New Chapter the ADK Board of Directors Has Approved the Creation of the Northville-Placid
ADK Today
Vol. 4, No. 3: Friday, April 1, 2011
New Chapter The ADK Board of Directors has approved the creation of the Northville-Placid Trail Chapter. ADK's 27th chapter will focus on enhancing and promoting the NPT, which stretches 133 miles through some of the wildest and most remote parts of the Adirondacks. The NPT was the first trail project undertaken by ADK after its founding in 1922. More here.
Gas Drilling
On March 26, the ADK Board of Directors, at the recommendation of the Conservation Committee, approved a resolution supporting legislation to regulate High Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (HVHHF) in New York and water withdrawals associated with HVHHF. The resolution also authorizes ADK's Public Affairs Office to work for passage of these crucial bills. Read the resolution here. On March 24, ADK Executive Director Neil Woodworth made a presentation in Norwich, NY, on the environmental threats to state forests and public land from gas exploration. He'll be making similar presentations to three ADK chapters in the coming month: Long Island, April 5; Albany, April 12; and Genesee Valley, April 13. The complete schedule, plus additional information on this crucial issue, is available here. ADK will also be participating in a Fracking Day of Action! on Monday, April 11. The day will include a rally on the lawn of the State Capitol and visits with legislators, educating them on the potential dangers of horizontal hydrofracking. If you want to participate, please contact Allison Beals at or (518) 449-3870 Ext. 12.
National Trails Day National Trails Day 2011 is Saturday, June 4. Help us get trails in the Inlet area in good shape. Then stick around for a barbecue dinner, live music and more. Free camping is available for all volunteers both Friday and Saturday nights at the Limekiln Lake State Campground. Hard work and good times! Details here.
Mercury Standards A few years ago, ADK joined in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Mercury Rule, a cap-and-trade program that would have allowed continued mercury contamination of the Adirondacks and Catskills. More than two years after our final victory in federal court, EPA has proposed the first-ever national standards for mercury, arsenic and other toxic air pollution from power plants. The new standards would require many coal-burning power plants to install state-of-the-art pollution control technologies to cut harmful emissions of mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and gases that cause acid rain and smog. More here.
Get a Sneak Peek Get a preview here of auction items to be offered at the Black Fly Affair: A Hikers Ball. Black Fly is not only ADK's biggest fund-raising event, it's a great party. This year's event will be held Saturday, May 21, at the Hiland Park Country Club in Queensbury. Full details here.
State Budget The 2011-12 state budget leaves the Environmental Protection Fund essentially intact, while adding funding to keep the Tug Hill Commission in business. The budget approved by the Legislature maintains the EPF at $134 million, the same level as last year. The EPF includes $17.5 million for open-space programs and $16.2 million for stewardship of public lands. Stewardship funds support ADK's Professional Trail Crew and Summit Steward Program.
Leave No Trace Community Outreach Coordinator Thea Moruzzi and Outdoor Leadership Coordinator Ryan Doyle have just returned from running a custom Leave No Trace Master Educator course for the Adventuresports Institute at Garrett College in McHenry, MD. They trained 10 new Master Educators, including Associate Professor Andrew Hershey, an adjunct faculty member, and eight students in the Adventure Sports Management program. The course ran from March 23-27. Find out more about ADK's Leave No Trace courses here.
ididaride! Early Bird Special Register for ididaride!Adirondack Bike Tour by June 1 and save $10. You can now register online at active.com. The 2011ididaride! will be held Sunday, Aug. 14, in the heart of the Adirondacks. Get complete details here.
Plan Ahead It's time to start planning those warm-weather outdoor adventures, and ADK can help. Our highly trained and experienced staff can assist you in mastering hiking and paddling skills, climbing a trailless high peak, or learning how to find your way in the backcountry with a map and compass. With ADK's outdoor programs and workshops you'll develop the skills and confidence that will make your future outings more rewarding. And did we mention, they're a lot of fun? Complete listings are availablehere.
ADK in the News
- Northville-Placid Trail Chapter now an official chapter of ADK
- With spring, comes hiking
- Better Bald Than Twisted, locals say
Head for the trails to enjoy spring
EPA mercury rules hailed as help for NY lakes
New development in Adirondacks sparks fears about popular canoe route
Final push on to save Tug Hill Commission
Lawsuit challenges access to Adirondack wilderness for people with disabilities
Jan & Feb Search and Rescues
Other News
- Body of missing Dewitt woman found in the Adirondacks
- NY drilling regs may take all summer
- Hiker's next step for 50th birthday: Machu Picchu
- Give a hoot -- don't spread invasives?
APA fears Old Mountain Road implications
Officially extinct, mountain lions still haunt the Adirondacks
ADK Today is an occasional compendium of news and views of interest to members of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). It is produced and distributed by the ADK Communications Department, 301 Hamilton Street, Albany, NY 12210. Comments, questions or concernsabout the content of this newsletter? Send us an e-mail.Read past issues..
Save $10 on your ididaride!registration now through June 1st! Do the ride for ADK!
Sincerely,
Everyone at the
Adirondack Mountain club