For Immediate Release: August 13, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- As the Adirondack Park Agency continues to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of its many partners and dedicated staff, this month the Agency also said goodbye to a good friend of the North Country.
On Thursday, August 8th, Adirondack Park Agency Members, Designees, staff and attending public observed a moment of silence to quietly reflect on the life and contributions of Richard W. Sage Jr., who passed away two days prior to the meeting. He was 58 years old.
"Mr. Sage was a phenomenal teacher, naturalist, and friend," APA Chairman Richard H. Lefebvre said. "He was always willing to share his knowledge and time with anyone who requested it, and he approached and accomplished every task with a remarkable candor. He will be missed by all of us here at the Agency, and throughout the Adirondack Community."
Mr. Sage worked as the Associate Director of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry's Adirondack Ecological Center in Newcomb where he often led programs and lectures at the Adirondack Park Visitors Interpretive Center there.
"His contributions to the Adirondack Park and the Newcomb VIC are immeasurable," APA Executive Director Daniel T. Fitts said. "He had a way of explaining the most difficult issues with ease so that anyone could understand them. It was a gift he shared over and over again and we are deeply saddened by the loss of our good friend."
After the Agency paid its respects to Mr. Sage, they turned their attention to two longtime staff members who are retiring this month. William Curran, Director of Regulatory Programs, and Gary Duprey, Environmental Programs Specialist, have been with the Agency since 1973. A resolution was read into the record for each of the men and they both received standing ovations as they went before the Board to collect their certificates.
"The retirement of these two men indeed indicate the end of an era here," Mr. Lefebvre said. "We have a total of six fixtures of this Agency retiring this year who leave with over 100 years of knowledge among them. We have been lucky to have them in our midst all these years and wish them all the best of luck."
Mr. Curran and Mr. Duprey were also recognized by members of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) who made a special presentation in appreciation of the decades of partnership and service the duo has provided. DOT Regional Director Carey Babyak and DOT Regional Environmental Coordinator John Falge presented Mr. Curran and Mr. Duprey with an award commemorating the collaborative efforts over the years involving projects in the Adirondack Park.
"Today we not only say goodbye to two co-workers, we say goodbye to two good friends," said Mr. Babyak. "We wish them nothing but the best in their retirements and in all of their endeavors."
Aside from recognizing dear friends and staff members, Adirondack Park Agency Members and Designees reviewed two new projects, two enforcement cases, the final unit management plan for the Scaroon Manor Public Campground, and received two special presentations.
A project request for an eight-lot subdivision in the Town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County, was directed to public hearing at this month's Agency meeting, and another project involving a seven-lot subdivision in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County, was approved.
The final Unit Management Plan for Scaroon Manor Public Campground was unanimously approved on Friday, August 9. And on Thursday, August 8, the State Lands Team at the Agency, who worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on the Scaroon Plan, made a special presentation on the importance of gathering user data in the Adirondacks. The presentation focused on assessing the capacity of the Park's resources to withstand use, and the various methods that are being implemented to gather visitation data. Highlighted methods of data collecting were "Summit Stewards" who click portable counters when they encounter hikers; trail registrations at trail heads implemented and maintained by the DEC; infrared trail counters that detect those passing by, and angler surveys conducted by Cornell University on nine private lakes in the Adirondacks.
"It is important to gather and monitor this data to assess, and recognize, the types of impacts on the resources. It is also very important to evaluate the severity, prevalence and extent of these impacts," State Land Planning Project Assistant Walt Linck said.
During the Economic Affairs Committee meeting on Friday, Committee members and Board members were given a tour of the newly constructed Joan Weill Adirondack Library at the Paul Smith's College Campus. Dr. George Miller, President of the College, greeted the Agency and received a Certificate of Appreciation for their generosity in allowing the Agency to meet in the Adirondack Room of the library, and for the gracious tour and use of the facilities.
The Adirondack Park Agency will meet again on September 12th and 13th in Old Forge at the Water's Edge Inn & Conference Center. For more information, please call Victoria Hristovski at (518) 891-4050 ext. 173.