For Immediate Release: July 2, 2015
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Information Officer | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Ray Brook, NY - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) approved two general permits to advance New York State's goal to combat invasive species in the Adirondack Park. The general permits will assure qualified invasive species management organizations have the ability to respond quickly to invasive species infestations.
General Permits 2015G-1 and 2014G-1A authorize a rapid response to both aquatic and terrestrial invasive species throughout the Adirondack Park by qualified and trained persons. These general permits approve eradication efforts both on a park-wide scale as well as for individual waterbodies or specific locations.
APA Chairwoman Lani Ulrich said, "Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the Adirondack Park Agency continues to streamline our permitting process to ensure we effectively respond to the threat of invasive species. These general permits will enable those on the front line to respond immediately to new infestations. Fast action by qualified personnel is critical to combat aggressive invasive species."
"The Adirondack Park's natural resources are vital to the regional economy and quality of life, and these permits will allow swift and decisive action to protect water bodies and forests from invasive species," State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens said. "An effective strategy to combat invasive species in the Adirondacks requires a multi-agency response, as well as awareness and assistance from stakeholders and the public, and DEC will continue to collaborate with numerous partners on strategies to combat invasives."
General Permit 2014G-1A authorizes the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, and the Regional Inlet Invasive Plant Program to conduct management of terrestrial invasive plant species without the need to seek a permit from the APA for each specific project. In addition, this permit allows the APA Deputy Director for Regulatory Programs to certify new users once trained and determined to be qualified.
The Best Management Practices published by the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program at http://www.adkinvasives.com/ or the Inter-Agency Guidelines for Implementing Best Management Practices for the Control of Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species on Forest Preserve Lands in the Adirondack Park will be strictly followed to maximize eradication efforts while minimizing impacts to native species. Brendan Quirion, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) coordinator said, "These new general permits will help advance APIPPs mission to protect the Adirondack region from the negative impacts of invasive species. The ability to react quickly to newly discovered outbreaks increases the likelihood of successful eradication. We truly appreciate the APA's efforts to work with its partners to establish permitting processes that ensure effective action with appropriate safeguards to protect native species, the Adirondack's economy, and public health."
General Permit 2015G-1 authorizes the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake George Park Commission, Hudson River Black River Regulating District, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP), qualified lake associations/organizations, local municipalities, certified lake managers, and experienced lake managers approved by the APA to use benthic barriers and hand harvesting techniques to control aquatic invasive species. Under the aquatic invasive general permit these organizations will be able to deploy quickly benthic barriers and use hand-harvesting management techniques to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species.
As part of the General Permit conditions, each authorized entity will be required to submit annual reports to the APA documenting their activity.
Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy or to human health. They are one of the greatest threats to New York State's biodiversity. Invasives cause or contribute to habitat degradation, loss of native fish, wildlife and plant species and the loss of recreational opportunities and related tourism income.
The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program's "The Actual and Potential Economic Impact of Invasive Species on the Adirondack Park: A Preliminary Assessment" determined that the spread of just eight high risk invasive species, including four aquatic invasive species, could result in an annual loss of $48 to $53 million to the tourism, agriculture, and forestry sectors in the Adirondack Park. In addition, the study indicated that long-term losses of $420 to $840 million to lake shore property values were highly possible. For more information on this study please use http://adkinvasives.com/brochures-and-more/.
APA General Permit 2015G-1 and 2014G-1A and related documents are available on the Agency's website at http://apa.ny.gov/Forms/index.cfm.
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.
-30-