Several environmentalist groups have also been hesitant to support a mediation process.

The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks issued a statement this week demanding full disclosure of project specifications and updates.

"Dozens of potential parties to this public hearing have been waiting since April for (developer) Mr. (Michael) Foxman and his consultants to respond to the ALJ's order and submit the most basic kinds of project information, such as when he will apply for up to five permits from the Department of Environmental Conservation, each of which seek to protect public and environmental health," said Dan Plumley, the association's director of park protection.

"Nobody can know what the hearing will cover until he submits the requested information."

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Plumley said his group was "very skeptical" of mediation at this stage.

"The issues APA raised are significant, and we need to know what this project is in order to mediate."

Plumley called the move to mediation "superficial."

"The hearing process itself is extensive and requires a lot of time for a large number of parties. Let's get to those real issues that require factual determination, not foggy questions about mediation without any definition.

"Neither Tupper Lake nor any of the parties benefit from a 3 Card Monty' type process."

kdedam@pressrepublican.com