For Release: Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Revised Proposal for Limited Floatplane Access to Lows Lake Released
DEC Proposal Restricts Areas, Shortens Time Frame; APA To Consider in March
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) today announced the release of revisions to the draft management plan of the Bog River Flow Complex. Among the changes, DEC has proposed an amendment that would allow for continued floatplane access to a limited portion of Lows Lake for nearly four years, with a "sunset" date of Dec. 31, 2012.
Under the proposal, floatplane access would be managed through a permit system and designed to minimize user conflicts and resource impacts by controlling the frequency, location and timing of access. The new DEC amendment differs from a previous proposal to extend floatplane access for 10 years.
The proposed revisions were published today in the state's Environmental News Bulletin.
Located in the northwest area of the Adirondack Park, Lows Lake is divided among three towns: Clifton, Colton, and Long Lake. Its eastern end is in Colton and is within what's known as the Bog River Flow Complex Management Area.
The "Unit Management Plan" for the Bog River Flow Complex called for the end of floatplane access to Lows Lake by 2008. DEC had proposed a 10-year extension of commercial floatplane operations. In October 2008, APA found that the extension was not consistent with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP).
DEC's new proposal would extend floatplane access only for the Colton portion of the lake and only until Dec. 31, 2012. Floatplane access would be allowed east and north of a line defined by the boundary of St. Lawrence and Hamilton counties and the Town of Colton line. In addition, DEC has proposed to manage Lows Lake west of the Colton town line as wilderness, precluding both public and administrative use of motor vehicles, motor boats and aircraft.
An informational presentation about the proposed revisions is scheduled for the Feb. 12 APA Board meeting. APA plans to consider APSLMP compliance for this proposal at its March 12-13, 2009, meeting.
DEC and APA are accepting public comments on the revisions to the Bog River Flow Unit Management Plan until Feb. 20. To facilitate the process, DEC and APA will be sharing comments received.
Please send written comments related to issues specific to the proposal for the Bog River Flow Unit Management Plan to:
Peter Frank, NYS DEC, Division of Lands and Forests, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4254. Or e-mail: lfadk@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
Please send written comments related to APSLMP compliance issues to:
Richard Weber, Adirondack Park Agency, PO Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977. Or e-mail: apa_slmp@gw.dec.state.ny.us
The proposed amendments to the Bog River Complex are available at the APA web site, www.apa.state.ny.us, and at the DEC web site, and the Environmental News Bulletin.
