Gov. signs legislation for potential Mt. Hoevenberg amendment

ALBANY | On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.8047/A.3628) implementing the potential constitutional amendment authorizing continued use and improvement of the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County. The landmark legislation secures New York's Olympic legacy by allowing essential upgrades to world-class training facilities, while simultaneously expanding and protecting the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve with the addition of at least 2,500 acres of new public lands. "New Yorkers will have the opportunity to decide whether to move forward with this important constitutional amendment," Gov. Hochul said. "By signing this legislation, we're ensuring that if voters approve the measure, the State will be ready to implement it immediately, allowing New York to strengthen its Olympic legacy at Mount Van Hoevenberg while protecting the Adirondack wilderness that defines who we are as New Yorkers." ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION If the Constitutional Amendment is passed by the voters, under this new law, the state is authorized to use a limited portion of Forest Preserve lands at the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex for the operation and maintenance of Nordic skiing and biathlon trails and their necessary facilities. To offset this use, the legislation requires the state to acquire at least 2,500 acres of true forest land within the Adirondack Park for inclusion in the Forest Preserve. Sen. Dan Stec said, "The legislation implementing the constitutional amendment authorizing continued use and improvement of the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County is vital to our region. It resolves a longstanding issue for the county, ensures our Olympic facilities remain state-of-the-art and protects the Adirondack Park Forest Preserve. I'm pleased that the governor has signed it into law." The Adirondack Council was also quick to applaud the legislation. "We commend Governor Hochul for signing this enabling legislation, guaranteeing that the state will fulfill its obligation to buy and add significant acreage to the Adirondack Park if voters approve Proposal 1 on Election Day," said Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul J. Aguirre. "Proposal 1 allows 323 acres of Park land to be integrated into the Olympic training facilities at Mt Van Hoevenberg in exchange for the State acquiring 2,500 acres of important wildlife and high-value conservation habitat. The bill the Governor signed today would allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to act quickly if the proposal is approved by the voters." Unlike the more common "land swap," all of the acreage involved in previous and future Olympic-style sports development at the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex will remain in the Forest Preserve. Similar use amendments are how state ski areas have been authorized on the Forest Preserve (Whiteface, Gore and Belleayre). If at any time in the future the land is no longer needed for sports training, removal of defunct structures would allow it to revert to a wild forest. "Voting 'yes' is an opportunity for all New Yorkers to directly participate in the protection of public land in the Adirondack Park," he said. "The amendment brings a successful resolution to long-standing issues related to the development of winter sports training facilities and biathlon trails managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority." SUSTAINABLE ADK LEGACY The Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, located in the Town of North Elba, is home to world-class Nordic skiing, biathlon and bobsled facilities. It has hosted Olympic and World Cup events and serves as a year-round training site for athletes from around the world. The legislation, which becomes effective if the amendment to allow Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land also referred to as: Proposal 1 — Use of Mount Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex Land and Acquisition of 2,500 Acres for Adirondack Park Amendment (2025) Proposal 1 is adopted, ensures that all development at the complex will conform to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and be authorized through a Unit Management Plan under state environmental law. The legislation would build upon New York's leadership in protecting the Adirondack Park's over six million acres of public and private land that form the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States. The legislation would only become effective if Proposal 1 is adopted. Information can be found here.

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Gov. signs legislation for potential Mt. Hoevenberg amendment

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