{"id":10918,"date":"2013-08-27T13:56:09","date_gmt":"2013-08-27T17:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/?p=10918"},"modified":"2013-10-22T08:02:05","modified_gmt":"2013-10-22T12:02:05","slug":"ny-takes-up-adirondack-train-debate-in-september","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/2013\/08\/27\/ny-takes-up-adirondack-train-debate-in-september\/","title":{"rendered":"NY takes up Adirondack train debate In September"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Time<\/a>

Time for the debate to leave the station? Photo: Matt Johnson<\/a>, Creative Commons,\u00a0 some rights reserved<\/p><\/div>\n

This just in from New York’s Conservation Department:<\/p>\n

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today announced they will hold four public meetings in September about the management of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor, a 119-mile rail line in the western Adirondack Mountains.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sessions will be held in Old Forge, Tupper Lake, Ray Brook and Utica.\u00a0 This is a public debate that critics of the tourism train now operating in the north-central Adirondacks have been demanding.<\/p>\n

A growing advocacy group calling itself ARTA wants the track repurposed as a multi-use trail.\u00a0 Train buffs say the tourism railroad offers a unique, historical attraction for visitors.<\/p>\n

The issue has divided long-time allies, and meant peculiar partnerships between old foes.\u00a0 But this is the first time that state officials have waded into the fray.<\/p>\n

Here’s the balance of the DEC’s press release:<\/p>\n

Information and comments gathered from the public and stakeholder groups will help the commissioners of the two state agencies determine whether to amend the Remsen-Lake Placid Corridor Unit Management Plan.\u00a0 The plan, adopted by DEC and NYSDOT in March 1996, assesses the natural and physical resources along the 100-foot-wide corridor and identifies opportunities for public use.\u00a0 It guides how the corridor is used and managed.<\/p>\n

The public meetings are scheduled for the following dates and locations.<\/p>\n