Governor Hochul approves major amendments to Adirondack Park state land master plan to protect millions of acres

New York – In a significant step toward strengthening the protection and management of New York’s most iconic natural landscapes, Governor Kathy Hochul has approved a series of amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (SLMP). These amendments, recommended by the Adirondack Park Agency Board, are designed to safeguard the roughly 2.9 million acres of public land that make up the Adirondack Park, enhancing conservation efforts while improving accessibility and recreational opportunities for visitors of all abilities.

“From providing clean drinking water to welcoming millions of visitors every year to enjoy the outdoors, the Adirondack Park is a national treasure and a symbol of New York’s environmental leadership,” Governor Hochul said. “These amendments ensure that New York remains at the forefront of public land preservation and conservation for the benefit of New Yorkers today and tomorrow. By strengthening resilience and promoting sustainable recreation, we are safeguarding the Adirondacks for the next generation while preserving their wild character.”

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan serves as the guiding document for the management and use of state lands within the Adirondack Forest Preserve. By classifying land according to protection levels and permissible activities, the SLMP establishes a framework for balancing environmental preservation with public access. The newly approved amendments ensure that planning for this vast natural resource now incorporates principles of inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainable recreation management.

Central to the amendments is the enhanced focus on habitat protection, climate risk management, and recreational accessibility. The changes empower both the Adirondack Park Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to take a more proactive role in addressing environmental challenges while ensuring that public lands remain open and welcoming to visitors. Among the improvements:

• Strengthened protections for habitats and open spaces while mitigating climate-related risks that could threaten recreational infrastructure.
• Improved public access for persons with disabilities through the identification of existing accessible facilities and evaluation of opportunities for additional infrastructure.
• Integration of sustainable outdoor recreation practices, including visitor use management strategies, into broader public land planning.
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The amendments also address wildlife management and historic site preservation. State land managers will now include considerations for climate change, accessibility, and visitor use in management plans for each land parcel, ensuring that the Forest Preserve remains resilient in the face of increasing visitation and extreme weather events.

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A notable addition to the Adirondack Park system, the 585-acre Four Peaks Tract in the Towns of Wilmington and Jay, has been classified as Wild Forest under the updated SLMP. Featuring a mix of meadowlands and mountainous terrain, this tract was identified in the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan as an area with high conservation value and recreational potential. It is expected to expand opportunities for outdoor activities in the Ausable River Valley while maintaining its natural character.

Barbara Rice, Executive Director of the Adirondack Park Agency, praised the Governor’s decision, saying, “The Agency thanks Governor Hochul for her decisive environmental leadership. This action concludes nearly two years of hard work and thoughtful deliberation. These amendments will ensure the State continues to protect New York’s globally significant natural resources as we work to ensure access to our public lands to people of all abilities.”

DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton highlighted the plan’s long-term stewardship role, noting, “The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan has guided DEC’s careful stewardship of the Adirondack Forest Preserve for more than 50 years. These amendments will help the State address the challenges associated with increased visitation and extreme weather events while ensuring the Forest Preserve remains accessible for all people.”

State Senator Pete Harckham emphasized the need for adaptive management, observing, “The smart stewardship of the Adirondack Park necessitates making modifications to management and protection models that acknowledge modernization and growing use. Governor Hochul’s approved amendments to the Park’s State Land Master Plan take into consideration accessibility for visitors with unique abilities, climate change risks and balancing recreation with land conservation, all which will strengthen and protect this magnificent resource for future generations.”

The amendments have received broad support from environmental advocacy organizations. Raul J. Aguirre, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council, said, “The Adirondack Council thanks Governor Hochul and the Adirondack Park Agency for listening to public concerns, modifying the agency’s original amendments to ensure that the State Land Master Plan continues to protect the ecology and wild character of the Adirondack Park, while providing access to people of all abilities.”

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Similarly, Cortney Worrall, Executive Director of ADK, expressed approval of the plan’s emphasis on inclusivity and environmental resilience: “Thank you to Governor Hochul for approving the Adirondack Park Agency’s amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. ADK is so pleased that access for all while safeguarding the Forest Preserve is an imperative. We welcome New York State’s dedication to Visitor Use Management planning and additions to the State Land Master Plan — a proactive, adaptive strategy to protect natural resources and enhance visitor experiences. ADK also greatly appreciates how we can better meet the climate change challenge without delay through mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.”

Local governance bodies have also voiced their support. Gerald Delaney, Executive Director of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, said, “The Review Board commends Governor Hochul for advancing these important amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan. Local government strongly supports the commitment to increase access for persons with disabilities and incorporate best management practices that will ensure the State can effectively manage emerging trends in public use and continue to safeguard the unique natural resources of the Park for future generations.”

The focus on accessibility extends beyond recreational trails and facilities. Rob Riley, President of the Northern Forest Center, highlighted the broader social and health benefits: “The Northern Forest Center appreciates the improvements made to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan to ensure more equitable access to state land for all people, especially those with disabilities. As an organization working at the intersection of forests and communities for nearly thirty years, we know how important improved access to nature is for individual enjoyment and health as well as for our collective stewardship of public lands and waters.”

Conservation efforts for species at risk were also reinforced. Dorothy Waldt, Executive Director of the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, stressed the ecological significance of the amendments: “The Center is grateful to the Governor for approving these amendments. The common loon, a species of special concern in New York State, has been experiencing a demonstrated decline in reproductive success. With the approval of these amendments, we look forward to the emblematic calls of loons echoing across Adirondack lakes for years to come.”

The SLMP amendments reflect a growing awareness of the importance of adaptive management in the face of modern environmental and societal challenges. By embedding considerations for climate resilience, accessibility, and sustainable recreation, the State is positioning itself to balance the dual goals of environmental protection and public enjoyment. The Four Peaks Tract acquisition illustrates this approach, combining ecological preservation with the potential to enhance recreational access in the region.

Governor Hochul’s approval comes after nearly two years of extensive public consultation, research, and deliberation by state agencies and advocacy groups. Stakeholders from across the environmental, governmental, and local community spectrum worked to ensure that the amendments addressed contemporary challenges while honoring the Forest Preserve’s historic mission to protect natural resources and provide public enjoyment.

Experts agree that these changes could serve as a model for other protected areas, demonstrating how large-scale public land management can evolve without compromising ecological integrity. By integrating visitor use planning, climate mitigation strategies, and universal accessibility into a long-standing framework, New York is setting a benchmark for how states can manage the growing demands on natural landscapes responsibly.

The Adirondack Park continues to be a vital resource for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Its vast forests, pristine waters, and diverse ecosystems provide critical habitat, recreational opportunities, and environmental services such as water purification and carbon sequestration. The newly approved amendments ensure that this iconic park will continue to thrive as a public asset for generations to come, balancing ecological protection with thoughtful human use.

As the Adirondack Park moves into this next phase of stewardship, officials emphasize that the success of these amendments will depend on ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and public engagement. By considering the impacts of climate change, increasing visitation, and the need for accessibility, the State aims to protect the Adirondacks’ wild character while making the park more inclusive and resilient.

In conclusion, the approval of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan amendments represents a landmark moment in New York’s environmental history. Through thoughtful planning, inclusivity, and a commitment to sustainability, Governor Hochul and her administration have ensured that the Adirondack Park remains a cherished public resource, a haven for wildlife, and a model for conservation leadership. The park’s future, strengthened by these measures, promises a balance between protecting its natural treasures and welcoming all visitors to experience the beauty and majesty of New York’s vast forested landscapes.