Adirondack Council Statement on Modified APA State Land Master Plan Amendments
“The Adirondack Council applauds Governor Kathy Hochul and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for modifying the proposed amendment package to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan,” said Raul J. Aguirre, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council. “We are especially pleased that the revised proposal removes changes to key definitions that would have opened sensitive Wilderness Areas to motor vehicle use. These changes protect the integrity of the ‘forever wild’ Forest Preserve and the fragile ecosystems within it and chart a path forward for better accessibility management across the state.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with state officials to improve access to the Adirondack Park for people of all abilities while preserving the wild character that makes this place so special,” Aguirre added. “This decision represents a win for accessibility and for wilderness conservation.”
In February, the APA announced it had received more than 1,200 public comments on its initial proposal, which included provisions that could have permitted motorized vehicles—including cars and trucks—within designated Wilderness Areas. The majority of these public comments underscored the need to protect these critical habitats from motorized impacts.
Wilderness is core to what makes the Adirondack Park unique among American protected landscapes: vast tracts of undeveloped, motor-free wilderness. Maintaining restrictions on motorized access ensures that New York’s most sensitive natural habitats remain undisturbed, allowing rare plants, wildlife, and entire ecosystems to thrive.
The Adirondack Park includes more than two million acres of Forest Preserve and State Conservation Easement Lands where motorized recreation is already permitted. Additionally, mobility devices such as motorized wheelchairs and other similarly assistive trail equipment are allowed throughout the Forest Preserve, ensuring access for persons with disabilities without compromising wilderness protections.
Founded in 1975, the Adirondack Council is a privately funded, not-for-profit organization committed to protecting the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. The Park contains one of the largest intact temperate forests in the world and is home to approximately 130,000 New Yorkers.
The Council advances its mission through research, education, advocacy, and legal action. It envisions an Adirondack Park with clean air and water, core wilderness areas, working farms and forests, and inclusive, thriving communities.