Two Upstate NY Congressmen Endorse Adirondack Propositions 4 and 5

THE ADIRONDACKS, NY (10/29/2013)(readMedia)-- THE ADIRONDACKS - Two New York Congressmen, a Democrat and a Republican, have urged their constituents to support the two Adirondack constitutional amendments on Tuesday's General Election ballot.

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

"The Adirondack Region is my home, and I care very deeply about protecting the environment and the economy for all of us who live here," said Rep. Owens. "Propositions 4 and 5 offer the opportunity to expand our state Forest Preserve at no cost to taxpayers, while protecting much-needed jobs and improving the quality of life for families, businesses and community organizations. A Yes vote for Propositions 4 and 5 is a Yes vote for the Adirondacks."

"The Adirondack Park is an incredible natural wonder enjoyed by people from around the globe, and made all the more special by the hardworking families who live and work there and protect the Adirondacks every day of the year," Rep. Gibson said. "Propositions 4 and 5 benefit both the people and the places of the Adirondacks and both deserve our support on Election Day."

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