For Immediate Release: March 5, 2014
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is seeking public comment on proposed general permit 2014-G1 entitled "Management of Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species In or Within 100 Feet of Wetlands in the Adirondack Park." The draft general permit updates and replaces existing practices allowed under General Permit P2003G-1R. The draft general permit would expedite APA approval for qualifying activities. The APA will accept public comments until March 28, 2014. The General Permit 2014-G1 application and APA Board Resolution and Order are available for download from the Agency's website www.apa.ny.gov.
NOTICE OF PROPOSED GENERAL PERMIT 2014G-1
DESCRIPTION
The Adirondack Park Agency is proposing General Permit 2014G-1 to authorize the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), and the Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program (RIIPP) to undertake activities related to the management of terrestrial invasive plant species in or within 100 feet of wetlands in the Adirondack Park. Such activities include the use of herbicide. The general permit will only apply where:
- The sole basis of Agency jurisdiction on the project site is a "regulated activity" incidental to the management of terrestrial invasive plant species in wetlands; and
- The regulated activity is undertaken by the DOT, DEC, APIPP, or RIIPP.
This General Permit will contain conditions to ensure that the management of invasive species will not adversely impact wetlands.
General Permit 2014G-1 will apply throughout the Adirondack Park and will be effective for three years unless revoked or modified by the Agency.
JURISDICTION
Pursuant to Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law (the Freshwater Wetlands Act), Executive Law §§ 809(2)(a) and 810(1) (the Adirondack Park Agency Act), and 9 NYCRR §§ 570.2, 578.2(a), and 578.3(n)(1) and (2), within the Adirondack Park, any form of dredging, excavation, removal of soil, peat, mud, or sand, any form of pollution, or any other activity which substantially impairs the functions served by or the benefits derived from freshwater wetlands is a "regulated activity" requiring a permit from the Agency (Sections 809(2)(a) and 810(1) of the Adirondack Park Agency Act do not apply to activities undertaken by the DOT or DEC).
PROJECT IMPACTS
Agency staff have determined that all activities authorized under this General Permit and undertaken as authorized:
- will meet the criteria for approval established in Executive Law § 809; and
- will secure the natural benefits of wetlands consistent with the general welfare and beneficial economic, social, and agricultural development of the state.
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT
Approval of a General Permit by the Agency is a SEQRA, Type 1 action. A negative declaration and Full Environmental Assessment Form has been prepared by the Agency and is on file at its offices in Ray Brook, New York.
AGENCY AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
All persons and agencies are invited to comment on this proposed General Permit in writing or email no later than March 28, 2014.
Please submit written comments to:
Richard E. Weber III, Deputy Director, Regulatory Programs, Adirondack Park Agency, PO Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977, aparegpr@gw.dec.state.ny.us
If there is significant concern or opposition to this General Permit, a public hearing may be required.
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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