Former DEC and APA Leaders Endorse Adirondack Propositions 4 and 5

THE ADIRONDACKS (10/30/2013)(readMedia)-- Four former leaders of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Adirondack Park Agency are urging voters to support the two Adirondack constitutional amendments on Tuesday's General Election ballot.

These leaders are:

• Robert F. Flacke, who served as APA Chairman in 1975 and as DEC Commissioner under Gov. Hugh Carey from 1979-1982;

• John P. Cahill, who served as DEC Commissioner under Gov. George Pataki from 1997-2001;

• Dr. Ross S. Whaley, who served as APA Chairman from 2003-2007, and as president of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry from 1984-1999; and

• Peter S. Paine Jr., who served as a member of the Temporary Study Commission on the Future of the Adirondacks, which in 1970 recommended the formation of the APA; and then served as an APA Commissioner from 1971-1995.

These gentlemen join former New York Gov. George Pataki, U.S. Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh), U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook), The New York League of Conservation Voters and a host of state and local groups and individuals supporting Propositions 4 and 5.

Proposition 4 would allow the Legislature to settle the 100-year-old problem of disputed property titles in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. Since the 1800s, the titles to 216 parcels, including the school, the firehouse, businesses, homes and other properties have been disputed. Proposition 4 would permit the state to clear these titles in exchange for funding to purchase lands that the state has long wanted to add to the Adirondack Forest Preserve for public recreation. The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to recommend that the state acquire the historic Marion River Carry, acreage along the Marion River, the Utowana Lake shore, and a canoe portage that connects Raquette with Utowana and Blue Mountain. These lands would be forever protected at no cost to taxpayers.

Proposition 5 offers the opportunity to expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve by 1,500 acres and protect 100 Adirondack jobs. The proposition would authorize the Legislature to give an Adirondack mining company temporary access to the 200 acres of state Forest Preserve that immediately adjoin its existing mine. In exchange, the company, NYCO Minerals Inc., would provide the state with funding to purchase 1,500 acres of forests with mountains, streams and excellent fishing opportunities, expanding public access to the Jay and Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Areas near Lake Placid and protecting wildlife habitat. NYCO would return the 200 acres to the Forest Preserve once its project is completed. Allowing NYCO to continue to work on its site will protect rural jobs that support schools, churches, fire departments and small businesses.

For More Information:

William Farber

518-548-6651

Randall Douglas

518-647-2204

www.voteyesfortheadirondacks.com

Twitter: @AdirondacksYes