The Adirondack Park Agency’s proposals to limit public comment and shorten its own time clock for reviewing draft policies drew more than 500 unsupportive comments, including a joint letter from four past agency leaders opposing the changes.
“The limits in the policy proposal read like public comments are a bother to be pushed off to a time when people have one foot out the door or are otherwise beginning to think of the next event,” the former APA chairs wrote.
The Adirondack Explorer reviewed 654 pages of comments received from Freedom of Information Law requests and found one in support. Some commenters agreed with portions of the changes, but most – from residents, to local government groups, to environmental groups – were alarmed by the overall reduction in public participation.
The board will likely discuss the policy changes at its monthly meeting in May, said spokesman Keith McKeever. It will be at the discretion of the board whether to vote on the changes then or defer a month, he said.
Eliminating public comment at the beginning of monthly board meetings;
Designating a public comment period at the end of meetings;
Shortening the time constituents may send public comments on monthly board meeting material to the board and staff;
Eliminating public comment periods for unit management plans about their conformance to the APA’s rules and regulations;
Eliminating a requirement for the board to hold three meetings before approving a new policy;
Eliminating a requirement to network with constituents in the process of developing a policy and replacing it with establishing “an understanding of the interests” of constituents affected.
The APA is charged with long-range planning for the 6-million-acre park and oversees public and private development. Its board is made up of appointments by the governor…
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