Governor Andrew Cuomo, a self-proclaimed lover of the Adirondacks, announced the completion of the largest land acquisition inside the Blue Line in more than a century with the 20,758-acres Boreas Pond Tract.
This marks the final series of purchases from a 2012 agreement with The Nature Conservancy. It's a move that will protect 69,000 acres previously owned by the former Finch Pruyn paper company. The land is located just south of the popular High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Essex County town of North Hudson.
“The Adirondack Forest Preserve is a national treasure, and adding nearly 21,000 acres to the Preserve by completing the acquisition of the former Finch lands will benefit the region for generations to come,” said Governor Cuomo. “By acquiring this remarkable tract, we are helping to conserve the region’s natural beauty while also creating new economic opportunities for communities in the park. This will provide even more unparalleled settings for outdoor tourism and recreation, and I encourage New Yorkers to visit the region and see what they’ve been missing.”
The state used $14.5 million from the Environmental Protection Fund to purchase the land. Cuomo sent a letter today the Adirondack Park Agency requesting they begin the often-times controversial classification process.
We took a trip to the area last year.
