Action Alert

Aug. 12, 2008

APA Accepting Comments on Lows Lake Floatplanes

Decision Could Impact Wilderness Character of All Adirondack Waters

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is taking up the issue of floatplanes on Lows Lake, an issue that could have major consequences for wilderness waters throughout the Adirondack Park.

Floatplane use on the lake was supposed to be phased out over a five-year period that ended in January, but the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) never adopted regulations to implement the phaseout. Now DEC wants to establish a permit system that would allow floatplanes on Lows Lake for up to 10 more years. (For more background, read our June 3 Action Alert.)

But DEC is not merely ignoring state law. It is attempting to set a precedent that would undermine the whole concept of wilderness waters in the Adirondacks. According to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP), which is part of state Executive Law, "preservation of the wild character of this canoe route without motorboat or airplane usage … is the primary management goal for this primitive area." Under the APSLMP, floatplanes are prohibited in wilderness and primitive areas. The APSLMP defines wilderness and primitive areas as "land or water," but DEC is claiming that the wilderness/primitive protections in the APSLMP apply only to land and not to water bodies. How can a canoe route not consist of water bodies? If this argument were to stand, DEC could strip protection from any wilderness or primitive waters at its whim!

APA will base it decision on whether the DEC proposal conforms to the APSLMP. APA, which may consider the proposed permit system at its Sept. 11-12 meeting, is accepting written public comments through Sept. 2. Supporters of floatplane operation are well-organized and are conducting their own letter-writing campaign. The voice for wilderness needs to be heard! (If you have already written to DEC about this issue, please send a copy of your letter to APA.) Letters should be sent to:

Richard Weber
Assistant Director for Planning
Planning Division
Adirondack Park Agency
PO Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977

(Please e-mail us a copy at adkadvocacy@nycap.rr.com.)