For Immediate Release: October 3, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- October's Adirondack Park Agency meeting will be held on Thursday, October 10th, at headquarters in Ray Brook, and on Friday, October 11th, at the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) in Paul Smiths. This month's full agenda will have Agency Members and Designees considering three new projects, two enforcement cases, taking a tour of the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, unveiling the new Wetland Exhibit at the Paul Smiths Visitor Interpretive Center, dedicating a wildflower garden to Frank M. Hutchins, and receiving four different updates related to Agency business.
On Thursday, October 10th, during the Economic Affairs Committee meeting beginning at 4 p.m., Agency Members will be given a tour of the United States Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Lake Placid as part of a presentation by USOTC Manager Jack Favro. Agency officials will receive a tour of the facility and a presentation on the important role the OTC plays in preparing American athletes for Olympic competition, and the economic impacts of the Center in the North Country.
At 10 a.m. on Friday, October 11th, the Paul Smiths VIC will unveil the new Wetland Exhibit with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Shortly after the grand opening of the new exhibit, Agency members and staff will dedicate the wildflower garden at the VIC to Frank M. Hutchins, founding member and past chairman of the Adirondack Park Institute (API).
"Of the many partnerships this agency has embarked upon, the API is one of the most valuable," said Agency Chairman Richard Lefebvre. "Mr. Hutchins has laid the foundation for many of the VIC's programs and we want to thank him in a way that will serve as a constant and future reminder of what a great friend Mr. Hutchins has been to us."
Regulatory Programs Committee Members will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, in Ray Brook, to discuss three new projects: the construction of a water tank in the Village of Lake George, Warren County, a new commercial use (self-storage business) in the Town of Fort Ann, Washington County, and a three-lot subdivision in the towns of Long Lake (Hamilton County) and Piercefield (St. Lawrence County). Members will also review staff's request for delegation of authority to issue a permit for a 97-unit hotel in Lake George, Warren County, after the public comment period expires on October 17, 2002.
One of the updates Agency Members will receive is on the Northway call box replacement project, and the draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Assessment which has been completed and accepted by the New York State Department of Transportation, (NYSDOT) Region 1. Three public hearings have been recently held by the New York State Police and the NYSDOT. Although the Agency has not received an application for this project to date, it has been working with the State Police and the DOT and expect the application soon. The update will be given at 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Agency members will also receive an update from Agency Enforcement staff at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on the recent conclusion of public hearings held throughout the state. Hearings were held in Albany, Rochester, Old Forge, North Creek, and Saranac Lake where the public was asked to consider the draft changes proposed to the Agency's enforcement regulations.
Two cases are scheduled to go before the Enforcement Committee on Thursday, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. A greater-than-25-percent expansion in the Town of Webb, in Herkimer County, and a new commercial use without Agency approval in the Town of Saranac, in Clinton County.
The third update Agency members will receive will be on Friday, at 8:30 a.m. at the Paul Smiths VIC. Andy Flynn, Senior Information Specialist for the Adirondack Park VICs in Paul Smiths and Newcomb will discuss ongoing outreach efforts and partnership initiatives. Prior to the update, Paul Smiths VIC Facilities Manager, Mike Brennan, will give an overview of the Center's fall programs and discuss the winter programs.
Before the full Agency on Friday, 10:30 a.m. at the Paul Smiths VIC, Dr. Chad Dawson, of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry will present an update on the public use data strategy, which also includes elements of the Bog River Unit Management Plan.
The meeting is scheduled to adjourn at noon on Friday at the Paul Smiths VIC. The next Agency meeting will be held November 14 -15, 2002, at the headquarters in Ray Brook. Please call Victoria Hristovski at (518) 891-4050, ext. 173 for more information, or visit our Web site at www.northnet.org/adirondackparkagency/