Agencies Seek Public Comment on Document to Guide Land Preservation Efforts

Acting State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Bernadette Castro and First Deputy Secretary of State (DOS) Frank Milano today released the 2005 draft State Open Space Conservation Plan for public comment.

"The State's Open Space Conservation Plan has guided the State's aggressive efforts over the past 11 years to protect the remarkable and diverse open space resources of the Empire State," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The 2005 draft continues New York's leadership on open space protection by identifying the priority projects, policies and programs that will enhance our efforts for the future. We are grateful to the many members of the Regional Advisory Committees, local governments, the public and our staffs who contributed countless hours and years of wisdom and conservation knowledge to create this important blue print for our open space future."

"New York's Open Space Plan has provided an important framework for expanding public parklands, preserving critical lands, and creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty and natural resources of the Empire State," Commissioner Castro said. "The 2005 Draft Plan builds upon Governor Pataki's unprecedented commitment to land conservation and open space protection in our communities. We appreciate the hard work of the many partners whose input and expertise have helped us establish new goals and strategies that will benefit all New Yorkers."

"New York's open space protection program recognizes the importance of local government participation in open space planning and protection," First Deputy Secretary of State Milano said. "The 2005 draft Plan focuses on expanding the tools and strategies that help every community in New York protect its open space resources — for water quality protection, for recreation, natural resource protection and economic benefit — exactly what the State's Quality Communities program is working so hard to achieve. This new draft Plan also includes criteria for the development of New York's Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program, funded from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and implemented by the New York Department of State."

As required by law, the State Open Space Conservation Plan is updated every three years. The first State Open Space Plan was adopted in 1992, subsequent versions include the 1995, 1998 and the 2002 Plans. The State is assisted in its development of the Plan by nine regional advisory committees, who are appointed jointly by the State and County governments.

The Plan outlines priority project areas that are eligible for State acquisition funding from the Environmental Protection Fund and other State, federal and local sources. Most of these projects come directly from the deliberations of the Advisory Committees, who are knowledgeable about conservation issues facing their region. Many of the priority project areas have increased in geographic size from previous versions of the Plan in recognition of the broad public support that exists for a comprehensive open space conservation program. The Plan also makes policy and program recommendations to guide the State's Open space protection program for the future, including:

• Incorporating the State's new Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy into the land acquisition and conservation strategies of the Plan;
  
  
• Approving the Community Preservation Act, introduced by Governor Pataki, which would provide local governments with new tools and resources to develop local open space conservation programs to complement State efforts consistent with the State's Quality Communities Program;
  
  
• Including a new generic priority project category that will enable the State to acquire lands adjacent to, or inholdings within, existing State Forests, Unique Areas and Wildlife Management Areas;
  
  
• Enhancing the ability of local governments to carry out local open space conservation programs;
  
  
• Implementing the Erie Canal and Empire State Greenway initiatives outlined by Governor Pataki to encourage the comprehensive development of greenways across New York;
  
  
• Including the federally funded Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP), administered by the Department of State, in the Plan;
  
  
• Expanding the existing Catskill Mountain Forest Legacy area to include the Shawangunk Ridge and creating a new Forest Legacy Area in the Finger Lakes region to allow these areas to compete for funding from the United States Forest Service to conserve forest resources;
  
  
• Opposing efforts to weaken or eliminate tax incentives for the donation of conservation properties to public land management agencies or qualified non-profit conservation organizations;
  
  
• Continuing efforts to identify funding and other resources to provide adequate stewardship of public lands; and
  
  
• Developing new financial incentives to encourage the stewardship of private lands as part of the State's overall Open Space program.

The Plan also describes the many accomplishments that have occurred during the past several years and encourages partnerships among all levels of government, conservation organizations, the public and land owners to continue these efforts in the future.

Public hearings on the draft Plan are scheduled for November 29, 30, and December 1, 2005 across the State. The hearing locations and times are listed below. The public comment period will run through January 18, 2006.

The draft Plan is also posted on DEC's web site at: www.dec.state.ny.us

"We encourage the public to review the Draft Plan and to provide comments, either at the public hearings or through written comments, or through the website," Commissioner Sheehan said. "Public participation is an important element of our Open Space program and helps contribute to the future of New York's wonderful outdoor heritage.

The comment period on the Draft closes at 4:45 p.m., January 18, 2006.

Copies of the Draft Plan and DGEIS are available at DEC and OPRHP regional offices. Copies of written statements and questions concerning the Plan or the DGEIS may be addressed to:

Francis Sheehan
NYS DEC
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4250
(518) 402-9405

OR

Robert Reinhardt
NYS OPRHP
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12238
(518) 474-0415

OR

e-mail:osp2005@gw.dec.state.ny.us