Protect the Adirondacks (PROTECT) has been urging the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for years to conduct a carrying capacity study of the heavily used Saranac Lakes Complex.
After DEC failed to act in response to their formal demand letter, PROTECT filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to compel DEC to complete the required study.
The Saranac Lake Complex includes Upper, Middle and Lower Saranac Lakes as well as Weller Pond, Second Pond, Fish Creek Ponds, Square Pond, Little Square Pond, Copperas Pond, Floodwood Pond, Rollins Pond, Whey Pond, and Follensby Clear Pond.
A carrying capacity study evaluates the maximum level of cumulative development or recreational use that a water body can sustain without causing adverse impacts to water quality, fish and wildlife and their habitat, aesthetic values such as noise and light pollution, and the overall quality of the recreational experience.
PROTECT’s legal claim is based on explicit mandates in both the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan (Master Plan) and the Unit Management Plan for the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest, which require DEC to conduct such a study.
However, the New York State Supreme Court in Albany County dismissed the case on statute of limitations grounds. At the end of 2025, PROTECT filed an appeal with the Appellate Division, Third Department, and is currently awaiting a court date for oral argument in 2026.
“We are optimistic that the appellate court will recognize the strength of our arguments based on the clear language of the Master Plan, and direct DEC to undertake this mandated and long-overdue carrying capacity study,” said Christopher Amato, PROTECT’s Conservation Director and Counsel.
Despite the court setback, PROTECT and other Adirondack advocacy groups achieved a significant legislative victory in 2025 by securing a $1 million allocation in the State’s Environmental Protection Fund for a carrying capacity of the Saranac Lakes Complex as part of the 2025-2026 State budget.
To date, DEC has failed to act on this appropriation during the State’s fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2026, showing little interest in utilizing the funds or initiating the required study.
“We remain committed to holding DEC accountable and will continue to use all available means to ensure the agency fulfills its legal obligation to conduct this study,” said Claudia Braymer, PROTECT’s Executive Director.
Photos show the channel between Upper Saranac Lake and the Fish Creek Ponds. This channel is heavily traveled by motorboats and canoes and kayaks (provided by Protect the Adirondacks).
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