essays

Intensive Use Confusion Over Moose River Plains

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Recently, the Adirondack Park Agency adopted several changes to Moose River Plains Wild Forest in the master map of the Adirondack Park. One of the biggest changes was to convert an area around Moose River Plains Road and Red River Road into an “Intensive Use Area” known as the “Moose River Plains Camping Area” (MRPCA), to allow campsites to remain that are within 1/4 mile of each other, which otherwise would violate the Adirondack Park Land State Master Plan (APLSMP) for Wild Forest.

The change is pretty slight, described as in Moose River Plains Intensive Use Area Plan (PDF):

“The proposed MRPCA will look very similar to the existing roadside uses in the MRPWF. The sole purpose for proposing the creation of the MRPCA is to allow roadside camping in higher density than can be allowed under wild forest guidelines. Although the APSLMP will recognize this newly created intensive use area as a campground by definition, the overall management goals include protecting the wild character of both the MRPCA and the MRPWF. The Department intends to manage this area in a manner that is much more reflective of wild forest guidelines, with the exception of the camp site separation distance guideline. The management responsibilities for the MRPCA will remain with the Division of Lands and Forests and will be regulated under those parts of NYCRR 6 Part 190 that are applicable to the adjoining wild forest lands. Due to the close relationship between the MRPWF and the MRPCA any future revisions to either UMP will require an assessment of potential impacts on both units and possibly a revision to both UMPs.”

“Unlike other intensive use area campgrounds in the Park, amenities such as bath houses, playgrounds, and paved drives are not ever going to be considered for the MRPCA. What is envisioned for the MRPCA is up to 150 roadside campsites along approximately 20 miles of roads through the MRPWF. These sites will have fire rings,pit privies and picnic tables as their only amenities. Some of these sites are relatively close to the road, while others are several hundred feet back and are accessed by short driveways. A majority of these sites will be comprised of existing sites, some fairly well separated from other sites and some clustered in small groups. This provides for a variety of camping opportunities depending on what users are seeking. Existing sites that are very close to the road may be relocated to a location that provides better screening or may be converted to parking areas with a walk‐in site located a short distance from the parking area. Any newly constructed sites will be located in a manner to provide vegetative screening between the site and the road.”

The confusing part of this comes into the fact these lands will be considered “Intensive Use”, which is essentially a symonym for “DEC Campground” in APLSMP. While few people read APLSMP, many people buy maps and go onto websites to figure out where they are going to camp.

Cascade Falls

Map makers, especially those not from the Adirondacks will likely fail to distinguish between the Moose River Plains Camping Area, and a more developed campground like that of DEC Campground Limekiln Lake, DEC Campground Eight Lake, or DEC Campground Indian Lake. Indeed, this what concerns the DEC in the MRPCA plan:

“Although use levels within the current MRPWF have been fairly stable for the past several years, the creation of a new area, even if only by name, may initially result in an increase in camping use of the area.”

“The creation of the MRPCA will create some challenges in educating the public as to what to expect within the area. As the area will not charge fees, nor will reservations be taken, users will be arriving at the area without the benefit of knowing what site they may be camping at. Users will need to drive through the area and locate a site that is suitable for their needs. In the unlikely case that no sites are available, users will need to be educated as to what alternatives exist in the general area. Providing information at the two entrance points, Cedar RiverFlow and Limekiln Lake, will be an important part of informing users of the type of opportunity available in the MRPCA. It will also provide an opportunity to provide information on alternative locations should the MRPCA not meet their expectations. Additional information will be made available on the Department’s website and inthe revised unit brochure for the MRPWF.”

If these changes make it to the DEC website it would be helpful…

Yet, we know the DEC often does not put important information on it’s website, and indeed it seems likely the Division of Operations which operates the Limekiln, Eight Lake, and Indian Lake Campgrounds would fight to avoid including a “free” camping area that could directly compete with their $25 a night sites, that offer only minimally nicer ammenities such as centralized trash dumpsters, flush toilets, and showers. Moose River Plains, if promoted by Division of Lands and Forest could canabalize the business of these other campsites.

Site 57 in the Plains

People will be in for a surpise if they come up here, looking for an established campground. Roadside campsites are spread out over 20 miles, people are often 30 miles from the nearest gas station. The roads are rough, they can be challenging in places to travel with a car. Without regular patrols and surrounded by vast Wild Forest and Wilderness on four sides, the possibility of people getting lost grows. Already, people get lost up here, but with additional promotion through the name change — and the attraction to those unfamiliar with the Adirondack tradition of roadside camping, it’s only asking for trouble.

Thunderstorm Coming to the Plains

The changes to the Moose River Wild Forest may be needed to keep the majority of the camping sites open and compatible with the APSLMP, but it seems as though converting Moose River Plains Road to Intensive Use, and indicating it on maps as such, only will lead to more confusion.

Only 31 Miles to Indian Lake

The state should instead admend the Adirondack Park Master Plan:

  1. Make existing “road-side” legacy campsites less then 1/4 mile separation legal.
  2. Require only new campsites that are developed to have the 1/4 mile separation.

Think Locally, Act Locally

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In 1970, Earth Day activists talked about Thinking Globally, But Acting Locally. Their argument was that what one community does, effects other communities. Yet, it’s too difficult to affect international communities, so it’s best to focus locally. Yet, today we see the problem with thinking too globally and ignoring local concerns.

Thunderstorm Coming to the Plains

On this Earth Day I would suggest a different approach to environmental problems: rather then thinking globally and acting locally, we should instead think locally and act locally. Despite all the hype about global commerce, and advances in transportation, we spend most of our lives locally in places that should matter.

Geese in Chenango River

Local places are any places where we reside, work, or otherwise spend time in. Too often local places do not get the attention they deserve. There is such a national and international focus on issues, and our nearby surroundings get ignored at the cost of bigger issues. This Earth Day we should pay more attention to our communities, to their needs, and their future.

Too often all the action and concern is over big issues. There will certainly be a lot cry and concern about Climate Change and fossil fuels this year. That’s a big issue. But what about our own communities? Is their a need to demand better transit options, better parks, and more businesses nearby? Especially with rising gas prices, we should be concerned more about our community’s well being, as it’s getting more and more expensive to get away.

Lower Blue Ridge

We do not need any more cookie cutter communities or standardized designs that reflect global trends. We need to think more locally, more about building communities that suit local needs, not theoretical national or international trends. It’s time we moved away from a one size fits all, and work to develop communities that serve local needs efficiently and desirably.

What Happened to Ferris Lake and Wilcox Lake Unit Management Plans?

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What Happened to Ferris Lake and Wilcox Lake Unit Management Plans? The DEC released drafts and took public comment, yet never attempted to APA or Comissioner approval. The typical process for Unit Management Plans is:

  1. Conduct resource inventory of the unit area.
  2. Solicit written and verbal input from the public through press releases and meetings.
  3. Development of a draft plan and address State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) issues.
  4. Prepare a draft plan (for the APA to review in the Adirondack Park).
  5. Release draft UMP and conduct public hearings.
  6. Resolve issues, revise the plan (with APA review for compliance with the APSLMP).
  7. DEC Commissioner gives final approval and the UMP is adopted.

According to the DEC’s Unit Management Plans website, the following parcels of land in Adirondack Park had Draft Unit Management Plans and took public comment. The DEC got through Step 4 (Draft Plan and Public Comment), yet no final document was approved:

  • Ferris Lake Wild Forest – Public comment closed on December 2006
  • Wilcox Lake Wild Forest – Public comment closed on March 2007

Cascade Falls

These two parcels represent the two largest wild forests in the Southen Adirondacks, with the largest “developed” recreation facilities such as primative campsites, hiking and snowmobile trails. They are located within 30 miles of major interstate highways, namely the Thruway and Adirondack Northway.

Ferris Lake Wild Forest.

Bridge Over Wilcox Outlet

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.

Susquehanna State Forest

The Adirondack State Land Master Plan describes Wild Forests as:

A wild forest area is an area where the resources permit a somewhat higher degree of human use than in wilderness, primitive or canoe areas, while retaining an essentially wild character. A wild forest area is further defined as an area that frequently lacks the sense of remoteness of wilderness, primitive or canoe areas and that permits a wide variety of outdoor recreation.

Those areas classified as wild forest are generally less fragile, ecologically, than the wilderness and primitive areas. Because the resources of these areas can withstand more human impact, these areas should accommodate much of the future use of the Adirondack forest preserve. The scenic attributes and the variety of uses to which these areas lend themselves provide a challenge to the recreation planner. Within constitutional constraints, those types of outdoor recreation that afford enjoyment without destroying the wild forest character or natural resource quality should be encouraged.

Many of these areas are under-utilized. For example the crescent of wild forest areas from Lewis County south and east through Old Forge, southern Hamilton and northern Fulton Counties and north and east to the Lake George vicinity can and should afford extensive outdoor recreation readily accessible from the primary east-west transportation and population axis of New York State.

Frame 27

It’s not totally clear why the Spitzer and Paterson administrations did not proceed to revise the plans and seek final approval by the DEC Commissioner. Some issues one can think of:

  • The issue of controversal proposed road closures under Section 212, especially in the Wilcox Lake UMP. Many residents expressed concerns over certain roads are hearings and comments.
  • The issue of road-side camping? Developed facilities shown in maps appear to be incompatible with the seperation guidelines of the APSLMP, especially along Route 8 in Wilcox Lake and Piesco-Powley Road in Ferris Lake?
  • The role of ATVs and off-road vehicles in the UMP — should they be allowed? How do they fit in the APSLMP? This was not proposed in the draft UMP, however many in the public have expressed support for such facilities.

Plains of East Canada Creek

It’s too bad that these issues can not be resolved in a way that all sides can agree on. Closing off the campsites and the roads would be a disappointing option, yet at some point the state really should approve a UMP as:

Without a UMP, the management of these Forest Preserve lands can easily become a series of uncoordinated reactions to immediate problems.  No new facility construction, designation, or major rehabilitation can be undertaken until a UMP is completed and approved, with current management limited to routine maintenance and emergency actions. A written plan stabilizes management despite changes in personnel and integrates related legislation, legal codes, rules and regulations, policies, and area specific information into a single reference document. Other benefits of the planning process that are valuable to the public include the development of area maps, fishing information handouts, and a greater awareness of recreational opportunities and needs within specific areas of the Adirondack Park. In view of tight budgets and competition for monetary resources, plans that clearly identify area needs have greater potential for securing necessary funding, legislative support, and public acceptance.

Let’s hope there can be some kind of compromise reached, so future facilities and investments can forward on these important pieces of land in the Southern Adirondacks.

There Are No “Free to Use” Government Services

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I always get a kick out of people who say that camping in state or national forests are free, or visiting the public library is free. Free camping or hiking or reading is a joke. Indeed, it’s not free at all. Somebody pays for it, most likely you and I do.

Most of us pay a weekly or bi-weekly “subscription” fee to use those services, in the form of payroll and other taxes.It’s very hard to measure whether or not one is using their fair share of services. Many government services benefit not one individual, but society as a whole. Many promote economic growth, which also benefits us all. Others promote society’s well being, even if we do not personally take advantage of the services.

Taxes 365.49

… there is No Such Thing As Free to Use Government Services.

Reading in the Rain

Straight Thru the Plains

The Road

The History of Watson’s East Triangle

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… from the Watson’s East Triangle Unit Management Plan.

Human occupation of the Adirondack region took place immediately following the Wisconsin glaciation period (10,000‐8,00BC). Native American artifacts representing all periods of New York prehistory have been found throughout the region, most sites being associated with water bodies. The Oswegatchie River, which is an important resource for this unit, was a boundary between the easternmost of the Iroquois nations, the Mohawks and the Oneidas. Most of the recent history of this unit revolves around hopes and dreams of early speculators and the harvesting of timber. Unfortunately much of this history has gone undocumented.

Oswegatchie River, Adirondacks

The major historical events and dates that influenced this unit are described below:

Pre 1770’s ‐ Occupied by Native American Indians

1792 ‐ Alexander Macomb purchase nearly 4,000,000 acres in northern New York for 84 an acre. Shortly following this purchase Macomb was sent to debtors prison. His holdings were taken over by his partner William Constable.  

1796 ‐ James Watson acquires 61,433 acres in Herkimer and Lewis Counties comprised of two triangular pieces joined only by a narrow isthmus.

1809 ‐ James T. Watson inherits the lands of his father, James Watson.

1854 ‐ James T. Watson commits suicide; his holdings in the east triangle, are split among 44 surviving cousins.

1854‐1907 ‐ Through subsequent tax sales all of Watson’s former lands in the east triangle come into State ownership.

1907‐1912 ‐ Through tax sales the State Comptroller sells these same lands to the International Paper Company for a total of approximately $7,600.

1986 ‐ The State of New York acquires title to the remaining lands of International Paper within the Watson’s East Triangle.

1989 ‐ The State acquires 6,737 acres of the Lassiter Tract in fee, and purchases a conservation easement (Oswegatchie Tract) from the Nature Conservancy on 17,749 acres in Lewis County.

1999 ‐ Champion International sells its land holdings in New York State. The State acquires a conservation easement on 110,000 acres of these lands throughout the Adirondack Park, including the Croghan Tract. The State also acquires 29,000 acres of these lands for inclusion in the Forest Preserve. The lands acquired by the State in fee consist mostly of river corridors and other ecologically sensitive areas.

2000‐ The former IP lands are classified by APA, with much of the acreage going into Watson’s East Triangle Wild Forest, while some is classified wilderness along with reclassification of some existing acreage of WF to wilderness.

2006‐ Lands acquired in 1999 from Champion International are classified and added to the unit.

Five Ponds Wilderness Area

Why Not Make Electrically-Powered “Trolley” Cars and Trucks?

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I’ve always wondered what the fascination with battery technology is, when the proven technology used by trolleys and streetcars for over 120 years is electricity via rail or wire. There are no limitations on range or power delivered electrified lines, and use avoid the inefficiency of power stored in a battery.

I could envision the car of a future being a gasoline engine with complete cylinder deactivation, where the complete engine is shut off by a solenoid disconnecting the rocker arms controlling the valves ala the Active Fuel Management widely used in General Motors pickup trucks today.

On major highways and other high traffic roads where “electric wires” are available, as sensed by a radio signal, the car would automatically pop up trolley poles through the roof like a power radio antenna. Electric consumption and billing information would be transmitted through a signal in the wire to the billing municipality, public authority, or power company.

An electric motor/generator in the transmission of the car would spin the drive train and engine, including pushing up and down engine pistons (using the exhaust in the cylinders and shut valves as a choosen) and flywheel. When braking or going downhill, the motor acting as a generator would put recovered power back into the electric line.

Electric Bus

The nice thing about this system is there is no range or weight limitation, and uses existing technologies. You could power even semi-trucks or buses with this technology. Moreover, if you become disconnected temporarily from the electric line, the motion of engine’s pistons decompressing the exhaust left in the cylinders and the standard flywheel, would keep the car coasting until electricity came back or the solenoids reconnected the push-rods to the rocker arm and started feeding the engine gasoline once again (the later could happen basically instantly if there is such a power demand).

Because your still moving the pistons up and end down and compressing waste gases, the engine never gets cold, always has warm coolant to heat the inside of the car, and is always ready to burn gasoline at proper operating temperature whenever electricity is dropped.

I can not imagine a future where cars don’t have at least some kind of internal combustion engine that burns gasoline or diesel, at least part of the time. We have been refining Internal Combustion Engines for 110 years now, and the technology is so well engineered and reliable, that it seems likely that cars will use Internal Combustion Technology of some sort for at least another 110 years, if not longer. Internal Combustion Engines are only going to be come cleaner and less polluting as pollution control standards and technology improves, and they are only going to burn less gas or diesel in decades to come.