New York (State). Adirondack Mountain Authority.

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The Adirondack Mountain Authority was created by Chapter 958 of the Laws of 1960, superseding and continuing the former Whiteface Mountain Authority as an amendment of the Public Authorities Law.

The law gave the new authority powers and duties for acquiring lands and properties for additional recreational facilities, specifically for the development, improvement, and management of the authority and especially to construct, maintain, and operate ski trails on the slopes of the Gore, South, and Peter Gray mountains in Warren County. Furthermore, the law authorized the Conservation Department to acquire by gift, purchase, or appropriation (under the Conservation Law) lands and rights in lands or easements deemed by the authority to be necessary for developing Gore Mountain ski trails. Upon approval by the Comptroller, such lands were to be made available to the authority for development; money provided by the authority for the acquisitions was paid to the comptroller upon the request of the conservation commissioner.

The Adirondack Mountain Authority's predecessor, the Whiteface Mountain Authority, was itself preceded by a temporary state commission known as the Whiteface Mountain Highway Commission (Laws of 1929, Chapter 420) which was authorized to construct a state highway in Essex County, from Wilmington to the top of Whiteface Mountain, called the New York War Veterans Memorial Highway. In 1944 the original Whiteface Mountain Highway Commission became the Whiteface Mountain Authority, which was empowered to develop ski trails on Marble Mountain, a subsidiary peak of Whiteface. The Laws of 1957 (Chapter 310) provided for the construction and maintenance of ski trails on the slopes of Whiteface Mountain for the purpose of major winter sports development, to accommodate increased public demand and to capitalize on the mountains as tourist attractions. In 1965 the legislature authorized funds to expand these facilities for international competitive races.

Similar trends were reflected in the development of Gore Mountain. In 1962, 1963, and 1966 the legislature authorized money to construct and expand the Gore Mountain Ski Center at North Creek. The Laws of 1965, Chapter 1056 provided for construction of Prospect Mountain State Parkway in Warren County.

On September 30, 1968, the Adirondack Mountain Authority was terminated. In 1969 (Chapter 627) responsibility for its facilities, including the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center and the New York World War Veterans Memorial Highway (in Essex County) and the Gore Mountain Ski Center and the Prospect Mountain State Parkway (in Warren County), was transferred to the Conservation Department.

From the description of Legal and administrative files, 1957-1968. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 80124661

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf New York (State). Adirondack Mountain Authority. Legal and administrative files, 1957-1968. New York State Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Wilmington (N.Y.)
New York (State)
Gore Mountain (N.Y.)
Adirondack Mountains (N.Y.)
Warren County (N.Y.)
Essex County (N.Y.)
North Creek (N.Y.)
Whiteface Mountain (N.Y.)
Subject
Conservation of natural resources
Mountains
Natural resources
Recreation and state
Recreation areas
Recreation centers
Recreation management
Skis and skiing
Occupation
Activity
Environmental policy
Facility management
Managing natural resources

Corporate Body

Active 1957

Active 1968

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