The Adirondack Council has approved the selection of James T. Townsend of Rochester and North River to be the chief counsel of the Adirondack Park Agency.

Mr. Townsend replaces John Banta, who retired in April.

Mr. Townsend was an APA commissioner from 1999 until 2010. He was instrumental in the decision to remove seaplanes from Lows Lake, which is in St. Lawrence and Hamilton counties, and in designating the bed and waters of Lows Lake as wilderness.

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