For Immediate Release: September 21, 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) is seeking public comment on a general permit to help advance New York State's goal to combat invasive species in the Adirondack Park. The general permit will further streamline and expedite the Park Agency's review process. This will ensure qualified invasive species management organizations have options to quickly respond to invasive species infestations. Public comments will be accepted through November 3, 2015.
APA Chairwoman Lani Ulrich, said, "This general permit will expand the use of proven management techniques to combat larger scale infestations of invasive species. The APA continues to streamline our review process to advance Governor Cuomo's directive to safe guard Adirondack waterbodies from the negative impacts of invasive species."
General Permit 2015G-2 - Management of Aquatic Invasive Species Using Benthic Barriers and Hand Harvesting Techniques - will authorize the management of aquatic invasive species throughout the Adirondack Park by qualified individuals or entities. Under the general permit, the APA would have the discretion to: (1) add new aquatic invasive species to the list of such species in the general permit; (2) authorize certain qualified users of the general permit; and (3) allow more than three acres to be treated by benthic barriers in any one treatment area. This discretion would be exercised based on facts provided by applicants and based on a recommendation from the AgencyPAs Resource Analysis and Scientific Services Supervisor.
Two types of users are expected to use the proposed general permit. Entities such as the Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake George Park Commission, Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, qualified lake associations and local municipalities will use the general permit to manage aquatic invasive species. In addition, individuals such as certified lake managers and experienced lake managers, subject to approval by the APAs Deputy Director for- Regulatory Programs , will use the general permit.
APA, as lead agency for State Environmental Quality Review purposes, has determined that the proposed general permit will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. The permit contains findings of fact, conclusions of law and conditions to ensure compliance with applicable statutory criteria.
The proposed general permit and related documents are available on the Agency's website at www.apa.ny.gov.
The Adirondack Park Agency will accept public comment on this matter until November 3, 2015.
Please direct comments to:
Richard Weber
Deputy Director Regulatory Programs
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977
Email: PublicComment@apa.ny.gov
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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