For Immediate Release: August 5, 2013
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at its Headquarters in Ray Brook, NY on Thursday, August 8 and Friday August 9, 2013. Please use www.apa.ny.gov and click Webcasting from the Contents List to watch the meeting. Please note this months meeting will begin at 8:30 AM on August 8.
The Full Agency will come to order at 8:30AM. Chairwoman Ulrich will introduce new Board Members Karen Feldman and Daniel Wilt. The Chairwoman will also consider Committee Chair assignments. Executive Director Terry Martino will then present her monthly report to the Board.
At 9:15, the State Land Committee will begin deliberations on the 2013 State Land classification package which includes former Finch lands recently acquired by the State from the Nature Conservancy. These new State Lands are located in the Towns of Minerva and Newcomb, (Essex County) and Indian Lake, Hamilton County. The parcels involved in this round of classifications are the Essex Chain Lakes, Indian River and OK Slip Falls.
At this time, staff will provide an informational overview of the key issues raised during the public comment period that included eight hearings held across the state. The meeting will allow for staff to express their appreciation to the public for the extensive public involvement in the development of the public record and engage with the Board. The Agency Board will not take any action on the classification package during the August Agency meeting. Agency staff have not prepared a preferred recommendation for this meeting.
The State Land Committee will review State Land Master Plan classification criteria, classification alternatives presented during public hearings and public and written comments received. The Committee will also be briefed on recreational opportunities including snowmobile community connector trails.
At 10:45, Agency staff will provide background presentations on general issues presented during the public comment period. The State Land Committee will hear presentations on general natural resource considerations and existing road infrastructure. This will be followed by Board discussion and a questions and answers session.
At 1:00, the Committee will discuss biological considerations including the Essex Chain and Hudson River fisheries, rare species and natural communities and wetlands. The Committee will also review social and economic issues which include existing buildings, existing infrastructure, and reserved rights and easements on the Essex Chain and OK Slip Falls parcels.
The Thursday agenda will conclude with Board discussion and a questions and answers session.
On Friday August 9, 2013 at 9:00AM the Regulatory Programs Committee will come to order for informational presentations on an emergency road repair project that is ongoing along New York State Route 73 and road construction on New York State Route 28N.
At 9:45, the State Land Committee will reconvene to discuss the next steps involved in the classification process to develop the Final Environmental Impact Statement. This will include: response to public comments, revisions to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement with updated information, and consultation with DEC on classification recommendations in preparation for a staff presentation to the Board in September.
At 10:45, the Economic Affairs Committee will convene for a presentation on the J & L Steel Site. Town of Fine Supervisor Mark Hall, NYS DEC Region 6 Director Judy Drabicki, and Carrie Tuttle the Director of Engineering for the Development Authority of the North Country will discuss the remediation of the J & L Steel site in the Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County.
At 11:45, the Full Agency will assemble for committee reports, Local Government Review Board comment, public and member comment. No action will be taken on the 2013 State Land Classification package.
Meeting materials are available for download from the Agencys website at: http://apa.ny.gov/Mailing/2013/08/index.htm
The meeting facility is wheelchair accessible. Please provide any requests for specific accommodations to Keith P. McKeever at 518-891-4050.
The September Agency Meeting is scheduled for September 12-13, 2013 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters in Ray Brook, New York.
October Agency Meeting: October 10-11, 2013 at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters. The mission of the Adirondack Park Agency is to protect the public and private resources of the Adirondack Park through the exercise of the powers and duties of the Agency as provided by law. For more information, call the APA at (518) 891-4050 or visit www.apa.ny.gov.
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