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Conservation Update

APA OKs Plan to Ban Floatplanes on Lows Lake After 2011

The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) passed a resolution to ban floatplanes on Lows Lake after 2011.  This is a positive end result to a lengthy and arduous battle. The serene, wild character of Lows Lake will finally be protected from floatplane landings by the 2012 paddling season.

Although the latest plan will continue to allow floatplanes to land on Lows Lake throughout the next three seasons, ADK was victorious in getting the APA and DEC to begin the process for wilderness classification of the Lows Lake Primitive Area, Lows Lake itself, as well as any unclassified lands on the southern shore of Lows Lake.  These tracts will be considered for addition to the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. 

The start of this classification process is long overdue.  With this recommendation put forth by the APA, Lows Lake will be managed appropriately, without contest. 

Throughout the debate over floatplane use, ADK had learned that the lake itself had been intended to be classified as Wilderness.  ADK has always known that these lands were wild, no matter what DEC considered their classification.  Thanks to the hard work from our members and staff, these lands will be classified indisputably.

Read ADK’s press release here.

Allison D. Beals
Director of Government Relations & Conservation
Adirondack Mountain Club
301 Hamilton Street
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: 518-449-3870
Fax: 518-449-3875