Defending Forever Wild Annual Report 2015-16 Letter from the Chair

Forest Preserve purchases are key to a wild and protected Park

Board of Directors Dear Members,

Charles Clusen As you read this we’re all in the middle of public hear- Chair ings on the formal classification of the ’s newest Forest Preserve lands — the Boreas Ponds. The question Marilyn DuBois is whether these lands will be classified as Wilderness, Sidney Harring which prohibits motorized recreational uses, or Wild For- Michael Wilson est, which allows motorized recreational uses. These are Vice-Chairs big questions, but it’s important to bear in mind how far we have come. The most important thing was the protection James McMartin Long of the Boreas Ponds by the Nature Conservancy and pur- Secretary chase of this 21,500-acre tract by the State of New York for the Forest Preserve. These lands became forever wild David Quinn Treasurer this year. Had these lands been sold to a private buyer they could have been commercially developed, subdivided Nancy Bernstein into building lots, or developed as a large resort. If that had happened, we would all be em- John Caffry broiled in an entirely different kind of public debate and very different public hearings. Dean Cook Lorraine Duvall The purchase of the Boreas Ponds by Governor Andrew Cuomo completed his commitment Robert Glennon to purchase 69,000 acres that had been owned and managed as timberlands by Finch, Roger Gray Pruyn and Company since the Civil War. All of these lands have been added to the Forest Evelyn Greene Preserve. The Governor has also purchased other important new lands such as Cat Moun- Peter Hornbeck tain and Thomas Mountain in Bolton, the Berry Pond tract on the flanks of Prospect Moun- Dale Jeffers tain above Lake George, and the Casey Brook tract north of Elk Lake. Mark Lawton Peter O’Shea The Cuomo land buys followed purchase of 95,000 acres of conservation easements by Philip Terrie Governor David Paterson. Governor George Pataki famously protected over 700,000 acres through purchases of conservation easements and another 125,000 acres of new For- Peter Bauer est Preserve lands. Governor Mario Cuomo purchased over 150,000 acres of new Forest Executive Director Preserve lands and 100,000 acres of the state’s first conservation easements. Governor Andrew Cuomo has ably continued this long and fine New York tradition of protecting vital Annual Report 2015-16 lands and expanding the Forest Preserve. This bipartisan, multi-generational tradition has November 2016 made the Forest Preserve one of New York’s greatest accomplishments.

Published by There are many who have worked on dozens of major state land purchases and we’re grate- Protect the Adirondacks ful to the many players who made these land buys a reality. This has been terrific work. PO Box 769 Lake George, NY Each year, Protect the Adirondacks advocates for public land protection funding in the Envi- 12845 ronmental Protection Fund as part of the state’s annual budget. We lobby legislators and promote the importance of different purchases and the benefits of public land protection. We 518.685.3088 [email protected] lobby the Governor and state agencies for the purchase of specific lands. Widespread public www.protectadks.org support across the state for land protection in the is a major reason why the Like Us on Facebook State of New York has made such an amazing investment over the past three decades. Follow us on Twitter @ProtectAdkPark Beyond, land protection advocacy, this annual report is chock full of action and results. We’ve worked to uphold the forever wild provision, stop tree cutting on the Forest Preserve, Cover picture is looking defend wild rivers, and expand water quality monitoring, among other actions. We could northeast from the not do this important work with out the support of our members. We’re very grateful for your Vanderwhacker Mountain steadfast support. Your support keeps us going and helps defend and protect the Adiron- firetower. dack Park. Thank you.

—Chuck Clusen, Chair, Board of Directors

1 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 2015-16 Action Map

2015-2016 Protect the Adirondacks’ Action Map

Protect the Adirondacks works broadly and effectively throughout the Adirondack Park to defend the “forever wild” Forest Preserve, great forests, waters, and wildlife. This map shows action sites over the past year.

Conservation Success Action Site Clearcutting Action Site Invasive Species/Local Laws Action Site Forest Preserve Management Action Site Private Land Development Action Site Water Quality Monitoring Action Site Cougar Watch Sighting

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 2 Members Survey

Membership survey says to defend the Forest Preserve, protect water quality, and expand Wilderness areas

Last spring, Protect the Adirondacks distributed a “Mem- ment of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Adiron- bers Survey” along with invitations to our annual meeting. dack Park Agency (APA) over wilderness areas, backcoun- We received a response from about 8% of our members. try development and motorized use of the Forest Preserve, This survey yielded good feedback from our members on others were more concerned about the long-term impact of both the work of Protect the Adirondacks and the major is- climate change on the Park. Other members expressed a sues facing the Adirondack Park. concern about local economic development and balancing the needs of communities with these ecological goals. With all that is going on in the Adirondack Park right now, the Board works hard to allocate our limited resources There was some conflict in these positions as some mem- in the most effective ways. We all agree that we wind up bers urged us to stay local, and not concern ourselves with spending much of our time simply “fighting fires” as we re- broader issues, like climate change. Others members were spond to new and ongoing threats to the Adirondack Park concerned about invasive species, degraded water qual- and the Forest Preserve. We are concerned with setting ity, and snowmobile use of the backcountry. All in all, these the right priorities and saw this opportunity to take stock of substantive comments covered a broad range of issues the thoughts of our membership. The survey form was de- that provided important feedback from our membership that liberately short, so people would take the time to fill it out, the Board takes into account and which we will use in the but also substantive, asking members what they thought of months ahead in our strategic planning. our work and the major challenges facing the Adirondacks. One part of the survey asked members to rank the impor- We found the results very useful in a number of ways. First tance of a dozen different issues and challenges facing of all, we were very impressed with the depth of knowledge the Adirondack Park. The members voted that “Defense our membership has about Forest Preserve issues, which of the Forest Preserve” was the top priority of PROTECT. seem to be the passion point for many. The core values ex- “Water quality monitoring and protection of clean water” pressed in the survey reflect the goals of the organization: came in a close second in importance. “Monitoring private first and foremost defend and expand the Forest Preserve. land use and development” came in third. “Rebuilding the Adirondack Park Agency” and “Expansion of Wilderness Second, the Board wanted to learn from differences of areas” came in fourth and fifth. These selections affirmed opinion within the organization. And there were differences. our focus on these issues with our existing programs and While some want to focus on the struggles with the Depart- conservation and advocacy work.

3 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Members Survey Picture by Ellen Collins by Picture

Some of our members wrote very supportive comments When asked “What do you see as the barriers for expand- about the work that PROTECT has done: “You people ing environmental protections for the Adirondack Park?” are strong advocates”. Others praised our “willingness over half indicated political will, blaming local and state to take uncompromising positions on issues affecting the government (including the Cuomo Administration, the APA Adirondacks.” Others took us to task and we appreciate and DEC.) The call for more economic development was the disagreements as well. Some expressed opposition to the second most prevalent reason, followed by poorly any reintroduction of carnivores, others with our position educated citizens and human indifference. The last two are against clearcutting on private forest lands. Some praised tied together by one comment about barriers: “Poorly edu- our aggressiveness in protection of the Park, while oth- cated citizenry on the economic value of wilderness areas ers thought we might be overly provocative and needed for the ecological services they provide.” to reach out more to Park residents. Others were strongly supportive of our overall work and approaches, but thought PROTECT is concerned with our use of litigation to pro- that PROTECT needs better “marketing” of our message. tect the environment. When asked if this was an effective strategy, over 90% said “yes”, some with caveats, such as The Adirondack Park faces a complex range of issues, “If you think you have a good case”, “perhaps dollars better including matters that reasonable people might disagree spent in education and training”, and “Yes, if used care- on. Indeed, the Board has disagreements over some of fully, and communicated to the public very, very clearly.” these issues. We appreciate the views of our members and This last issue was indicated in a number of ways, directed please remember that you do not need a survey in order toward making our case to the residents and visitors and to to communicate your views of these issues directly to the local government. Board and staff. Send us letters or emails any time. We read every survey and discussed them at Board meet- One full time resident, who mirrors the majority of the ings. This survey is one important tool to help with a strate- respondents, when asked about the most significant gic planning process that is currently underway. PROTECT environmental issues facing the Park, stated, “over devel- is working on a short-term 3-year strategic plan to expand opment, climate change, and invasive species.” He feels staffing, our budget and membership, and our overall PROTECT’s major strengths are “strong advocacy, sticking impact on Adirondack issues. The Adirondack Park will up for the Forest Preserve”; and our weakness, “lack of always face serious challenges and it’s important to sustain money.” and grow the voice of Protect the Adirondacks.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 4 Conservation & Advocacy Report

The work of protecting the Adirondack Park and defending the “forever wild” Forest Preserve never stops.

In the last year, Protect the Adirondacks played a key role in many of the major issues and challenges facing the Adirondack Park the Forest Preserve.

Allen Redfield Skylight Marcy Pyramid Cliff Haystack Basin

The view of the High Peaks from Boreas Ponds. Picture by Andy Coney Andy by Picture

Each year, the Adirondack Park is confronted by a range of places and natural resources challenges. The Park’s complex landscape of a great un- of the Adirondacks are broken forest dotted with small rural communities presents threatened. We work on a numerous issues each year, some new and many endur- variety of issues to protect ing. Unfortunately, beautiful and wild places are never safe the forests and waters of the and secure forever, but always under threat. Scientists tell Adirondack Park. We de- us that disturbances, such as wind, rain, snow and ice, fire, fended Article XIV, the for- and a changing climate, among other things, drive ecologi- ever wild provision, of the cal changes in the forest and other natural systems. The state constitution, against Adirondack Park landscape is also changed by the deci- plans to clear scores of acres sions that humans make such as where we build houses, and build many miles of road- place roads, or purchase and add lands to the forever wild like trails through the Forest Forest Preserve, among others. These decisions are driven Preserve. We’re working on by elected leaders, state agencies, and local governments the classification of new For- Peter Bauer and various organizations that work to work to protect the est Preserve lands, including Park’s environment, build communities, or strengthen the the newly purchased Boreas Ponds, to make sure that local economy. these lands are protected and classified to manage public recreational use that is appropriate and does not damage In the past year, Protect the Adirondacks has worked to the resources. We worked to stop motorized incursions and take advantage of opportunities to advance environmental trespasses on the Forest Preserve, to stop oil trains from protections and to stand firm on matters where the wild storing dirty oil tanker cars on rail lines that cut through the

5 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Conservation & Advocacy Report

West Stony Creek.

Forest Preserve, and to protect wildlife such as coyotes 10,000 acres of non-controversial classifications. PRO- and bobcats. We worked to defend the Park’s wild rivers, TECT is working to organize public comments in support to reform and modernize the Adirondack Park Agency Act of classifying the entire shoreline of the Boreas Ponds to improve regulation of large subdivisions, and we worked as Wilderness and adding these lands to the High Peaks with local communities to expand broadband access and Wilderness area. We believe that the Gulf Brook Road meet community needs for management of highways and should be retained to provide public access via two car- utilities. We also manage the largest water quality monitor- ries to the Boreas Ponds. PROTECT is also advocating for ing program in the Adirondack Park in partnership with the over 10,000 acres on the flanks of Santanoni Mountain and Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College. another containing over 4 miles of the Opalescent River to be added to the High Peaks Wilderness. Here are the highlight of our work to protect the Adirondack Park and defend the Forest Preserve over the past year. West Stony Creek Wilderness Area: In the southern Adi- rondacks, west of Northville, PROTECT is advocating for a Historic Expansion of the Forest Preserve: Earlier this new 12,000-acre West Stony Creek Wilderness area. This year, the Nature Conservancy transferred the 21,500-acre new wilderness area would include 3,000 acres of newly Boreas Pond tract to the State of New York. This was the purchased Forest Preserve lands and over 9,000 acre final transfer of 69,000 acres of former Finch, Pruyn and of current roadless Forest Preserve lands in the Shaker Company lands, which Governor Andrew Cuomo commit- Mountain Wild Forest area. This 9,000 acre tract contains ted to purchase in 2012. The Boreas Ponds tract will be old growth forests, steep slopes, a number of 1,500-foot- combined with over 15,000 acres of other newly purchased high mountains, and wetlands. The two tracts combined lands in a massive 54,000-acre official Forest Preserve contain over 7 miles of the West Stony Creek river corri- classification public hearing in November-December of dor, which is classified as “Scenic” under the Wild, Scenic 2016. Final decisions on classification of these lands will be and Recreational Rivers Act. The newly purchased also made by state agencies in early 2017. lands contain a vast wetland complex. We’re working to make sure that the proposal for a new West Stony Creek Protect the Adirondacks is advocating for a comprehen- Wilderness area gets a fair hearing in the upcoming public sive classification package of 29,000 acres of Wilderness, hearing. 14,000 acres of Wild Forest, and reclassification of over 9,000 acres of Wild Forest to Wilderness. There is roughly PROTECT’s website has full descriptions and action steps

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 6 Conservation & Advocacy Report

Peter Bauer, Protect the Adirondacks Executive Director, measuring the width of a new class II community connector trail. Picture by Mike Lynch Mike by Picture for the current public hearing on the classification of the During the 2015 and 2016 field seasons, PROTECT put Boreas Ponds tract, among other lands, and the West experts in the field to count trees that were cut down on Stony Creek Wilderness; go to www.protectadks.org. We’re recently constructed trails. We photographed over 12,000 urging members to submit letters by December 30, 2016. tree stumps on trails in the Moose River Plains, Vander- whacker Mountain, and Wilmington Wild Forest areas. We Defending Article XIV, the “Forever Wild” Provision of also documented numerous places where trails changed the State Constitution: Throughout the last year, Protect the wild forest character of the Forest Preserve due to con- the Adirondacks has continued to build our lawsuit to up- struction work by state agencies to widen trails, cut down hold Article XIV, the forever wild provision of the NYS Con- trees, build enormous bridges capable of holding multi-ton stitution, against plans by the State of New York to build a vehicles, and to change terrain with extensive bench cut- network of road-like trails that destroy tens of thousands of ting into side slopes and grading trail surfaces flat. We also trees and clear scores of acres. We believe that this trail documented instances where new trails have experienced network, due to the acres cleared and trees destroyed, erosion, become infested with invasive species, and where requires a constitutional amendment and should not have trails have become vast long grassy fields, starkly different been undertaken solely by state agencies. The framers of from the surrounding forests. In several instances, state the forever wild provision were quite clear that they intend- agencies built these trails, or have proposed to build trails, ed to put major decisions about the future use of the Forest through old growth forests, something that the state failed Preserve in the hands of the people and not politicians or to take into account during its planning. state administrative agencies or bureaucrats who could be susceptible to political pressures. The framers believed This fall, attorneys for PROTECT have submitted a series that major decisions about the use of the Forest Preserve of filings and replies on this case, all of which are posted should be subject to approval by the people. on our website. There will be oral arguments in December on a motion for summary judgement by the state. A trial This past year, PROTECT has focused on putting experts has been set for March 2017. in the field to document the impacts and level of tree cut- ting from construction of new 9-12 foot wide class II com- This summer, PROTECT’s attorneys were successful in munity connector snowmobile trails. We have also worked stopping tree cutting on the Forest Preserve. While the to win injunctions against tree cutting and trail building on state cut out over 4 miles of new trails in the Vanderwhack- these trails until the case has been resolved. er Mountain Wild Forest, between Newcomb and Minerva,

7 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Conservation & Advocacy Report

Steve Signell, a forest ecologist, measuring stumps of trees cut down on one new class II community connector snowmobile trail.

we won injunctions for most of July and August and from the Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the Essex Chain stopped tree cutting for the season in September. These Lakes area that was approved in 2015 by state agencies to temporary injunctions were successful in keeping over authorize a new bridge to be built over the Cedar River and 8,000 trees standing in the Forest Preserve. PROTECT’s retention of the Polaris Bridge over the . Both field work has documented the scope of potential damage will be used as part of a new class II community connector to the Forest Preserve. So far the state has completed or snowmobile trail that connects the hamlets of Indian Lake cut out over 20 miles of these road-like trails. Another 16 and Minerva. miles or more have also been approved. Our field work found that if the state builds over 36 miles of trails ap- The locations of both bridges are designated as “Scenic proved to date this will result in cutting down over 31,000 River” corridors under the NYS Wild, Scenic and Rec- trees and clearing over 50 acres of Forest Preserve lands. reational Rivers Act. Scenic rivers prohibit use of motor No other Forest Preserve recreational activity has resulted vehicles for public trails and limit trail widths, and by exten- in this level of land clearing unless it was approved through sion bridge widths, to just four feet. State regulations pro- a constitutional amendment, such as building Gore Moun- hibit motorized recreational uses in Scenic River corridors. tain and Ski Areas. These lands had been owned for nearly 150 years by the timber company Finch, Pruyn and Company. During these Protect the Adirondacks strongly believes that the stakes years, these lands were used for forest management and are high and that the future of Article XIV, Section 1, the hunting and fishing clubs through exclusive recreational forever wild provision of the state constitution, is on the leases. These activities relied upon extensive use of motor line. If state agencies can clear 50 acres, and that’s just a vehicles. The state is arguing that the historic motorized start, of Forest Preserve lands and cut down over 30,000 uses that occurred on these lands somehow exempt new trees to create a new recreational motor vehicle network, public motorized uses in Scenic River corridors from the then any number of new and destructive uses could be Rivers Act prohibitions. We disagree with this interpretation allowed. It’s vital that we continue to build our case and win of the law and filed this lawsuit to keep public motorized this lawsuit. recreation out of designated Scenic River corridors.

Defending Wild Rivers in the Central Adirondacks: As part of this lawsuit, we’re also challenging the deci- In another legal action, PROTECT has gone to court to sion by the state to retain the Chain Lakes Road South as defend wild rivers in the central Adirondacks. This stems public motor vehicle road. More than 1 mile of this road is

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 8 Conservation & Advocacy Report

A typical newly constructed class II community connector snowmobile trail.

within a designated “Wild River” corridor, where the road posed this decision by the Adirondack Park Agency and the borders a stretch of the Hudson River. The Rivers Act Cuomo Administration, but they were intent on finding ways states that a 1-mile corridor, .5 miles on each side, of clas- to expand motorized access in the Essex Chain Lakes sified Wild Rivers are to be managed as Wilderness. Motor area, even if it meant changing the rules to do it. vehicle uses are allowed on private lands within Wild River corridors for certain activities, such as forest management. Defending Wildlife: Last spring, PROTECT worked to Motor vehicle uses are specifically prohibited in Wild River oppose legislation to allow snares to be used in New York corridors on public lands. to trap coyotes and other canids. These snares are called “live cable restraints” and involve use of steel cable noose PROTECT is being represented in this lawsuit by Earthjus- to capture coyotes, which are then constrained. As the tice and is joined by Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest animal tries to free itself, the noose gets tighter. While trap- Preserve. Oral arguments have been made in this case pers that use snares would be required to check traps ev- and we’re currently awaiting a decision, which is likely to ery 24 hours, many would go unchecked for days. In states be issued in 2017. This decision will determine how rivers where this snares are allowed, animals are found dead or across the Adirondack Park and New York are managed with severe damage to paws, necks, and mouths. Animals under the Wild, Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act. that are unintended targets also suffer injuries during cap- tivity. The State Senate passed this bill in routine fashion State Acts to Weaken Forest Preserve Protections: last spring, but the State Assembly opposed it and let it die For this first time in the 45-year history of the Adirondack in committee. We expect this legislation to be reintroduced Park Agency (APA), it acted to weaken, not strengthen, the in 2017 and we will work to defeat it. Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, the rulebook that sets management policy for the Forest Preserve. Though Defending against ATV Abuse in the Southern Adiron- public comments were overwhelmingly in opposition to dacks: Protect the Adirondacks challenged a local law, these changes, the APA voted to amend the Master Plan in partnership with local residents, passed by the Town of to allow motorized uses for state management and public Ohio in the southwest Adirondacks to open a series of town bicycle use in Forest Preserve areas classified as Primitive, roads to All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). These types of laws which are supposed to be managed the same as Wilder- are often passed in Adirondack and North Country towns ness. This marked a major step backwards for manage- and violate state law. Once this lawsuit was filed, the Town ment of the Forest Preserve. PROTECT vigorously op- of Ohio rescinded its law.

9 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Conservation & Advocacy Report

The Polaris Bridge on the Hudson River.

Successful Legislative Action in 2016: Adirondack is- ture, most likely in 2017. The amendment would then need sues figured prominently at the close of the state Legisla- to be approved by the voters in a general election refer- tive session in the spring of 2016. Protect the Adirondacks endum, again most likely in November 2017. If passed, worked on three issues involving Article XIV constitutional the amendment will likely require legislative approval of an amendments, appointments to the APA Board, and new administrative plan in 2018 or thereafter. The health and legislation to require conservation design standards for safety land account of 250 acres will need to be replaced large subdivisions in the Adirondacks. Our efforts helped to by purchase of new Forest Preserve lands. improve these measures and advance protections for the Adirondack Park. There were two major issues that drove this new amend- ment. The first was the need to resolve legal issues for In June, the State Legislature passed a new draft constitu- state and local highways that traverse the Forest Preserve tional amendment for Article XIV, Section 1, that authorizes in order to locate utilities on roadsides, such as broadband. three actions. First, the amendment would allow location There have been some instances where highway corridors of utilities and bike trails within state highway corridors that were inaccessible for new utility uses. The second major are bordered by Forest Preserve. Second, the amendment issue was the need to improve how local governments would do the same for town and county highway corridors. maintain local highways. In 1957, a constitutional amend- Third, the amendment would create a 250-acre “health ment was passed to provided a 400 acre “land bank” for and safety land account” accessible to local communities the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) to utilize for in the Adirondack and Catskill parks for maintenance of management and maintenance of state highways in the local roads and utilities where lands outside the highway Adirondacks. To date, the DOT has used about 250 acres corridor need to be removed from the Forest Preserve. for various highway maintenance operations where they This amendment is important for expansion of broadband needed to go outside the legal highway corridor into the service in the Adirondacks. The “health and safety land ac- Forest Preserve. The new amendment creates a similar count” could also be used for the location and construction program for local roads. This is for legally recognized lo- of wells to support municipal water supplies. cal roads and not for things like the Crane Pond Road or the West River Road that illegally extend into Wilderness Legislative approval of this draft amendment constituted areas. PROTECT believes that this amendment meets the “1st passage” of a new constitutional amendment. “2nd critical needs of local communities throughout the Adiron- passage” would take place in the next successive Legisla- dacks and Catskills, while protecting the Forest Preserve.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 10 Conservation & Advocacy Report Picture by John Davis John by Picture

Township 40 Amendment Set to be Completed: The APA Board members represent state agencies, five must State Legislature approved legislation in the spring of 2016 be residents of the Adirondack Park, and three are resi- to begin implementation of the Township 40 agreement dents of counties outside the Adirondack Park. authorized through a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2013. This amendment authorized resolution The three appointments include two from outside the of longstanding conflict of ownership of over 100 proper- Adirondack Park, including Dr. Chad Dawson, a retired pro- ties around . These lands had existed under fessor from SUNY-ESF, who resides in Onondaga County, clouded title for decades, with both the state and private and John Ernst from New York County, who also owns landowners claiming title. Over the years, 10 different law- the Elk Lodge and Elk Lake Reserve in North Hudson. suits failed to resolve all issues, though they did clear title Both have a long track record in Adirondack conservation for some state lands and some private lands. matters. One in-Park seat was filled with Barbara Rice of Saranac Lake (Franklin County), owner of Rice’s Furniture Under the terms of this legislation, all participating land- and active in Village of Saranac Lake and Franklin County owners must assent to a process administered by the NYS government. Outspoken environmental leader Richard Attorney General and pay a settlement fee. These funds Booth resigned his seat on the APA Board in June. will establish a fund at the Town of Long Lake that will be used to help purchase new Forest Preserve lands. This Reforming the APA Act to Require Conservation De- process is expected to be completed in 2017. The state sign Standards for Large Subdivisions: In June, Steve has also committed to purchasing the 200-acre Marion Englebright, chairman of the Assembly Conservation River Carry tract that connects the Marion River to Utowa- Committee, introduced legislation to amend and update na Lake and the Eckford Chain. the Adirondack Park Agency Act to require Conservation Design standards for large subdivisions subject to APA Three New APA Board Members Seated: In June, Gov- review. This amendment would require a new system to ernor Cuomo appointed Sherman Craig, from Cranberry evaluate, plan, and approve large subdivisions starting with Lake, as the new Chair of the Adirondack Park Agency a comprehensive ecological inventory. The ecological study (APA) Board. Lani Ulrich of Old Forge stepped down after would ensure that all important natural resources and wild- more than 10 years of service. Three new appointments life habitat are identified. Building lots, roads, power lines, to the APA Board were also made by Governor Andrew among other structures, would need to be designed in a Cuomo to the APA Board in June. Under state law, three way that protects these important natural features. Building

11 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Conservation & Advocacy Report

Forest Preserve Forest Preserve Forest Preserve Forest Preserve Common open space lot for landowners in subdivision

Private Lands Private Lands Private Lands Private Lands

Common shoreline lot for landowners in subdivision

Standard Subdivision Design Conservation Design Subdivision Illustration by Nancy Bernstein Nancy by Illustration

Pictures on the left (clockwise) show a coyote caught on a the Township 40 Amendment. Above a before and after map trail camera in the Champlain Valley, utility lines on a state of a subdivision utilizing conservation design. Note how highway bordering Forest Preserve, APA Headquarters, the conservation design minimizes roads, clusters house lots, and Raquette Lake Fire House, a parcel provided clear title under creates common lots for lake access and open space. lots would be clustered and new infrastructure would avoid and aluminum. Results from analysis of these parameters critical environmental areas. Conservation Design is widely inform volunteers and lake associations about short- and used across New York and the U.S. This would mark the long-term water quality trends. 2017 marks the 20th year most substantial change to the APA Act since 1973. of the ALAP. There are openings in 2017 to enroll your lake or pond. For more information about how to enroll a lake or Expanding the Largest Water Quality Monitoring pond go to PROTECT’s website at www.protectadks.org. Program in the Adirondack Park: Protect the Adiron- dacks has long recognized the threats to water quality Looking Ahead to 2017: We’re looking ahead to a full throughout the Adirondack Park, largely a consequence of agenda in 2017. We’ll face major decisions on the classifi- intensive shoreline development and stormwater pollution cation of Forest Preserve lands, a full house of legislative from roads. 2016 saw completion of the 19th year of the action where our top priority is amending the APA Act to Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP), a “citizen require Conservation Design standards for large subdivi- science” water quality monitoring project jointly managed in sions, and we’ll work hard to sustain and complete legal a partnership between PROTECT and the Adirondack Wa- challenges. We’re also monitoring new Forest Preserve tershed Institute (AWI) at Paul Smith’s College. PROTECT and Adirondack Park planning efforts, such as the Great manages the water sampling by dozens of volunteers. South Woods project and the hut-to-hut hiking and lodging AWI developed the scientific protocol used by volunteers, plan, as well as major development projects. analyzes the samples and compiles the reports, which are posted on the PROTECT website. Most of the lakes and Protect the Adirondacks is deeply grateful for the stalwart ponds that are monitored are done so through a lake as- support of our members. We could not advocate for a sociation or community group. wild Adirondack Park without your support. The work of protecting and defending the great forests and waters of Established in 1998, ALAP has grown to one of the larg- the Adirondack Park and the forever wild Forest Preserve est water quality monitoring program in the Adirondack is continuous day after week after month after year. The Park. Under ALAP, over 70 lakes and ponds were studied grassroots advocacy voice of Protect the Adirondacks is in 2016. ALAP tests for a variety of leading water qual- vital to the major decisions facing the Adirondack Park. We ity parameters including pH, alkalinity, calcium, calcite working to get as many people involved as we can and saturation index, total phosphorus, cholorophyll-a, Sec- bring the voices of thousands to the debate over the future chi disk transparency, nitrate, chloride, conductivity, color, and work of protecting the Adirondack Park.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 12 Conservation & Advocacy Report

Lakes and Ponds Enrolled in the Adirondack Lakes Assessment Program in 2016

Adirondack Lake Eli Pond Loon Lake (Franklin Cty) Stoney Creek Ponds Amber Lake Fern Lake Loon Lake (Warren Cty) Sylvia Lake Arbutus Pond Frank Pond Lower Saranac Lake Thirteenth Lake Augur Lake Lake Lower St. Regis Lake Tripp Lake Austin Pond Gull Pond Middle Saranac Lake Trout Lake Balfour Lake Hewitt Pond Mink Pond Tupper Lake Big Moose Lake Hoel Pond Moss Lake Twitchell Lake Lake Indian Lake (Franklin Cty) Mountain View Lake Upper Cascade Lake Brandreth Lake Indian Lake (Hamilton Cty) Osgood Pond Upper St. Regis Lake Butternut Pond Jordan Lake Otter Pond White Lake Canada Lake Kiwassa Lake Oven Mountain Pond Wolf Lake Caroga Lake (East) Lake Abanakee Paradox Lake Caroga Lake (West) Lake Clear Pine Lake (The reports for all ALAP Catlin Lake Lake Colby Pleasant Lake lakes are available online Chapel Pond Lake Durant Raquette Lake on PROTECT’s website Chase Lake Lake Eaton Rich Lake www.protectadks.org.) Chateaugay Lake (Lower) Lake Flower Rondaxe Lake Chateaugay Lake (Upper) Lake of the Pines Schroon Lake Chazy Lake Lake Titus Sherman Lake Cranberry Lake Lens Lake Silver Lake Deer Lake Little Long Lake Simon Pond Dug Mountain Pond Long Lake Spitfire Lake Eagle Lake Long Pond Star Lake

13 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Events & Updates

Save the Date: July 15, 2017 for the Annual Meeting for Protect the Adirondacks

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 15, 2017 for the Protect the Adirondacks Annual Meeting. More details and the meeting location will be forthcoming. The annual meeting is where members meet the Board of Directors, vote for new directors, and get an updates on PROTECT’s financials and programs. The highlight is the conserva- tion and advocacy report as well as a hike or paddle. It’s a fun day, so mark your calendars and set an alarm on your smartphone.

PROTECT welcomes Marilyn DuBois and Roger Gray to the Board of Directors

Protect the Adirondacks is very pleased to welcome Marilyn DuBois and Rog- er Gray as new members of our Board of Directors. Marilyn Murphy DuBois lives in Glenville. Marilyn has been a long-time advocate for protection of the environment, promoting energy conservation and renewable resources, public health protection and historic preservation. She has devoted much of her 55 year career to these causes, including positions as the Executive Director and Lobbyist for the Environmental Planning Lobby (now Environmental Advo- cate), Conservation Director of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, Deputy Di- rector of the NYS Assembly Legislative Commission on Science and Technol- ogy, Chief of the DEC Pesticide Management Bureau, and the NYS Assembly Commissions on Solid Waste Management and Toxic Substances/ Hazardous Wastes. She retired at the end of 2014, but not from environmental activism. She and her family have hiked, skied, camped, sailed, kayaked and vacationed in the Adirondacks for most of their lives.

Roger Gray lives Albany, but has been a regular at Silver Lake where his family owns a camp. Roger recently retired from a career working for the NYS Commission for the Blind. He also worked for a variety of other human service state agencies. He has been a longtime activist with the Sierra Club, coordinating its Adirondack Committee for a number of years. He has worked as a licensed Ski Instructor at Gore Mountain and has wondered far and wide through the wild places in the Adirondacks.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 14 Acknowledgment of Donors 2015-2016

2015-2016 Donors James and Caroline Dawson Margaret Baldwin Robin and Terry de Armas Robert and Elizabeth Ball $5,000 and more Robert and Trinidad Gilmore Denise Erickson and James Bark Neil and Jane Golub Joan Barker Currie Barron Ed Harstead Robby Barnett Caffry and Flower Law Office Hans Himelein and Janice Kyle John Barr Chuck Clusen and Gail Curran David Hoffman Nicholas Barr Marilyn DuBois Gordon Howard Robert Barrett F.M. Kirby Foundation Herb and Nancy Hudnut Jr. Kathyrn Barry Goldman Sachs & Co. Matching Gifts Raymond and Lola Johnson Lorraine Schulte Barry Dale Jeffers Diana Knox Herman Baruth James McMartin Long Sylvia Flescher and Thomas Marcyes Athan Baskous The Overhills Foundation Elizabeth McNulty Harold Bauer David and Deborah Quinn Merle Melvin Valerie Bayley The Prospect Hill Foundation Adelia Moore Dick Beamish The Walbridge Fund Charlie Morrison Glenn Busby and Margot Bean Barry Oreck and Jessica Niccoll Nancy Beekman $1,000 - $4,999 Richard and Rebecca Evans Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Beinecke Larry and Wendy Rockefeller David Belden Adirondack Foundation Brian and Ginny Ruder Lisa and Peter Bellamy Jeff and Sherri Bergsten James and Jeanne Ryan Gordon and Martha Bergsten Nancy Bernstein Frances Shapiro William Berner John Brothers Sidney S. Whelan Harold and Ruth Bernstein Judy and Frederick Buechner Joseph Bertino John and Ellen Collins $1 - $499 Fred and Ann Marie Bialas Jack and Susie Delehanty Dean Bianco Richard and Leanna DeNeale John Abbuhl Peter and Chrysanthi Bien Lorraine Duvall and Bruce Berra Paul Abess Robert Biesemeyer Barbara Glaser Ernest and Kathleen Abrahamson Big Moose Property Owners Association Robert and Michalene Glennon Kurt Abrahamson Aaron and Anne Bigalow Roger and Monica Gray Neal and Linda Adams Florance Bigelow Evelyn and Donald Greene Adirondack Forty-Sixers Sarah Bilofsky Sid and Michelle Harring Nancy Agen Carolyn Bishop Bob and Leslie Harrison Leif Ahrens Walter Theodore Blank Peter and Ann Hornbeck Lisa and Nik Aktas Jim Blaydon Tom and Dierdre Hudnut Joseph Albarelli Stephen and Mary Blocklin Anne and Robert Jeffrey Frank and Jane Alessandrini Kathie Bogert Eric Johanson Jane Alpert and Foster DeJesus John and JoAnn Bojanek Mark and Holly Lawton Nan Boardman and Steve Amstutz Leon Borden and Catherine Porter-Broden Thomas McGowan, IV Colin Anderson Peter and Jane Borrelli Mark and Karen Perreault Leonard and Helen Andrew Thomas and Alana Both Edward Petty Woody and Cynthia Andrews Bruce and Patricia Bothwell Harold and Carol Shippey Burt Angrist Reginald and Lucille Bowden Kenneth and Joanne Strike Anonymous Elinor and Patrick Brady Teresa and Mark Bickelhaupt Joseph and Ann Armstrong Paul and Grace Brady Philip Terrie Mary Ashmead Bob Brand Phyllis Thompson Paul and Hetty Auburn Harvey Breakstone Elizabeth and Edward Thorndike Carol and Paul Auer Eric Bright Michael Wilson and Beverly Bridger Richard and Elaine Avidon Jo Anne and Alan Broadbent Karen Azer Melinda Broman $500 - $999 James Bailey Nancy Brooks John and Ro Bailo Elaine Brophy Peter Bauer and Cathleen Collins Paul and Anne Bakeman John and Eveline Brower Michael Caffrey Judith Baker Kellum Smith and Angela Brown Sarah Collins Stephen Baker Kirk and Constance Brown

15 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Susan Moody and Alan Brown Timothy and Robin Costas Christina Erickson Bob and Nancy Buckley Carole Couch Michael and Joanne Esposito Alice Tepper Robert and Mary Courtemanche Steven and Ilayne Etkind Ladislav Burda Jay and Page Cowles Marti Evanoff John Burfeind Richard Crammond Stanford Pulrang and Kathyrn Evans Peter and Gretchen Burk Ronald and Sheila Cuccaro Thomas Evans Robert Burt Darlene Cullen Everett and Lois Brownell Joseph Butera Richard and Monique Cunningham David and Catherine Fant Jeanne Butler Rick and Diane Cunningham J.P. and Mary Beth Fasano Susan Butler Lawrence D’Arco Jay and Dorothy Federman Dean and Janice Butts James Dannenberg John Fenaroli Rick and Ellen Butz Robert Davis Robert Finnegan Gerald and Elizabeth Byrne George and Anita Davis Mary and Larry Fisher Helen and Chuck Cairns John Robert Davis and Denise Wilson-Davis Harvey and Mary Flad Dick Camarra John Davis John Flagg Patti Gillespie and Kenneth Cameron Chad Dawson Tom Flatley Charles and Margaret Cammack Anthony Dean Tessa Sage Flores Michael Trister and Nancy Campbell Joy and Frank Death Perry Smith and Roseanne Fogarty Kevin and Silvia Camson Robert and Marion Dedrick Laurence Fogelson Fred and Phyllis Canova Rudy Dehn Miroslaw and Lucy Foltyniak Marci and Rick Caplan William and Sara Jane DeHoff Connie and Wen Fong James Carl Charlcie A. Delehanty David and Alanna Fontanella Lorraine and Richard Carlson Andrew Dellipaoli Debra and David Foote Michael and Linda Casey Mary Denn Nancy and Drew Forhan Brian Castler and Katherine Duffendack Walt Dergosits and Marisa Muratori Thomas and Susan Forrest George R. Cataldo John DeWeese James Fosshage Daniel Catlin John Dey Esty and Barbara Foster Dick and Barbara Catlin James Diermeier Jill Fox Anne Catron Dominic and Mary DiFalco Alex Frank and Stacey Mandelbaum Denis and Judith Caysinger James Dimeglio Rella Frantzis Denis and Brita Chagnon Noel and Wes Dingman Paul and Emily Frederick Anya Bickford and Doug Chamberlain Mike DiNunzio Steve and Cynthia Fronterhouse Mark Chamberlain Kathryn Donaldson Robert and Rosalie Fuss Carol and Bill Charping Faith Donovan and David West Dick and Susan Gaffney Richard Chase Kevin Donovan Douglas Gallagher Charles Chiara Bernice and Ed Douglas William Gambert David W. Childs, Jr. Mary Lou Doulin Kenneth and Vivian Gans Ronald and Holly Chorba George Doyle William Garretson David Matthew Christie John and Christina Doyle John and Janet Garrett Georgeina Christie Robert Drennon Bradley, Eliot, and Adeline Gay Cindy Olsen and Michele Bakkila Earl and Anne Dressel William and Dorothy Gay Ann Marie Cipollo John Dropp Carl George Lizbeth Clark Craig DuBois Ellen Egan George William and Nan Clarkson Glenn DuBois Ellie and Cal George Ralphael Colb and Katherine Fair Cathleen Duffy Phyllis and Hap Georges Alan Cole and Louise Trevillyan Jon-Luc Dupuy Joanne Gianniny James DuMond and Lisa Cole Anthony Lee Dutton Steven and Susan Gifis Patricia Collins Carolyn and Anatol Eberhard Craig and Alice Gilborn Donald and Donna Colosimo Daniel Egan Robert and Claire Gilmore William Coman Stephen Ehlers Ernest and Lynne Giraud Andy Coney Styra Eisinger Diane and Richard Gleave Joe and Rita Coney Eileen Eldred Fred and Gloria Gleave Susan Connard Keith and Bonnie Ellis Kenneth Gnade Gary Conrick Janet and Marshall Emas Mary Ann and John Goddard Dean and Terrina Cook Craig and Jill Emblidge James Goetz Francis Coppa Michael Emelianoff Cobb Goff Janice Corr Robert Engel and Judy Watson James Goff

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 16 Acknowledgment of Donors 2015-2016

Christopher Gonzales Norma Hudson Charles Komanoff and Judy Levine Harry Good David Hughes Daniel Koretz Maxine Gorelick Catherine and John Huther Martin and Phyllis Korn Peter and Carol Goss John and Karen Huttlinger John Kosticky John and Lina Grandin Winifred Hyson Christopher Berzinski and Susan Kozel Scott Gray Joanne Infantino Doris Kramm Doug and Pattie Gray Bill Ingersoll Ellen Kreitler Jessica and Jim Gray Joan Ipsen Richard and Patricia Krogmann Elizabeth Greene Jay and Valerie Ireland Bruce Krug Nancy Greene Howard and Mary Jack Norman and Christine Kuchar Denise Griffin Virginia and Paul Jackson Ruth Kuhfahl Lisa Jeanne Griffith Elizabeth Jacobsen Lars Kulleseid John Grillo James and Jocelyn Jerry Wolcott Elizabeth and Paige L’Hommedieu James and Sarah Grossman Danielle Jerry and Bob Platte George Labalme, Jr. Dolores and Joseph Grupp Steven Jervis Ken Laboski Robert Guarnera Ron Harvey and Deborah Jindela Jim Bernard and Susan Lacy Rick Guior and Barbara Frank John Johanson Scott Van Laer Andy and Judy Hadjandreas Jane Johngren John Lafferty Bob and Charlotte Hall Conrad Johnson John LaGraff Christian and Helen Haller Douglas Johnson Joseph and Mary Lahut George and Marcia Halloran George and Ayah Johnson Patricia and David Lambert Lois Johnson Hamerman Mark and Mary Johnson Judith Landes Ewa and Leon Hammer Mary Jane Vanmeter Johnson Douglas and Arlene Langdon Elizabeth Hanke Patricia Johnson Nancy Langham Pam Hanke William Johnson Rose Lansbury David Hanning James D Jordan Ronald Larsen Margaret McKelvey and William Harkins Robert Judson Lori and Brett Larson Jeb Hart Eugene and Carolyn Kaczka Victoria Wirth and Daniel Larson Walter Hartmann Heather Hollister Kaese Fuat Latif Katherine Armstrong and Chet Harvey Charles Kahrs Chip and Gayle Lawrence Dick and Joy Harvey Emilie and Bernard Kane Gregory Lawrence Joan and Alan Hasselwander Michael Kane and Kay Scharoun Anne Lazarus Jacqueline Haught Marion Karl John and Alice Leddy Gary Baker and Deborah Havas Richard Kazis and Jill Medvedow William Lee Philip Hawkes-Teeter Marilyn Kearney Phillip and Charlotte Lefton Walt and Jean Hayes Mark Levy and Celine Keating Donald and Audrey Lehn Henry Healey Roy Keats Douglas and Carol Leith John Heimerdinger Timothy Kelley Meredith Leonard Craig Heindel and Judy Chaves Eileen Kelly Judith and Edwin Deane Leonard Mary Lynne Heldmann Jean Keskulla Jeffrey and Amy Levinn Marc Heller Tim Keyes Jeffrey Levitt Nancy Henk Jane King Robert and Jane Lewit Rick and Ann Herrick Josephine King Peter Leyh Jan Hesbon Margaret and Henry Kinosian Ann Lichter Tom and Margaret Hickey Donna Kirby Frederick Lieber Sandra Hildreth Elizabeth Kirchner John Lieff Michael Hodgman Howard Kirschenbaum Otto Liepin Edward Hoe Harold Klein Daniel Ling John and Susan Hoekstra Pete Klosterman Richard Linn and Susan Benz Daniel Hoffman Nancy Knaggs Carol and George Little James and Eileen Hoffman Andrew Knox John Livezey Donald Holcomb Nelle Knox Lynn and Robert Livingston Neil Holtzman William Koebbeman Joseph Logan Richard Hooker Bart and Julie Koehler Joan Long Glenn Howard Charles Koehler Richard Loomis and Nancy Ellen Long

17 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 George Lordi Sandy Mercaldi David Ellison and Carolyn Olsen Robert Losser Arthur and Anita Merims John and Susan Omohundro Alexandra Love Brian Meyers Mary Ann Ondrako Lyn DuMoulin Roy and Deborah Meyers Gerald Ortiz Lynn Marsh Robert Miller and Carol Hamblin Patrick and Gloria Orton Peggy Lynn Dr. Nelson and Joann Miller Keri O’Shea Richard and Lisa Lyons Edward and Noel Miller Don Ostrom Eileen Egan Mack Howard and Karen Miller Patricia Packer Ted Mack Paul Miller and Karen Perez Susan Packhurst Rich Maggiani Elliot Mitchel Nancy Page Anthony Scott Magrino Michael Moccio Peter Paine Tim Engel and Ivy Main Joane Molenock and Dan Karig Susan Angell and Timothy Palmer Raymond and Patricia Mainer Frank and Judy Molitor Ted and Nancy Palmer John and Jackie Mallery Paul and Sara Monroe April Pampalone Paul and Helen Mallon Willem and Margreet Monster David Pandori Gerald and Madeline Malovany Gerald Monto John Pangman Elizabeth Mangle and Mary Beth Thomas Ann Moore Katherine Park Jean Mangun Jeffrey Morgan Frederick and Virginia Parker Lawrence Manion Robert Morganstein Kathleen Parrish Martin and Elnora Manjak Don Morreall Mike Parwana Jeremy Manning Andrew Morris and Mary Moore Wallinger Garry Pascale Robert and Tomoko Manning Brother Roman Morris Vincent Passarelli Mark Manske Judith Morris Bernard and Marie Patten John Manzi Carol and Richard Morrison Dr. J. Douglas Patterson Charles Mara and Jill MacDonald Patricia Morrison Hillevi and Sven Paul Joan and William Marden Rusty and Linda Mosher Brad and Jocelen Pearson Michael and Mary Louise Marien Samuel and Joyce Moulthrop Kenneth Phelps Steven Markel Daniel and Theresa Muccia Mark Phillips Steven Markowitz Tom Mullen Henry and Patricia Pildner J. Langdon Marsh John and Janet Mulvey Frank Pine Bob and Linda Marshall Susan Murante Robert and Sonja Poe David and Sandra Martin Frederick Murphy Alberta Poland Barbara Mason Michael and Marianne Murphy William Pollak Ralph Mason Robert Murphy and Cynthia Rye Ann Poole Thomas Massoth Adirondack Museum Library Edward Post Lawrence Master Peter Mutolo Michael and Gail Potter William and Margaret Mather Anne Vaccaro and David Myers Lorraine Ruffing and Beverly Pozzi Jonathan and Diana Matlack Martin Myers Justin Prairie Frederic and Virginia Mauhs Bernhardt Nadell Seymour Preston Hester and Andrew McCarthy George and Margo Nagle Sally Price Virginia McCarthy Debra Naumovitz Helga Prichard Bill and Theresa McCutcheon G.G. Neffinger William and Barbara Pulsifer John and Margaret Ann McGlade Jerome Nelken Rosemarie and Frank Pusaterie Thomas and Elzabeth McGrath Rick and Jill Nelson Ronald and Linda Pushee Sarah and James McGregor Tom and Roseanne Neuhard Jeffrey Putnam Melinda McIlwaine Christopher Neuzil Linda Putnam Robert and Bliss McIntosh Harry Newton Tarrant and Mary Ann Putnam Richard and Carol McKeever David Nimmons John and Constance Quenell Matthew McKenna Yves and Elaine Nollet Catherine Quinn Donald McLaughlin Basil and Johanna Northam Corey and Doug Ralston Barton and Priscilla McLean Toni Norton Everett Ramos Mr. McNamara John Nuzum Joel Ray Charles and Mary McQuade Rose Marie O’Leary Curtis Read William McTygue Peter O’Shea Jim Reagan Bernard Melewski Peter Oberdorf John and Barbara Rees Karen Meltzer Sue and Gordon Oehser Edward Reese Bernice Mennis Kevin Oldham Elizabeth Reid

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 18 Acknowledgment of Donors 2015-2016

Karen A Reid Ann and Jim Sidford Muriel and Enos Throop Arthur Reidel Donald Sietsma Maury and Nancy Tigner Kathleen Reilly Lenton and Barbara Simms Samuel and Mimi Tilton James Reinhard Howard and Martha Simonin Derrick Tingley Paul and Rosemary Reiss Alexander and Mary Ann Simpson Will and Caper Tissot Carol Renna Jean Singer Dave Tobias James and Carol Richer Theresa and Robert Singley Jon Tobiessen Wayne Richter Gary Dreiblatt and Nancy Sinkoff Phyllis Tortora John Riebesell Richard Sise Jon and Luann Toussaint Mark and Bettyan Rinefierd John Skorpen Donna and Edward Trautwein-Welch John and Margaret Ringer David and Elise Smith Stephen and Marna Tulin Robert and Helen Ringlee David and Janet Smith Paul Turner and Christine Dickerson Minney and Ted Robb Judson Smith Howard Tuthill II and Wendy Tuthill Kenneth and Jane Robbins Richard Smith Emily Tyner Kathleen Roberts Bill and Cathy Smith Bill and Mary Ughetta Nicholas A. Robinson Barry Soicher Thomas Ullmann Peter Rohr George Spak Ellen Koch and George Utley Gene and Loretta Romano James and Laurie Speer Leonard Vallender Lewis and Sheila Rosenberg Armond and Ann Spencer Barbara Van Buren William Rosenfeld Pete and Heidi Spencer Charles and Patricia Van Kirk Ruth Rosenstein Robert and Karen Spencer Frederick and Constance Vanacore Holly and Jerry Ross Elaine Sperbeck Annalisa and Peter VanAvery Karen and Jeffrey Ross John and Margaret Sperling Elizabeth Van De Water George and Ingrid Rothbart Donald Spieler Hubert Velepec Richard Jarvis and Barbara Rottier Ronald Spitzer Carol Vericker Mark Rubin Stephen and Harmony Spongberg Geoffrey Porter and Carla Viands John and Joan Ruef Stephen and Barbara Spring Bonnie and Larry Vicki John Rugge Ed and Heather Stafford Joyce Villa Edwin Russell Michael and Jacqueline Stampalia Nancy and Wayne Virkler Larry and Nancy Russell Martha Stavish Jon and Brenda Voorhees Maureen Ryan Hank Stebbins Steve and Peggy Wadecki Jack and Mary Ellen Ryder Peter Sterling and Andrea Proulx Stewart Wagner Ted and Sandy Ryder Donald and Margo Stever Gregory Wait Christine and Richard Salmon Gustav Stewart Bruce Wallace Steve Samuell Shane Stewart Marie Walls Jacqueline Sandler Sue Stewart Robert Warner Edward Sartore Diane Miltz and Shirley Stickler Thomas Warner Leo Sawyer Susan Stoddart Norman Webber Seymour and Geraldine Scher Elizabeth Stott Andrew and Debra Weiner Jim Scherer Jamie and Ben Strader Linda DeStefano and Richard Weiskopf Vincenza and Thom Schiera Hanns Streuli Vera Weiss Jean Schlofmitz-Testa Steve and Sohny Strong Tad Welch Daniel Schneider Twitty Styles June Wellman Ann Schoeffler Kristine Suits Nathaniel and Lois Wells Nancy and Charles Scholes Heather Sullivan-Catlin Katherine West and Alan McKnight Katherine Schoonover John Sullivan Barbara Wetzel Kerry and Barb Schrader Pete Suttmeier Helen Whitaker Jeffrey Corbin and Janette Schue Robert Swift Charles Elkins and Betsy White Richard Scofield Zebulon and Mavis Taintor John Whiteman Eric and Erika Scott Naomi Tannen and Joe Mahay Patrick Whitton Kristin and Danny Scott Paul and Elizabeth Taylor John Widdemer Carolyn Serota and Richard Feldman Richard and Patricia Terry Hynrich W. Wieschhoff Jeffrey and Liliane Sherman Barbara Thomas Melissa Wilde and Stephen Viscelli Frank Shirley Philip Thomas Lawrence Wilke Linda Shuster and Bill Wonderlin David Thompson Ernest Williams Robert Shwajlyk Kip Thompson Janet Williams

19 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 Jack and Norma Williams In honor of Tom Coppola Fern Lake Association Robert and Shelley Williams Friends of Long Pond Association Robert and Katherine Williams Sarah Bilofsky Garnet Hill Property Owners Association Sarah Williams Garnet Lake Civic Association Patricia and Thomas Willis In honor of Peter O’Shea Green Mansions Swim and Tennis Club Marc Willoughby Gull Pond Property Owners Association Uta Wister Charles Chiara Hawkeye Conservation Association Tony and Ruth Witte Hoel Pond Assoc./Roseanne Neuhard Pauline Wohn In honor of Marc T. Pimentel Hornbeck Boats Elizabeth Wolf Indian Lake Association Tom Woodman Marc Philip Pimentel The Kildare Club David Wormuth Kiwassa Lake Association Bob and Blaikie Worth In honor of Phyllis Thompson Lake Abanakee Association Mary Louise Wren Lake Adirondack Association John Wukitsch Cynthia Fronterhous Lake Titus Protective Association Alan Wyckoff Lake Colby Association George Yabroudy Foundations Lake Durant/Anya Bickford Peter Littlefield and Elaine Yabroudy Lens Lake/Hank and Margaret Kinosian Donald Yanulavich Adirondack Foundation Little Long Lake Campers Association Zoe and E. Howard Youmans Boquet Foundation Long Lake Association Anthony Zazula George and Evelyn Brothers Charitable Trust Long Pond Association The Cedar Fund Loon Lake Homeowners Association Tributes The F.M. Kirby Foundation Lower Saranac Lake Association Richard and Rebecca Evans Foundation Middle Saranac Lake/David Ellison In memory of Jocelyn Jerry The Prospect Hill Foundation Moss Lake/Ken and Joanne Strike Mary & Christopher Rodgers Foundation Mountain View Association, Inc. Anthony Bango The Overhills Foundation North Country Camps Christopher Brassard The Walbridge Fund Osgood Pond Association Dominicj DeCecco Oven Mountain Pond/Laura Gouthreau Brian Edwards Businesses and Organizations Pine Lake/Robert Shwajlyk Paul Gioia Raquette Lake Property Owners Assn. Amy Goodman Adirondack Museum Revolutionary Trails Council BSA Denise Hopkins Caffry and Flower Law Office Rondaxe Lake Association Danielle Jerry Clorox Company/Employee Match Schroon Lake Association Judith Lee Earthshare New York Simon Pond/Phyllis Thompson Molly McCoy and Bruce Flegler General Electric/Employee Match Shore Owners Assoc. of Lake Kiwassa Brian Meyers Hewlett Packard/Employee Match Star Lake Association Jenna Pitera Hornbeck Boats The Northwoods Club Lisa Willis IBM Foundation/Employee Match The St. Regis Foundation Lucy Wong ISO/Employee Match Sylvia Lake Association United Health Group/Employee Match Town of Caroga In memory of Robert Morrison Town of Harrietstown Adirondack Lakes Assessment Program Trout Lake Association Patricia Morrison Tupper Lake/Phyllis Thompson Adirondack Ecological Center Twitchell Lake Fish and Game Club In memory of Donald Peter Hirshorn Adirondack White Lake Association White Lake Association Austin Pond/Eveylyn Greene Marilyn DuBois Baldface Mountain Preserve Protect the Adirondacks makes every Craig DuBois Big Moose Property Owners Association effort to assure the accuracy of this Glenn DuBois Blue Mountain Center list of generous donors. This list is for Blue Mountain Lake WaterWatch donors from July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016. In honor of Evelyn Greene Brandreth Park If you see an error on this list please Brantingham Lake Community Assoc. bring it to our attention. Thank you Marc Heller Canada Lake/James Long very much for your support. Coreys Residents Association In honor of James McMartin Long Cranberry Lake Boat Club, Inc. East Shore Schroon Lake Association Pauline Reid Eli Pond/John Duryea

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 20 2015-2016 Financial Summary

Assets 2015-16 2014-15 Expenses 2015-16 2014-15 Cash $16,321 $22,085 Salaries $112,538 $114,430 Grants Receivable 13,750 15,000 Payroll Expenses & Benefits 24,905 21,812 Property (Research Library/Office) 450,965 456,814 Contracted Services 2,773 4,370 Cash (Designated) 96,460 96,201 Insurance 5,387 5,598 Cash (Temporarily Restricted) 67,346 46,705 Occupancy Costs 6,900 6,900 Investments - Unrestricted 18,754 19,671 Telephone 1,187 1,222 Investments - Restricted 3,559 3,726 Supplies 1,746 3,845 Total Assets $667,155 $660,202 Printing 21,626 14,767 Postage 11,996 7,090 Conferences & Events 5,208 9,917 Liabilities 2015-16 2014-15 Bank Charges 1,239 939 Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses $7,000 $5,871 Advertising 3,699 3,455 Long-Term Debt 0 0 Dues & Subscriptions 338 200 Total Liabilities $7,000 $5,871 Legal Defense 148,054 50,646 Professional Fees & Services 9,845 12,537 Revenues 2015-16 2014-15 Travel 6,172 3,249 Contributions & Grants $195,222 $183,872 Website & Technology Services 8,316 7,998 Dues & Fees 57,142 54,239 Investment Fees 505 474 Investment Income 368 81 Program Expense 21,774 26,590 Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments (294) 7 Miscellaneous 1,038 1,278 Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (615) 46 Amortization 5,849 5,850 Event Income 3,970 280 Total Expenses $401,095 $303,167 In-Kind Donations 129,055 49,522 Program Services 20,825 18,975 2015-16 Total Resource Allocation Miscellaneous 1,246 1,140 Total Income $406,919 $308,162 5.6% Administration 5.6% Fundraising 4.4% 4.4% Programs 90% Program, Administrative 2015-16 2014-15 & Fundraising Expenses Program Expenses (90%) $361,387 (90%) $272,092 90% Administrative Expenses (5.6%) $21,944 (6%) $18,432 Conservation and Advocacy Programs Fundraising Expenses (4.4%) $17,764 (4%) $12,643 Total Expenses $401,095 $303,167

Notes

Protect the Adirondacks’ fiscal year runs from July 1 - June 30th. PROTECT’s NYS CHAR 500 and Federal 990 filed with the NYS Attorney General’s Office. An independent audit was prepared by Cusack & Company in Latham, New York. The $450,965 listed under Assets “Property” is the contents of the Adirondack Research Library on permanent loan to the Kelly All information reported in this summary is also available in Adirondack Center of Union College in Niskayuna, New York.

21 Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 This must not be allowed to continue.

Help Defend Forever Wild The “trail” above is one stretch of over 36 miles sion of the state constitution, due to the immense that have been constructed, cleared, or planned amount of tree cutting, land clearing, and massive by state agencies that manage the “forever wild” changes to forestlands and terrain. There have Forest Preserve. The state is working to build a been few lawsuits over the years to uphold Con- network of these “class II community connector stitutional protections for the Forest Preserve, but snowmobile trails” across the Forest Preserve. this lawsuit is an important and necessary ac- These trails will see over 31,000 trees cut down, tion. This lawsuit is the only thing standing in the over 50 acres cleared of all trees, and many miles path of plans to build hundreds of miles of new graded flat with heavy machinery. The picture road-like “trails” through wild parts of the Forest above shows a typical stretch of this new trail Preserve. network. We need your help today to protect and defend The stakes are high. The future of the “forever forever wild from expanded motorized uses. It’s wild” Forest Preserve is on the line. Protect the vital that we make this stand now to protect the Adirondacks is challenging the legality of this Forest Preserve. Please use the envelope enclosed trail network. We believe that these trails violate or the form on the back cover to make a contribu- Article 14, Section 1, the forever wild provi- tion to help save the forever wild Forest Preserve.

Protect the Adirondacks • Annual Report • 2015-2016 22 Protect the Adirondacks PO Box 769 Lake George, NY 12845

Special appeal to protect Forever Wild: Please help now Please make a special contribution today to help defend our Protect the Adirondacks has gone to court to challenge the “forever wild” Forest Preserve from a massive expansion state’s plans, which we believe violate the State Constitution. of motorized recreational uses. State leaders and agencies This is a critical moment in Forest Preserve history and if are administering the greatest expansion of motorized use this expansion of motorized uses is not contained, the Forest in the Forest Preserve in its history as they work to build a Preserve will endure long-lasting natural resource damage. network of road-like snowmobile trails. Please help with a generous contribution today. Yes! I want to help protect Forever Wild

PO Box 769 Lake George, NY 12845 [email protected] protectadks.org Payment $5,000 $2,500 $1,500 $1,000 $500 Please make checks payable to: Protect the $250 $100 $75 Family $50 Individual Adirondacks! For credit card circle one: VISA MasterCard American Express Amount $ ______Name(s) Card #______Name ______Permanent Mailing Address Adirondack Park Mailing Address Exp Date______CVV2 code (VISA/MC 3-digit on back) City State Zip City State Zip or (AMEX 4-digit on front)______Please sign me up as a Monthly Sustainer. Email Address Phone number Smartphone number Charge $______on the 1st of each month to my credit card. Signature

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