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From the minutes of the APA's May 11 -12 meeting that "the Agency unanimously adopted the revised draft resolution finding the St. Regis Canoe Area Unit Management Plan in conformance with the general guidelines and criteria of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan, except with regard to final action on the St. Regis Fire tower, to be further clarified through a proposed comprehensive study of fire towers..." To download the 2006 approved UMP for the St. Regis Canoe area click here please. It now appears that the Department of Environmental Conservation has one year from the date of adoption of this plan to develop a comprehensive plan for fire towers within the Adirondack Park. Should no such plan be developed or should a plan not meet the future approval of the APA, the St. Regis Fire Tower should be destined for removal in three years.
Though the official minutes of the May meeting are not available as of this date, the following are excerpts from a draft memo containing comments and recommendations to James Connelly dated May 4, 2006. "Staff believe the Agency's identification of the fire tower as a non-conforming use is the Canoe Area has been consistent since the first adopted Master Plan in 1972 and through two subsequent revisions..." "Staff recognize that there has been a growing, recent interest in maintaining the fire towers for their recreation and cultural resource values." "Staff believe that due to its closure in 1990 it is clear the tower no longer serves any essential purpose as defined by current Master Plan guidelines and criteria. Consequently, staff recommend that any action contained in the proposed comprehensive fire tower plan concerning the future of the Saint Regis Fire Tower should be incorporated in a UMP amendment for the review by the Agency. Staff further recommend that if no UMP amendment is approved, then the Saint Regis Fire Tower should be removed within three years of approval of this unit plan since it will continue to be a non-conforming structure in the Canoe Area. Staff also recognize the other alternatives of the comprehensive study could include either relocation (of the tower) or a revision to the Master Plan." "Staff believe the proposal may be found to be consistent with the guidelines and criteria of the Master Plan if the language can be revised to include the concern for the timing of removal of non-conforming structures as recommended above."
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The Unit Management Plan for the St. Regis Canoe Area faced its initial review by the Adirondack Park Agency on Thursday, April 6, 2006. The preferred management alternative selected for implementation calls for the development of "a comprehensive Adirondack fire tower management plan." It further states that "the Department will work with the APA in the development of this plan through a process that includes public involvement. This plan will address all State owned fire tower in the Adirondack Park. Until this plan is completed the fire tower on St. Regis Mountain will not be removed." Five other management alternatives were considered but not selected for implementation.
To view the meeting minutes click here.
To download first two pages click here.
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To view the minutes and the resolution click here.
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To download click here.
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