PRESS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release:                                Contact:

Thursday, February 14, 2008                              Paul Ertelt, (518) 449-3870,

                                                                       paulertelt@adk.org

 

Finch, Pruyn Deal Good News for Adirondacks

The agreement between the state Department of Environmental Conservation and The Nature Conservancy to protect thousands of acres of former Finch, Pruyn lands in the Adirondack Park will provide innumerable environmental, recreational and economic benefits for all New Yorkers, said Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil F. Woodworth.

“This deal will protect some of the most scenic private lands in the Adirondacks, lands of great environmental and recreational importance,” Woodworth said. “They include the highest waterfall in the park, spectacular sections of the Hudson River Gorge and miles of wild rivers. Opening these natural treasures to the public for the first time will greatly enhance the allure of the Adirondacks as one of the nation’s premier tourism destinations.”

The plan will provide public access to OK Slip Falls on the Hudson River Gorge and to the southern High Peaks region. It will provide access to seven lakes and 15 ponds in the Essex Chain of Lakes, creating the Adirondacks’ second canoe area.

“This plan will make the Hudson River the longest and most exciting whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking opportunity in the Northeast,” Woodworth said.

Woodworth said he also hopes the Little High Peaks near Indian Lake, with its many hiking opportunities, will be open for public use in the future.

While protecting the most environmental sensitive resources and providing public access for recreation, the plan also leaves the most productive land as working forests, preserving jobs in the forest-products industry and maintaining traditional sporting clubs.

“TNC and DEC should be applauded for developing a thoughtful, balanced plan that benefits all concerned,” Woodworth said.

The Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) evaluated the former Finch, Pruyn lands using a new Geographic Information System (GIS) being developed as part of the Forest Preserve Planning Project. GIS-based information considered in ADK’s evaluation included the location of state lands, easements, trails and other facilities in relation to the former Finch, Pruyn lands, including the extent to which they provide access to adjoining Forest Preserve land. It also included information on topography, wetlands, habitat of endangered species, soils and slopes.

ADK also interviewed people with extensive first-hand hiking experience on the Finch properties and adjoining properties. ADK visited adjoining state lands to photograph and study the properties and flew over the former Finch, Pruyn land.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.

Click here to read the DEC-TNC press release.