A key problem with the state Adirondack Park Agency is that it has too many powers and too few checks and balances. It is allowed to make many of its own rules, apply those rules in reviewing projects, police and prosecute violations, judge the enforcement cases and carry out its own sentences. This cannot help but lead to frustration, bitterness and noncompliance on the part of the governed. Americans expect segmentation of government duties so different segments can keep each other from getting too high and mighty. The agency should only apply laws passed by elected lawmakers, but under current Chairman Curt Stiles especially, this unelected body has grown much more activist in rulemaking. Two prominent examples are the recent shoreline regulations, which rolled back a grandfather clause on expanding pre-1973 shoreline homes, and the new effort to further regulate boathouses simply by redefining them.