For Immediate Release: May 15, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- A recap of President George W. Bush’s visit to the Adirondacks on Earth Day kicked off this month’s Adirondack Park Agency meeting in Ray Brook. In addition, two outstanding Americorps Volunteers were saluted at this month’s meeting and an outline of strategic planning for the Visitor Interpretive Centers by Mike Brennan were also highlighted.
On Thursday, May 9th, Town of Wilmington Supervisor Jeanne Ashworth and Lake Placid High School student Katie Chilson shared their experiences of the President’s visit with the Adirondack Park Agency Board Members, Designees, and guests.
"Having President Bush visit the Adirondacks was exciting enough," Ashworth said. "Having him visit Wilmington was beyond my wildest imagination. We were very honored to host the President, we also know that anywhere else he may have picked in the Adirondacks would have provided just as beautiful of a backdrop as Wilmington."
Lake Placid High School Junior Katie Chilson talked briefly about her encounter with the President and how she came to get her picture taken with him.
"There was a group of us all wearing hockey jerseys that day in hopes we could get our picture taken with the President," Chilson said.
She said that for security reasons, it became obvious they were not going to get their pictures taken as a group so they split up and that’s when she was able to approach the president for a picture.
"I saw him heading in my direction so I elbowed my way to the front of the line," Chilson said. "I think I probably elbowed some very important people out of the way to get there!"
APA Chairman Richard Lefebvre reflected on his visit with President Bush where he and his wife, Gay Lefebvre, presented the President with a piece of artwork crafted by Mrs. Lefebvre. APA’s Director of Public Information, Victoria Hristovski, recapped the visit with a photo slide show.
Regulatory Programs Committee members met on Thursday to review and discuss two general permits, three new projects, and a second renewal request. One of the two general permits (2002G-2) was approved which allows the management of terrestrial invasive plant species in, or within, 100 feet of Wetlands in the Adirondack Park. The second general permit, 2002G-3, was approved to proceed to public notice by the Board. The 2002G-3 general permit is for certain minor regulated activities involving or affecting jurisdictional Wetlands in the Adirondack Park.
The three projects approved at this month’s meeting were: The placement of three telecommunications antennae on the 120-meter ski jump tower in the Town of North Elba, Essex County; The removal of a dam structure in the Town of Ohio, in Herkimer County; and a shoreline setback variance (construction of pedestrian bridges over Saranac River and elevated boardwalk parallel to river) in Saranac Lake, Franklin County. Also approved this month, a second renewal request for the Town of Keene (Essex County) for the temporary continuation of fee parking and shuttle bus service for one-year.
An update of the new regulatory revisions was given during the Legal Affairs Committee meeting on Thursday afternoon. APA staff are pushing ahead with the next round of regulatory and enforcement revisions and public meetings for these will be announced shortly.
Sarah Auer and Melissa Patterson, members of the Student Conservation Association and volunteers for the Adirondack Americorps Program, were saluted on Friday for their contributions to the Adirondack Park Agency and its Division of Interpretive Programs. Both volunteers worked tirelessly in partnership with Visitors Interpretive Center staff and willingly took on, and completed, any assignments they were given, including work on trail systems, buildings, and tracking programs. They were key program presenters for the "Snow Patrol" program for school groups. Agency Members, Designees and staff expressed their appreciation for their outstanding work for the Agency.
A strategic planning effort was outlined at Friday’s Agency meeting by Visitor Interpretive Centers (VICs) Environmental Educator and interim facilities manager Mike Brennan. Interpretive Program Committee Members and Brennan discussed how to meet the program, planning, and staffing needs of both VIC facilities while continuing to carry out the mission of educating visitors to the Adirondack Park. An updated report will be given by Brennan again at the July Agency meeting.
The next Adirondack Park Agency meeting will be held June 13th and 14th at the headquarters in Ray Brook.
For more information, please call (518) 891-4050 and ask for Victoria Hristovski.