What you'll see on the ballot
Allows skiing and related trail facilities on state forest preserve land. The site is 1,039 acres. Requires State to add 2,500 acres of new forest land in Adirondack Park.
A yes vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve.
A no vote does not authorize this use.
What this proposal says
This proposal would allow the expansion of new ski trails in the Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County, New York. The Olympic Sport Complex is in state forest preserve land. This proposal would also require New York State to add 2,500 acres of protected forest land to Adirondack Park.
What this proposal means
Currently, there are strict rules for the kinds of construction that are allowed on state-owned and protected forest land. The Olympic Sports Complex is in the Adirondack forest preserve in Essex County (in upstate New York). This proposal would allow the construction of new ski trails.
This proposal also requires New York State to add an additional 2,500 acres of forest land to the Adirondack forest preserve. This is a statewide ballot proposal because it requires a change to the New York State Constitution.
A “yes” vote changes the New York State Constitution to allow the creation of new trails in the Olympic Sports Complex on forest preserve land in Essex County, New York.
A “no” vote leaves the New York State Constitution unchanged.
Summary of Statements – Vote Yes on Proposal 1
Those who submitted statements in support of Proposal 1 state that by authorizing limited development and requiring the state to compensate the public with 2,500 acres of new protected forest land, the measure adequately protects the nature of the Adirondack Forest. They point out that any changes to state forest preserves require the approval of both voters and the legislature. The Adirondack Council, an organization whose mission is to protect the ecological integrity of Adirondack Park, says, “This amendment would bring into compliance with the NY Constitution several apparent land-use violations by the state’s Olympic Regional Development Authority” by allowing the state to keep already-constructed Olympic facilities, later build new sports facilities, and retain the lands under the sports complex in the Forest Preserve. Additionally, the Adirondack Council writes, “When the training facilities become obsolete, state law would require their removal so the site could revert to wild forest. The amendment also specifically prohibits tourist attractions at Mt. Van Hoevenberg (zip lines, hotels, condominiums, off-road vehicle rentals, etc.) and bans commercial buildings above 2,200 feet (to protect sensitive sub-alpine forest).”
Institutional and elected respondents:
- Center for the Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY)
- Climate Changemakers
- The Adirondack Council
Number of statements: 5
Summary of Statements – Vote No on Proposal 1
Respondents expressed concern about weakening or carving out constitutional protections for New York’s “forever wild” forest preserves, either because doing so could create a precedent for future encroachments on protected land, or because they feel state forests should remain free of ski trails. One respondent shared they plan to not vote on this proposal due to their lack of information about the origin of and support for it. Council Member Robert Holden writes, “New York’s ‘forever wild’ protections are not a suggestion. I oppose carving exceptions into the Constitution for new construction on protected lands. Once we weaken these safeguards, it becomes easier to do it again.”
Institutional and elected respondents:
- Council Member Robert Holden
Number of statements: 3
