This week, I’ve been looking at the controversy surrounding the big land conservation deals that are reshaping the Adirondack Park.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of thousands of acres have been affected in the last 15 years, either through easements restricting development on private land, or through outright purchases of land by the state of New York.<\/p>\n
Critics of these deals are raising some legitimate and interesting questions.<\/p>\n
Is the Department of Environmental Conservation too closely intertwined with the Adirondack Nature Conservancy, the leading green group on many deals?<\/p>\n
How exactly can the public determine where the interests of the state and its taxpayers end, and the interests of this private green group begin?<\/p>\n
Is it appropriate for the Conservancy to partner closely with state officials when New York negotiates with local elected leaders about the future dispositions of vast tracts of land?<\/p>\n
These are decisions that will shape the future of Adirondack hamlets for generations, and some leaders question the power and influence of environmentalists.<\/p>\n
Finally, are there enough opportunities for public oversight of the financial terms of these deals?<\/p>\n
These questions aren’t just fair. They are essential.<\/p>\n
Now that most of the big timber companies are gone, green groups have emerged as the largest and most influential landowners in the Park.<\/p>\n
Their activities warrant continued scrutiny.<\/p>\n
State Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo, says he will review one Clinton County deal in particular, in particular.<\/p>\n
He is expected to report on whether the best possible practices are being followed. All sides have welcomed his probe.<\/p>\n
But beyond this policy debate, some critics have also lobbed allegations about behavior that they believe amounts to corruption, collusion, and political chicanery.<\/p>\n
Hopefully, Cuomo’s report will shed more light on these claims.<\/p>\n
But my investigation and detailed interviews with many of the players could find no evidence to support them.<\/p>\n
Indeed, most of those making allegations offer few facts, only suspicions; and some of the harshest claims have been made anonymously.<\/p>\n
Did the Nature Conservancy collude with the Adirondack Park Agency to force people from their land? <\/p>\n
Is the green group pocketing sizable profits from their work in the Park?<\/p>\n
The answer to both questions appears to be no. <\/p>\n
On the Clinton County deal, the sale price was set by state officials following no fewer than five appraisals, two by DEC officials and three by different private auditors.<\/p>\n
What’s more, the Conservancy’s “sweetheart deal” profits — more than $3 million — were largely gobbled up by the costs of holding and managing the land on behalf of New York state.<\/p>\n
There’s also apparently no evidence of political string-pulling on the Clinton County deal.<\/p>\n
That kind of corruption would have required the approval of three Governors, one Republican and two Democrats. <\/p>\n
“Do I have any evidence of that? No,” conceded Fred Monroe, head of the Adirondack Local Government Review Board. “I have suspected it though.”<\/p>\n
Again, it’s important to ask serious and probing questions about environmental groups, their methods and their agenda.<\/p>\n
It’s also important to watchdog the activities and decisions of state agencies, which wield vast power in the Park. <\/p>\n
But it’s crucial that the debate focus on facts and evidence, not mere distrust and suspicion.<\/p>\n
Your thoughts are welcome.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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