Walking through the wilderness is a sensational experience, with the scent of pine trees, the singing of birds and the rustling of leaves. But soon enough, the roaring of snowmobiles will turn winter wonderlands into disruptive environments.

Thanks to New York state’s recent purchase of the Adirondack Mountains’ Boreas Ponds and thousands of wild acres surrounding them, portions of these pristine ecosystems are now open for use by motorized vehicles. The parcel of land contains a wide array of habitats that provide shelter for endangered birds, support thriving fisheries and represent an important region of ecological resilience in the face of growing climate change concerns.

Yet, the division of this region into land-use zones classified as “wilderness,” “wild forest,” “primitive” and “state administrative” means that Boreas Ponds and the surrounding natural areas are subject to different regulations concerning the use of motorized vehicles and other recreational activities.

Many organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, have praised Gov. Andrew Cuomo for purchasing the ponds and adjacent habitats. And while the purchase represents a step forward in protecting New York’s valuable natural areas, many community members have voiced concerns about the classifications applied to the newly-acquired land.

Stacy McNulty, the associate director of the Adirondack Ecological Center, said this is a conversation that needs to extend beyond Cuomo’s initial deal.

“The debate is still ongoing,” McNulty said.

McNulty said that while 11,412 acres were labeled “wilderness” areas, in which motorized vehicles are prohibited, the remaining classified areas will permit varying degrees of motor vehicle use. This means a tranquil hike through the Boreas Ponds may be interrupted by the sound of a snowmobile, which many Adirondack-dwellers rightfully see as problematic.

Cuomo maintains that the division of the Boreas Ponds area represents a “balance” between protecting natural habitat and boosting local economies. Supporters claim that leaving some of the land open to motorized recreation will provide more income for communities in the Adirondacks and boost tourism.

Others argue that the plan is not balanced at all, and worry that the intrusion of motor vehicles will disrupt the “true wilderness” experience of these designated areas in the tract, while endangering unspoiled ecosystems surrounding the ponds.

Critics say there’s no evidence that leaving part of the purchased land out of the “wilderness” designation will benefit the economy. In fact, they point to trends in the High Peaks Wilderness which suggest that wilderness areas, with their prohibition against motor vehicle use, may actually attract more tourism and counteract recent increases in rural-to-urban migration.

For some, “wilderness” areas may attract more visitors than less-regulated “wild forests,” because those seeking immersion in untouched nature prefer to travel by foot and explore without being uninterrupted by the roar of a snowmobiles or motorbikes. In addition to the limited roadless wilderness remaining in the United States, downgrading wilderness areas to wild forests may sacrifice the few lingering fragments of unspoiled nature in the Northeast.

During the commenting period for the development of the land management plan, more than 10,000 people weighed in, the majority of who were in support of a larger portion of the Boreas area being classified as “wilderness.”

Cuomo claimed the amount of land left out of the “wilderness” designation represented an attempt at reaching a compromise between preserving public land while also making room for recreational activities and meeting the economic needs of local communities. But if a compromise means ignoring thousands of people, then Cuomo may be going too far.

These criticisms don’t detract from the positive side of the purchase and protection of the Boreas Ponds, though.

“Both classes protect the land in the end from future development,” McNulty said.

The action will certainly do more to preserve pristine wildlands as valuable resources for endangered species, provide habitat corridors for species facing the effects of climate change and contribute to the resiliency of New York’s natural areas. But safeguarding wilderness as we imagine it — free of roaring motors and gasoline spills — will require more stringent land-use plans than the one Cuomo has approved for the beautiful Boreas Ponds.

Nature’s calling, and hopefully we’ll be able to hear it over the roar of motor vehicles.

Maizy Ludden is a senior biology major. Her column appears biweekly. You can reach her at mtludden@syr.edu.

Published on February 12, 2018 at 11:31 pm