Recently, a number of Adirondack-focused organizations visited Albany for what is known as Adirondack Day.
The goal of this event is to educate legislators and staff about the Adirondack region and the many benefits and drawbacks of being incorporated in the large and heavily-regulated area.
The Adirondacks is a six million acre swath of land, half of which is owned by private individuals. The rest of the land is public and mostly owned by the state.
Interestingly enough, 84 percent is dedicated to preservation, conservation, recreation and resource management.
I don’t think anyone would disagree that the Adirondacks are well worth preserving, but the tight control and regulation are creating some problems that are affecting the economic well-being of the communities scattered throughout the park.
The Adirondack communities are losing families, jobs and revenue.
This problem is coming to a head and I am very concerned.
Like the Adirondacks’ eco-system, which requires a balance of all its parts, our communities and park would benefit from the same consideration.
The Adirondack Park and the communities within its boundaries are heavily regulated by the Adirondack Park Agency.
This bureaucratic entity has had its powers expanded over the years, and is a source of excessive red tape that is killing economic and private sector job growth.
This, in turn, has led to families leaving, the tax base drying up for small municipalities, struggling schools and threatening a way of life that has existed for hundreds of years.
Many of these problems can be addressed by wise land use and management.
The Adirondack Park State Land Master plan, which is supposed to be updated every five years, is overdue by about 22 years.
Much has changed in our state, economy and land and resource management since 1987.
We must rethink how land should be used throughout this region to provide the municipal services and infrastructure needed by residents and job creators.
We must strike a balance regarding land and resource use in the park, which preserves the beauty and animals of the Adirondacks, but also helps the heritage communities in the region prosper.
I believe we are blessed by this amazing natural wonder, and know that careful review of policies regarding the region will only make it better for all of us.
I welcome your input. Share your thoughts and ideas with me by calling my Herkimer office at 315-866-1632 or emailing me at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us.