As Adirondack Park waits on rail trail construction, Pennsylvania GAP Trail boosts local business and offers hope for enthusiasts By Michael Virtanen On a summer morning in West Newton, Pennsylvania, Leslie Pierce pointed to four brightly … [Read more...] about A (rail) trail to success
The adventure swimmers
Committed “lake baggers” keep a list of the waters they cross By Michael Virtanen After hiking 5 miles up the trail to Avalanche Lake in the High Peaks, four people stripped to swimsuits in the wind that kept passersby in down vests and … [Read more...] about The adventure swimmers
Plastic pollutes the park
By Michael Virtanen Microplastics are polluting Adirondack streams and lakes once thought unaffected by the emerging environmental threat, according to recent research. Eroded bits of cast-off water bottles and plastic bags, tiny synthetic fibers … [Read more...] about Plastic pollutes the park
State lawmakers vote to extend invasive species protections
By MICHAEL VIRTANEN New York’s Legislature has voted to extend Department of Environmental Conservation authority to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, though the measure doesn’t contain the statutory provision sought by environmental … [Read more...] about State lawmakers vote to extend invasive species protections
Spreading road salt contamination
Adirondack Watershed Institute finds more wells with elevated salt. By Michael Virtanen New testing shows that more Adirondack wells are contaminated by unhealthful levels of road salt. The Adirondack Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College … [Read more...] about Spreading road salt contamination
Four bids received for rail line to North Creek
Warren County and the Town of Corinth have received four bids for the 40-mile rail line that runs from Saratoga to North Creek in the southern Adirondacks, where tourist trains stopped running last year. Bidders were expected to propose freight … [Read more...] about Four bids received for rail line to North Creek