ADK Applauds Updates to Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan

ADK appreciates the Adirondack Park Agency’s (APA) recent updates to the proposed final amendments to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (APSLMP), shared at Friday’s meeting in Ray Brook.

We support the decision to pause the proposal exempting Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) from the definition of motor vehicle in the APSLMP. This allows for thoughtful review and alignment with the statewide accessibility policy currently in development. The original proposal risked opening wilderness and protected areas to motorized use.

“ADK supports ensuring access for all in the Adirondack Park,” said ADK Executive Director, Cortney Worrall. “We’re pleased the APA is taking time to carefully consider the implications of OPDMD use and accessibility policy.”

We also appreciate the APA’s language updates related to Visitor Use Management. Unlike traditional planning documents, a Visitor Use Management Framework (VUMF) is adaptive—incorporating ecological, physical, and social factors—and responds to on-the-ground conditions through ongoing monitoring and adjustments to management strategies.

We remain encouraged by New York State’s commitment to using VUM as defined by the Interagency Visitor Use Management Council, “a proactive and adaptive process” to protect natural resources while supporting quality visitor experiences.

Thank you to the APA for your careful consideration of these important issues.