Click here for a PDF of this support letter submitted to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on August 15, 2025.

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August 15, 2025

Steve Guglielmi
NYSDEC
PO Box 296, 1115 State Route 86
Ray Brook, NY 12977

RE: Debar Pond Lodge 2025 DEIS Draft Scope Comment

Dear Mr. Guglielmi:

The Preservation League of New York State submits the following comments in response to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Draft Scope for its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Debar Mountain Complex. The League is New York’s statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization. We frequently partner with our regional colleagues at Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) to support preservation efforts throughout the Adirondack region.

In recent years, we have worked with AARCH and the Debar Pond Institute to support preservation and reuse of Debar Pond Lodge, advocating for passage of a constitutional amendment to remove the remaining historic buildings from the Adirondack Forest Preserve. Today, we continue to support AARCH’s call for a collaborative approach that would reclassify the lodge complex as Historic.

AARCH has extensive experience working collaboratively with the DEC and Town of Newcomb on the stabilization, restoration, and interpretation of Great Camp Santanoni, part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, in Essex County. The League stands ready to support any efforts to explore similar collaborative reuse options.

We respectfully offer the following specific comments in response to the Draft DEIS Scope:

Non-Conforming Structure: New York State has an option to keep Debar Pond Lodge and manage the surrounding land as Wild Forest through the Historic land use classification available in the State Land Master Plan. Places such as Hurricane and St. Regis Mountain fire towers and Great Camp Santanoni remain as conforming structures under this classification. Again, AARCH’s collaborative stewardship of Great Camp Santanoni provides a template for this model.

Significance: As an example of Adirondack camp design, an important work of noted regional architect, William Distin, and due to its direct association with Adirondack tourism in the first half of the twentieth century, Debar Pond Lodge is indeed significant to the history, architecture, and culture of the Adirondack Park. All of these areas of significance are enumerated in the National Register of Historic Places nomination. As such, the Debar Pond Lodge meets the APSLMP definition for Historic areas.

Initial List of Potential Mitigation Measures: The potential mitigation measures listed in the Draft Scope, such as public educational materials and interpretive elements, would do little to mitigate the loss of a significant historic structure that helps tell the unique history of the Adirondack Park and that could serve as an accessible site from which to enjoy Debar Pond’s natural environment.

Potential challenges and benefits of rehabilitation: While the reuse and programming of the lodge would require a significant investment, the demolition and removal of Debar Pond Lodge will cost time and money in DEC resources, with no benefit to the public. Resources could be more economically put towards building repairs. In addition, AARCH—a respected and professional regional preservation organization, with a 35-year history of partnership with the DEC—has expressed readiness to commit to a public/private partnership that could bring significant resources to the table.

The potential benefit to the public of such a partnership would be greater than that of demolition. With proximity to a parking area, the lodge could provide accessible restrooms and public recreation facilities (a stated DEC goal for the site). The lodge would allow the public to explore the intersection of nature and culture in the Adirondacks and would serve as a draw for visitors.

There are few places in the forest preserve where one can experience wilderness in concert with historic architecture on public land. The harmony of historic architecture with an incredibly beautiful natural surrounding serves as a net asset to the people of New York State. Creating beautiful accessible spaces for all people who would like to experience the peacefulness of Debar Pond and incorporating a historic structure built in concert with its surroundings democratizes the space and contributes to creating an Adirondacks for all to enjoy.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment and for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if the Preservation League can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Jay DiLorenzo
President, Preservation League of NYS

Memorandum of Support
A.2816 (Jones), S.3030 (Stec)
Click here to download a PDF of the support memo.

The Preservation League of New York State is the statewide historic preservation nonprofit. We lead advocacy, economic development and education programs across the state. We write in support of Bill A.2816 (Jones) / S.3030 (Stec), which propose amending the New York State Constitution to convey land to Debar Pond Institute in order to save the historic Debar Pond Lodge.

A.2816 / S.3030 propose a land exchange in the Adirondack Park between New York State and Debar Pond Institute (“The Institute”), a private, non-for-profit educational organization. The Institute will operate Debar Pond Lodge and the six-acre parcel on which it sits for educational and recreational purposes. In exchange for the six-acre parcel, The Institute will donate over 400 acres of land to expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve. This land exchange will be accomplished at no cost to New York State taxpayers, and will save the state the cost of demolishing the lodge and redeveloping the property.

A.2816 / S.3030 will allow the historic lodge to be retained and used for public education and recreation. It will also increase the acreage of the Adirondack Forest Preserve by over 400 acres.

Debar Pond Lodge is an outstanding example of traditional Adirondack architecture, designed by noted local architect William Distin. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This legislation will ensure that the historic Lodge and the property on which it sits will be available to the public in perpetuity. As a condition of the land exchange, a conservation easement will be attached to the property which will require that the Lodge and other buildings be well preserved, used in the public interest, and available for public access. Among the public activities the Debar Pond Institute plans to implement are public tours, programming on Adirondack history, culture, and the environment, as well as programs that advance diversity in the Adirondacks. The boundaries of the Debar parcel have been drawn to guarantee continued public access to the shoreline of Debar Pond as well as the hiking trail around Debar Pond and on to Debar Mountain.

We urge the NYS Assembly and Senate to adopt A.2816/S/3030. This bill will help preserve a magnificent example of Adirondack architecture, increase the Adirondack Forest Preserve by over 400 acres, and create an outstanding new opportunity for public use that will provide valuable new opportunities to Adirondack residents and visitors. Thank you to Assemblymember Jones and Senator Stec for their leadership.