DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announces the release of a new Lake Champlain watershed plan at Ausable Point Campground on Monday. Photo by Zachary Matson.
Department of Environmental Conservation
Basil Seggos spent part of his last day as DEC commissioner speaking with the Explorer about his Adirondacks legacy, forest rangers, park protections and plans for more High Peaks hikes in the future.
The state budget is 15 days late, though it could be coming soon. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a “conceptual agreement” on a $237 billion state budget late Monday. It indicates Hochul and legislative leaders in the Democratic majority have come to an agreement on most things and the state Legislature will likely vote on budget bills later this week.
Of note, Hochul’s proposed $250 million cut to Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding is reinstated to a full $500 million in this agreement. We’ll be keeping an eye out for when conceptual becomes concrete.
Funding for environmental and Adirondack Park initiatives may be part of our discussion a month from today at the Times Union in Albany. We’ll talk to the chairs and ranking members of the state Legislature’s environmental conservation committees. Sign up for our free event below.
The APA will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday. You can view the agenda and directions for participating here: https://apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2024/04/FullAgency/MonthlyAgendaApril2024.pdf. Items on the docket include approving herbicide use for treating invasive Eurasian watermilfoil on Horseshoe Pond in the town of Duane, approving an updated wetlands permit and approving amendments to the Lake George Beach and Battlefield Park Unit Management Plan.
Applicant David Eglin proposes to build a 23,520-square-foot agri-tourism pavilion to cover an existing arena used for equine and bovine events on Stevers Mills Road in the town of Broadalbin. Comments are due May 2. To review site plans and submit comments, go to https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/ApaCommentPopup.cfm?ProjectNumber=2024-0066
The village of Saranac Lake has determined that proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant evaluation and upgrades will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves collection system upgrades, phosphorus removal chemical feed system upgrades, aeration tank retrofit or replacement, primary effluent pump system upgrades and other facility improvements as funding allows. The project is located on Bloomingdale Road. There is no public comment period, but for more information contactBachana Tsiklauri, Village of Saranac Lake, 39 Main Street, Suite 9 Saranac Lake, NY 12983, or (518) 891-4150 or email villagemanager@saranaclakeny.gov
Photo at top: DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announces the release of a new Lake Champlain watershed plan at Ausable Point Campground. Photo by Zachary Matson.
This first appeared in Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter. Click here to sign up.
Parting DEC commissioner reflects on Adks
Department of Environmental Conservation
Basil Seggos spent part of his last day as DEC commissioner speaking with the Explorer about his Adirondacks legacy, forest rangers, park protections and plans for more High Peaks hikes in the future.
Read our interview here.
Legislature
Does New York have a budget?
No.
The state budget is 15 days late, though it could be coming soon. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a “conceptual agreement” on a $237 billion state budget late Monday. It indicates Hochul and legislative leaders in the Democratic majority have come to an agreement on most things and the state Legislature will likely vote on budget bills later this week.
Of note, Hochul’s proposed $250 million cut to Clean Water Infrastructure Act funding is reinstated to a full $500 million in this agreement. We’ll be keeping an eye out for when conceptual becomes concrete.
Funding for environmental and Adirondack Park initiatives may be part of our discussion a month from today at the Times Union in Albany. We’ll talk to the chairs and ranking members of the state Legislature’s environmental conservation committees. Sign up for our free event below.
RSVP here.
Adirondack Park Agency
The APA will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday. You can view the agenda and directions for participating here: https://apa.ny.gov/Mailing/
View all APA public comment and hearing opportunities at: https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/
Environmental Notice Bulletin
View all the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s weekly environmental notice bulletin projects.
Photo at top: DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announces the release of a new Lake Champlain watershed plan at Ausable Point Campground. Photo by Zachary Matson.
This first appeared in Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” newsletter. Click here to sign up.