Lewis County Council adds miles to OHV trail system and opposes New York HE Act

The Legislative Committee Meeting for Lewis County, New York, held on April 16, 2025, addressed several key issues impacting the community, including energy policy, environmental assessments, and local laws regarding off-highway vehicle (OHV) operations.

The meeting commenced with a resolution urging Governor Kathy Hochul to oppose the New York HE Act during the 2025 budget process. Committee members emphasized the need for a diverse energy portfolio, highlighting concerns about the gradual phase-out of natural gas and the potential reliance on renewable energy sources. The resolution passed unanimously.

Following this, the committee declared no significant environmental impact from the State Environmental Quality Review Act regarding the proposed addition of approximately 3.2 miles of county property, along with Robert and Jacqueline Aden's property, to the Lewis County OHV trail system. This addition was also approved without opposition.

The committee continued to address further expansions of the OHV trail system, approving the addition of approximately 678 feet of property owned by Lynette Franks, Scott Lamson, Louise Junior, and Connie Gorsica. Each proposal was met with unanimous support.

Subsequently, the committee adopted several local laws permitting OHV operations on various county roads in the town of Martinsburg. These included:
- Local Law No. 1-2025, allowing OHV operation on 0.1 miles of Cemetery Road and Mill Street.
- Local Law No. 2-2025, permitting OHV operation on approximately 5 miles of Glendale Road.
- Local Law No. 3-2025, allowing OHV operation on 0.3 miles of Glenfield Road.
- Local Law No. 4-2025, permitting OHV operation on 1.1 miles of Main Street and Blue Street.

All local laws were passed with unanimous consent, reflecting strong support for enhancing the OHV trail system.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters, followed by a reminder for committee members to review attached reports. The session was adjourned after confirming the approval of the previous meeting's minutes.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the committee's commitment to balancing energy policy with environmental considerations and promoting recreational opportunities through the expansion of the OHV trail system.