Landmark legal case could open Adk trails & roads to motorized recreation

Jim McCulley has been battling the DEC for years over their attempt to ticket him for driving a truck on part of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail between Lake Placid and Keene.

The DEC threw in the towel today, dismissing the ticket against McCulley and acknowledging that the road was never properly condemned.

McCulley has been a proponent of increased motorized recreation in the forest preserve and this case may give his side a big stick to wield in future battles.

The DEC appears to be conceding that hundreds of miles of town-owned roads through the Adirondacks could be legally open.

Translation: Wilderness and primitive areas may now have motorized routes punched deep into their remotest valleys.

The ramifications of this are still being sorted out. Chris Knight will have a full report tomorrow morning during the 8 O’clock Hour.

Tags: adirondacks