In October 2021, Elk Lake Lodge owner John Ernst was appointed chair of the APA. Although John Ernst may be an outsider to the Park because he resides in NYC, he has done more to preserve the high peaks area than any local, and for that reason he deserves his appointment as chair of the APA.

The Adirondack Park Agency has been operating without a chair for 2 and half years and henceforth, has not been able to conduct the same level of planning for the region. The APA is a state funded program that “is responsible for maintaining the protection of the forest preserve, and overseeing development proposals of the privately owned lands” (Adirondack Park Agency, N.D.). The agency has been missing a chair since the previous one left in May of 2019. Much has happened in the region since then and the APA has had no one to ‘lead the charge’ on projects. 

There are some obvious reservations about Ernst from APA board members and locals because of his age and where he lives, but everyone can agree he is committed to protecting the Park and has the experience to do it the right way. Ernst has been active in countless Adirondack organizations as well as different roles in the APA itself. (Craig, 2021) However, some people are upset with Ernst’s appointment because he primarily lives in New York City. An executive director of the Park’s review board did not approve of Governor Hochul’s decision, “I’m extremely disappointed that this new precedent is being set, that somebody who lives and works outside the park now gets to have so much power over the people in the park” (Craig, 2021). The director, later in his interview, added “‘I’m glad the countdown is over,” Delaney said. “The Adirondacks have suffered from not having a chair’” (Craig, 2021). While Ernst may seem like a strange choice to some locals, he brings the experience that is necessary to move the Adirondacks forward.

The Elk Lake Lodge, owned by John Ernst, has donated his property as a conservation easement, ensuring that the property can never be developed further. A conservation easement means that while the lodge will still be allowed to operate, and forestry will still take place on the property, the property rights that allow the owners to develop further have been stripped away. (Knight, 2013) Mike Carr, who represents the Nature Conservancy in the Adirondacks commented on the significance of the easement, “It’s a gift to the people… you look at it on a map and you see the context and the continuity across Elk Lake, Boreas Ponds, the High Peaks Wilderness and the AuSable Club to the north” (Knight, 2013). 

Those who live within the boundaries of the Adirondacks often feel as though they are being controlled by an outside source. In many cases, this results in negative outcomes for the locals, as outsiders are concerned primarily with the profits they can accrue from the land. John Ernst is not one of these people though, and he has proved this through his generosity and volunteer time donated to the park.

Literature Cited

Adirondack Park Agency. (N.D.). Overview of APA Responsibilities and Mission. New York State Government. https://apa.ny.gov/About_Agency/responsibilities.htm

Craig, Gwendolyn. (October 20th 2021). Hochul appoint John Ernst APA chairman. Adirondack Explorer. https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/hochul-appoints-john-ernst-apa-chairman

Knight, Chris. (January 2013). Elk Lake preserve protected with easement deal. Adirondack daily Enterprise. https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2013/01/elk-lake-preserve-protected-with-easement-deal/