Voters' Approval of Proposition 5 Good for Jobs, Good for the Forest Preserve, Good for New York

THE ADIRONDACKS, NY (11/06/2013)(readMedia)-- Statement from NYCO Minerals, Inc.

The passage of Proposition 5 is a win-win for everyone who loves the Adirondacks and those of us who make our homes and livelihoods here. This vote will help NYCO Minerals, Inc. protect 100 jobs, and permit expansion of the Adirondack Forest Preserve by 1,500 acres of forestland rich in hiking and fishing opportunities.

We were fortunate to have unprecedented statewide support from environmental groups, labor unions, local governments, business organizations, elected officials, and, of course, NYCO's employees and friends. We're thrilled that the broad, bipartisan enthusiasm for Proposition 5 was shared by the voters at large.

We especially want to thank Gov. Andrew Cuomo, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens, Sens. Betty Little and Hugh Farley, former Assembly Member Teresa Sayward, Assembly Members Dan Stec, Marc Butler and Janet Duprey, former Gov. George E. Pataki, the United Steelworkers, the New York AFL-CIO, the United Association, the Adirondack Council, the Adirondack Mountain Club, The New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York State Association of Counties, Garry Douglas and the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Randy Douglas and the Essex County Board of Supervisors, and Chairman Bill Farber and the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors.

We also thank Congressmen Bill Owens and Chris Gibson, Supervisor Ed Hatch and the Willsboro Town Board, Supervisor Dave Blades and the Lewis Town Board, Supervisor Clark Seaman and the Long Lake Town Board, Supervisor Fred Monroe of the Town of Chester, the Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages, the Adirondack Landowners' Association, The Business Council of New York State, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, Unshackle Upstate, the Economic Development Corporation of Warren County, the New York State Snowmobile Association, the New York State Conservative Party, Adirondack photographer Carl Heilman, former DEC Commissioner John Cahill, former DEC and APA Commissioner Bob Flacke, former APA Chairman Dr. Ross Whaley and former APA Commissioner Peter Paine.

With the voters' approval in hand, NYCO looks forward to working with DEC and our local officials to move forward with this transaction, adding another 8-10 years of life to our Adirondack operations and jobs, and conveying 1,500 acres of spectacular recreational lands to the Adirondack Forest Preserve for the enjoyment of people across the state.