Phone: 518-891-4050
Working hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday
About the New York State Adirondack Park Agency
Overview
The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) was created in 1971 by the New York State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Park.
The APA is a New York State governmental agency with an eleven-member board, and a 54-person staff. The Board meets monthly to act on Park policy issues and permit applications. Board meetings take place the second Thursday and Friday of each month and are open to the public.
Mission
The mission of the APA is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties provided by law. This mission is rooted in three statutes administered by the Agency in the Park, they are:
- Adirondack Park Agency Act (pdf)
- New York State Freshwater Wetlands Act (pdf)
- New York State Wild, Scenic, and Recreational River Systems Act (pdf)
Furthermore, the Agency prepared two major plans—the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (pdf) and the Adirondack Park Land Use and Development Plan—which respectively manage Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack Park and development proposals on privately owned lands.
Services
The Agency provides several types of service to landowners considering new land use and development within the Park. These include:
Jurisdictional Advice: The Agency will provide a letter informing a landowner whether a permit is needed for a new land use and development or subdivision, or whether a variance is needed from the shoreline standards of the Agency. In many cases the letter advises that no permit or variance is needed. This determination is often helpful in completing financing and other arrangements related to new development in the Park.
Wetland Advice: The Agency will determine the location of regulated wetlands on a property or the need for a wetland permit.
Permit Application: A landowner proposing new land use or development who knows an Agency permit is required may initiate a permit application without first receiving jurisdictional advice.
Changes to the Park Plan map: Agency staff will advise on criteria, boundaries, and the process for amendment of the Official map.
Information taken from the site: apa.ny.gov
Photo taken from the site: www.ny.gov/agencies
