RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are holding a joint public comment period to solicit comments for a Draft Unit Management Plan (UMP) Amendment for the Mount Van Hoevenberg Winter Recreation Area Intensive Use Area, also known as the Olympic Sports Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg.

The approximately 1,600 acre unit is located in the Town of North Elba, Essex County. The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) provides facility management under a Memorandum of Understanding between ORDA and the DEC.

The draft amendment proposes rerouting two parallel cross country ski trail segments from private lands to Forest Preserve Lands. The reroute will eliminate the use of existing trails located on lands that are part of an expired temporary easement. The approximately 1,200-foot reroute will require two bridge crossings and cutting down of 367 trees. A total of 1.69 acres will be impacted by the construction.

The draft amendment is available for public review as it undergoes separate but concurrent review at each of the agencies. In an effort to streamline the Unit Management Plan review process, the APA and the DEC have agreed to offer simultaneous public comment. The APA’s public review is to determine the amendment’s compliance with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. The DEC seeks public input on the details of the UMP. Both agencies will organize and share the public material that is received through a consultative process.

The amendment can be viewed online at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/107185.html. Copies are also available at the DEC Region 5 Office, 1115 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook.

Comments are welcome and will be accepted until August 26, 2016.

Comments may be sent to Kris Alberga, NYSDEC, P.O. Box 296, Ray Brook, NY 12977 or e-mailed to r5.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Please address all written comments pertaining to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan conformance to:

Kathy Regan
Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Fax: 518-891-3938
Email - SLMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov