Things have gone too far

Dear Cris,

The Adirondack Council’s implication that the recent dismissal of its lawsuit against the 2008 snowmobile plan will result in snowmobile trails “virtually anywhere” is a typical misleading statement from this radical environmentalist organization.

It is just plain wrong. The plan actually calls for removal of established snowmobile trails from additional areas of state land. Here is a factual analysis with statistics from apa.ny.gov/gis/stats/colc1108.htm.

There are 2.52 million acres of state forest in the Adirondacks. Snowmobile trails are already prohibited on nearly half.

45.1 percent is classified as Wilderness, no snowmobiles allowed. 2.5 percent is Canoe Area or Primitive; no snowmobiles allowed.

51.2 percent is Wild Forest. Snowmobile trails used to be allowed anywhere in Wild Forest.

The new snowmobile plan crates a new pseudo-classification of “Remote Interior” of Wild Forest, defined as more than two miles from a “motorized corridor;” and it calls for reconfiguration of the trail system to remove snowmobile trails from the Remote Interior.

I estimate 50 percent of Wild Forest is “Remote Interior,” resulting in no snowmobile trails on roughly three-quarters of state land once “reconfiguration” is complete. Even if my estimate is off by half, this still leaves no trails on about two-thirds of state land.

It is clear this plan does not allow snowmobile trails “virtually anywhere,” but contains further restrictions.

The environmentalists have succeeded getting a plan that proposes to remove snowmobile trails from more areas. Yet they imply just the opposite.

As a further debunking of the “Adirondack state forest overrun by snowmobiles” propaganda spewed by radical environmentalists, consider this analysis.

The APA says there are about 766 miles of snowmobile trail on state land. (www.northcountrypublic-radio.org/pdfs/SLMP-Guideline4.pdf)

The new snowmobile plan restricts snowmobile trail width to eight or nine feet, depending on classification. Up to 12 feet wide may be approved only on hills or corners where required for safety. The plan also calls for narrowing trails presently wider than eight or nine feet.

The fact is many sections of existing trail are less than eight feet wide. However to be generous, I’ll assume an average snowmobile trail width of 10 feet.

Using this figure, we can calculate that (10 X 766 X 5280 / 43560 =) 928 acres are occupied by snowmobile trails, out of 2.52 million acres.

Snowmobile trails occupy an insignificant .037 percent of state land. This is hardly “virtually anywhere.”

Pete Newell

Glenfield and Lake Pleasant

Oak is a huge asset

To the editor:

The last several winters I have listened to many people who thanked us for keeping Oak Mountain open. I watch our community’s children. Watching them only strengthens my resolve to continue to work to keep Oak open.

Oak is a huge asset. Many things in our community cost us money, add to the quality of life, but will never bring us revenue. Oak, if run as a year-round facility, could. What a great community center it could be!

We have our critics. I say look at the big picture. In addition to bringing people into the community who spend money in our other businesses, without snowmobiling and Oak our winters would look like April does here.

These businesses collect sales taxes that go back into the community. Oak and the other businesses provide jobs and entertainment.

Let’s face it, our community was going downhill. Look at what we have now.

We have a great library, a growing museum, new gift shops, other thriving businesses, good restaurants, a bakery in Piseco, soon to have a make-and-take café and bakery in Speculator, and more.

We have a revitalization committee. They have done a fabulous job with benches and flowers. We have communities around us that don’t even have grocery stores.

I have had people tell me they don’t ski. I don’t either, but I know if we want to be a vibrant community we have to have something for everyone, especially our young families.

Some of you are negative about Oak, but you have grandchildren who are enjoying it. I don’t understand that. I want everything for mine.

In regard to the Village, we all recognize taking on Oak was a huge undertaking, but they stepped up to the plate and did it, and they continue to do it.

For our summer residents, if you think Oak is of no concern to you bear in mind our businesses cannot survive on income for two months of the year. Those businesses and restaurants you enjoy have to survive the other 10 months, or they won’t be there for you.

Lastly, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to our supporters, who continue to help us in every way they can. They donate their money and volunteer their time and talents.

Barbara Tracy

Friends Of Oak Mountain

Speculator