About Zachary Matson

Zachary Matson has been an environmental reporter for the Explorer since October 2021. He is focused on the many issues impacting water and the people, plants and wildlife that rely on it in the Adirondack Park. Zach worked at daily newspapers in Missouri, Arizona and New York for nearly a decade, most recently working as the education reporter for six years at the Daily Gazette in Schenectady.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ned Scudder says

    The fact that an unpermitted 2nd boathouse of 2800 square feet – more than twice the size of what would theoretically be legal – was granted approval following a $50,000 “penalty” really doesn’t pass the sniff test.

  2. Dana says

    Oh, the trials and tribulations of the wealthy.

    APA has plenty of teeth to combat the average Joe who can’t afford lawyers, but loses them when dealing with developers with good lawyers on retainer. I am preparing the popcorn for the show.

    • mrdale14424 says

      This is exactly what I was thinking as I read this!
      As I would hear from Senate majority leader Joe Bruno when I worked in the Albany area with some trade associations looking for political favors; “we are all friends here”.

      And so it goes…

  3. Jonny says

    APA is about as crooked as they come. Just look up whose on the agency, then see who they are related to. The APA, among other Adirondack committees and agencies, need oversight or transparency for the public. They are the rich protecting the rich and politically connected.

  4. Paul says

    I think the design is nice, and fits much better with the lake than a bunch of docks with open boats and worse – tarps like we see too much on the lakes. Changing that boathouse regulation was one of the worst decisions in my opinion. Creates eyes sores all over the park. At least boathouses are regulated and you can’t build pink or orange ones!

    • Paul says

      What do you mean? Lake Placid is a beautiful lake and mostly undeveloped. And not because it is state land, but because people want to keep it nice, so what if they haver some money. Nothing wrong with that.

  5. Diane Leifheit says

    Winemiller nor the writer of this article seem to have no knowledge that the State does indeed pay taxes to the municipality of properties picked up by the State. Not a reason to support the purchase by the State. Do your homework.

  6. Parmelee Tolkan says

    This end of the lake is indeed the most secluded, most placid part of the lake. Interestingly, Echo Bay was a site of some of the earliest camps on Lake Placid. There were at least Two large boathouses and camps at the far end of the bay and the Uihleins had a camp on the point nearer to East Lake. It is thought that the oldest structure on the lake was an artist’s studio on the Woodsmoke property.
    The state has purchased the aforementioned properties to preserve the scenic beauty and the wild feel. It is a shame that they were unable to complete a deal on Woodsmoke.
    As to the comments about the wealthy and their connections to the APA, that is a truth of life in the USA. Money buys access, but in this instance, money protected the beauty of the lake. Anyone with a boat,kayak, or canoe has access to this beautiful lake (through the NYS boat launches)and the state land i.e. land that belongs to ALL of us, at the end of the lake.

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