Large Portion Of The Adirondacks Gains Protection

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The Essex Chain of lakes, which is part of the purchase, is expected to attract anglers, boaters and campers once it becomes public land. Image Credit green.blogs.nytimes.com.

As anticipated, the state of New York has bought a huge chunk of the Adirondacks and plans to open the land to the public for recreational use.

The state has acquired 69,000 acres for $49.8 million, a sum to be paid out over five years under a contract with the Nature Conservancy. The stage was set for the deal in 2007, when the Nature Conservancy bought  161,000 acres from Finch Paper to keep development away from land that state officials say includes important recreational and environmental assets.

The newly purchased property includes 180 miles of rivers and streams; 175 lakes and ponds; 465 miles of undeveloped shoreline along rivers, streams, lakes and ponds; six mountains taller than 2,000 feet, and countless smaller hills.

Most of the land lies within the central lake and tourist region of the Adirondack Park in the towns of Newcomb, Indian Lake, North Hudson and Minerva.

“Today’s agreement will make the Adirondack Park one of the most sought-after destinations for paddlers, hikers, hunters, sportspeople and snowmobilers,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement announcing the sales agreement with the Nature Conservancy. “Opening these lands to public use and enjoyment for the first time in 150 years will provide extraordinary new outdoor recreational opportunities, increase the number of visitors to the North Country and generate additional tourism revenue,” he said.

The state must now classify the lands and develop recreational plans to allow public access while protecting natural resources, officials said. Public hearings on land uses will be held before final approval.