The related implementing legislation appropriately excludes ORDA construction of facilities unrelated to nordic skiing and biathalon, such as tennis courts, zip lines, swimming pools or ATV trails. We support implementing legislation as well.

April 14, 2025
For more information:
David Gibson, Managing Partner
Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve
518-469-4081
[email protected]