Please
Note: Comment Period is Over
Adirondack
Park Agency to Decide the Fate of Forest Preserve Areas
We Need Your Help to Stop ATV Damage in the Park
The Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently proposed amendments
to Unit Management Plans (UMPs) and an administrative action
that would close 54 roads to all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use by
the general public in the western part of the Park. These UMP
amendments will ensure that ATV access on Forest Preserve lands
is consistent with state law and will protect the natural resources
from further ATV damage.
The DEC has submitted
the proposed UMP amendments and the administrative action to
the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for its review. The APA will
be deciding the fate of these amendments at the upcoming Agency
meeting in July. ATVs could be banned from this part of the Forest
Preserve this summer if you write a letter to the Park Agency
today!
Why This is
Happening
The DEC evaluated
54 roads that are currently open to ATV access within the Aldrich
Pond, Independence River, Black River and Watson’s East
Wild Forest areas to determine which ones were suitable for public
ATV access. They found that the State Vehicle and Traffic Law
prohibits the use of ATVs on roads that are open to motor vehicle
use, unless they provide ATVs access to adjacent areas which
they could not otherwise get to. DEC concluded that many of these
roads do not comply with this state law and that they must be
closed to ATV’s use by the general public.
To close the
roads to ATVs, the DEC proposed amendments to three of the UMPs
for these areas and an administrative action for the Watson’s
East Wild Forest. Presently, this area does not have a UMP, so
those roads must be closed via administrative action until a
UMP can be created.
And Why It
is so Important
For years, the
Council has heard from its members and others that ATVs have
been "chewing up" the Forest Preserve. Like you, we
believe that the Forest Preserve belongs to all New Yorkers.
It should be protected from destruction by a few people with
powerful machines that can cause ecological damage in a matter
of minutes. There are thousands of acres of conservation easement
lands and other private properties in the Adirondacks that are
far better suited for ATV use.
The Council has
seen and documented ATV damage on the Forest Preserve. We have
been working with the NYS Legislature to ban ATVs from all Forest
Preserve areas in the Adirondacks. A bill to do that is still
under consideration in both houses. But in the mean time, these
proposed amendments are a great step in protecting the Forest
Preserve from further ATV abuse.
You have an
opportunity to help end ATV use in these areas of the Forest
Preserve. Please contact the Adirondack Park Agency today.
In your letter:
- Urge the
APA to adopt the proposed UMP amendments for the Aldrich Pond,
Independence River, and Black River Wild Forest areas and approve
the administrative action for the Watson’s East Wild Forest
to stop ATV use on roads in these areas.
- Tell the
Agency that these areas of the Adirondacks have suffered long
enough and they must protect the Park’s natural resources.
- Tell them
you support the DEC’s decision to correct past management
mistakes of allowing unbridled ATV use on these roads. Urge them
to close ALL of the 54 roads to ATV access that are currently
under consideration.
The ATV owners
are already contacting the APA urging them to allow ATV access
on these Forest Preserve areas. It is extremely important that
you contact the Agency today!
The
APA will be deciding the fate of these proposals at the July
8th and 9th meeting, Please send or fax your letter to:
Rick
Weber
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977
phone: 518-891-4050
fax: 518-891-3938
For
more information on the proposed amendments to the UMPs visit
the APA’s website at:
http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Mailing/stateLand.htm
Please help us
protect the Adirondack Forest Preserve from further ATV damage.
Please send your letter today. If you could, also send or e-mail
us a copy of your letter.
If you have any
questions, please call toll-free at 877-873-2240 or e-mail us
at activists@adirondackcouncil.org.
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