Records show more about bear deaths

Bear update

Last month we received records I requested regarding the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision to euthanize three bears in Old Forge. The records included an incident report from the responding environmental conservation officer, which details how the bears were killed.

Based on our reporting, it seems like this tragic situation came from a combination of things—too many people crowding the bears, too many attractions for the bears, an already stressed mother trying to protect her cubs, and one environmental conservation officer serving a large area where such bear-human conflicts are more prevalent.

Read more here.

State budget

Are any road salt reduction projects funded in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget?

Not really.

State lawmakers held a budget hearing Thursday [Feb. 6] covering transportation items in the proposed $252 billion spending plan. During it they heard somewhat differing views on how the state Department of Transportation’s progress is going reducing road salt in the Adirondacks.

Read more here.

Adirondack Park Agency

The Adirondack Park Agency [met Thursday, Feb. 13]. The agency was scheduled to review reports on ProcellaCOR EC treatments of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil on Adirondack waterbodies, according to its preliminary agenda.

To learn more, go to https://apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2025/02/FullAgency/0225agenda.pdf.

Adirondack Park Agency public comment opportunities

Check for the full list of the APA public comment and hearing opportunities at: https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/index.cfm.

• The state Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking a wetlands permit to add rotenone piscicide to Echo Pond in the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest to remove native but widely introduced brown bullhead and restore native brook trout. Comments are due by Feb. 27. To learn more and submit comments, go to https://apa.ny.gov/Hearings/ApaCommentPopup.cfm?ProjectNumber=2025-0011.

DEC public comment opportunities

Check the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s weekly environmental notice bulletin for the latest projects.

• Not for public comment, but released for public notice, the town of Mayfield Planning Board, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed “Chris Longo’s Site Plan” for a multi-family dwelling will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. Longo is seeking to construct 36 dwelling units, 66 parking spaces and a covered garage on about 36 acres at 2364 State Highway 30. The property is in the Adirondack Park and zoned low-intensity use. The town is supporting a land classification change to hamlet, according to the project description. To learn more, go to https://dec.ny.gov/news/environmental-notice-bulletin/2025-02-05/seqr/town-of-mayfield-chris-longos-site-plan-for-a-multi-family-dwelling.
• The DEC is proposing to relocate the eastern terminus trailhead of the Jackrabbit Trail in the town of Keene to address concerns stemming from the public utilizing a private parking area. The proximity of the current trailhead to nearby privately-owned structures often lead to inappropriate and unwelcome public use of the private facilities. The new trail will enter the Sentinel Range Wilderness Area (SRWA) from private property at Nichols Brook, parallel Nichols Brook in the SRWA for about 0.3-miles, then cross Nichols Brook again on to the private property, and back to the existing Jackrabbit Trail. This action involves the cutting of 15 trees between one- and three-inches diameter at breast height (DBH), and two trees that are greater than three-inches DBH. These trees are being cut to allow the construction of a reroute of the Jackrabbit Trail. Comments are due by Feb. 19. To view the work plan and submit comments, go to https://dec.ny.gov/news/environmental-notice-bulletin/2025-02-05/public-notice/town-of-keene-tree-cutting-notice-for-the-reroute-of-the-jackrabbit-trail.

Top photo: The bear cubs that were killed in August in Old Forge, taken from a distance. Photo courtesy of Jess Proctor.