Nov. Ballot Measure: Vote Yes on Prop 1

It’s election season again, and this November you’ll see a proposal on the ballot related to the Adirondacks.

Article 14 of the New York State Constitution protects the “Forever Wild” Forest Preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. However, over the years, exceptions have been approved through constitutional amendments to allow certain public uses such as cemeteries, municipal water wells, or ski areas at Belleayre, Gore, and Whiteface. Each exception required approval by the state legislature (twice) and then a statewide vote.

This year, Proposal 1 would add the Mount Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex to Article 14. ADK is asking voters to vote Yes on Prop 1.

Mount Van Hoevenberg, managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), hosts World Cup events and serves as a major training center for winter sports. The amendment would permit 323 acres of Forest Preserve land at the complex to be used for international-standard Nordic skiing, biathlon trails, and related facilities.

In return, the state would be required to add at least 2500 acres of new, equal- or higher-value forest land to the Adirondack Park’s Forest Preserve.

The goal of the amendment is to formally recognize and protect the long-standing recreational uses at Mount Van Hoevenberg while expanding the overall Forest Preserve.

Most of the complex, including the lodge, ski and bobsled tracks, and multiuse trails, was built on private or Town of North Elba land for the 1932 Winter Olympics. Over time, parts of the facility extended onto Forest Preserve land, which is protected under Article 14. Proposal 1 would officially authorize that use while securing thousands of acres of new protected land in return.

For full details, visit the New York State Board of Elections website:
https://elections.ny.gov/2025-statewide-ballot-proposal

This message comes from The Committee to Defend Forever Wild.