Details on NYS Proposal 1 – 2025 Ballot

Topic: Olympic Sports Complex Land Swap (Essex County)

What it does:

Lets the state keep and update Nordic ski and biathlon trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg in the Adirondack Forest Preserve. In exchange, 2,500 acres of new land would be added to the preserve.

Supporters say:

It fixes old constitutional violations, protects more land overall, and bans future tourist or commercial development on the site.

Opponents say:

It weakens “forever wild” protections, sets a precedent for exceptions, and shifts responsibility for past mistakes to taxpayers.

A “Yes” vote allows the swap and keeps the complex.

A “No” vote keeps current protections and halts the change.

More info on the Albany reddit.

Most are for the amendment as the complex is already in place and offsets the land used by more than two. The non-profit Protect the Adirondacks recommends voting in favor of the amendment:

Therefore, we support the Constitutional Amendment for the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex similar to those in effect for Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre Mountain. Such an amendment would create clear lines for future administration while providing a measure of flexibility for future growth. The current expansion of the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex, and the vast amount of state spending there, demand that action be taken to bring this facility into compliance with the Forever Wild clause. At this point, the only way to accomplish this is to pass an amendment.