APA considers classifying bodies of water as wilderness

The Adirondack Park Agency is considering for the first time the classification of bodies of water to reinforce the policy of non-motorized use.

The proposal to classify the lake bed and waters of Lows Lake, Hitchens Pond and the Bog River as wilderness is part of a larger action for approximately 12,545 acres. An additional alternative under consideration would include classifying the lake bed and waters of Bog Lake, approximately 221 acres, as wilderness.

"There's only certain circumstances where something like this would be applicable," APA spokesman Keith P. McKeever said. "I don't think this would necessarily be precedent-setting."

The proposal is partially an outgrowth of debate over whether floatplanes should have access to Lows Lake, which lies in the towns of Clifton and Colton in St. Lawrence County and in the town of Long Lake in Hamilton County.

Lows Lake is part of a 50-mile canoe route, but paddlers have been unhappy since floatplanes began landing on the lake, a popular fishing spot, about 15 years ago.

On April 16, the APA, which enforces state laws controlling land use in the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park, approved a ban on float planes on Lows Lake after Dec. 31, 2011. The APA determined the flights were inconsistent with the master plan for the park.

The agency is advancing the water classification as well.

"This will make it clear the intent for Lows Lake is that it is part of the canoe route," Mr. McKeever said. "There won't be any confusion this is a wilderness area. This is a unique backcountry paddle."

The APA is accepting public comment and will conduct three public hearings regarding the proposals to classify and reclassify state land and water involving the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, Lows Lake Primitive Area, Hitchens Pond Primitive Area, Round Lake Wilderness Area, as well as the waterways.

The hearings will take place at 11 a.m. July 13 at the Ranger School in Wanakena, at 5:30 p.m. July 13 at Long Lake Town Hall and at noon July 20 at the DEC office, 625 Broadway, Albany.

Written comments may be sent through Aug. 28 to Richard Weber, APA assistant planning director, P.O. Box 99, Ray Brook, 12977.

The proposal includes 4,384 acres of state land and water, some of it recently acquired on the south shore of Lows Lake and lands north of Bog Lake. Approximately 8,161 acres of state land would be reclassified from primitive to wilderness.

Primitive allows for motorized use while a wilderness classification does not.

The plan also includes the creation of a new unit with a primitive classification to allow for the concrete dams that are in Lows Lake to the east and continued motorized access to private property.