The construction of a World Cup downhill bike track on Whiteface Mountain faced scrutiny as the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) moved forward without necessary approvals, leading to several environmental violations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) highlighted that in creating the course for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, ORDA not only violated stormwater discharge permits but also illegally removed at least 32 trees, expanding pathways beyond initially proposed plans.
Joseph M. Zalewski, the DEC’s regional director, emphasized that any development on the forest preserve must abide by the state constitution’s “forever wild” clause, meant to protect forest lands from being altered or disturbed. Even though the track was completed by September 12, DEC is permitting its use for upcoming competitions on the condition that ORDA implements a documented restoration plan and meets several other compliance conditions.
ORDA’s CEO, Ashley Walden, acknowledged procedural lapses and communication failures during the project’s execution. She indicated that while some internal processes fell short, discussions on restoring the land are already underway with DEC. ORDA plans to fill the vacant position of their environmental compliance coordinator, a role vital for ensuring adherence to environmental regulations.
Environmental advocates, like Claudia Braymer from Protect the Adirondacks, express concern over the unauthorized work, citing damage to natural resources and the constitutional protections intended to safeguard the preserve. They call for transparency through a published restoration plan and a period for public comment.
This situation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing sports development with environmental conservation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. Looking forward, adherence to regulatory protocols and improved communication channels will be essential to prevent such oversights in future projects.