For Immediate Release: May 30, 2008
Contact:
Keith P. McKeever | Public Relations | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK, NY – The Adirondack Park Agency announces publication of its 2007 Annual Report and will utilize its website for distribution.
The Agency is pleased to provide the 2007 Annual Report. It represents another year of Agency commitment and dedication to the Adirondack Park’s people, communities and natural resources. The Annual Report describes the Agency’s program accomplishments and efforts for balancing natural resource protection with smart growth principals.
The Agency experienced a year of transition in 2007 with the retirement of veteran staff members and the creation of five positions under the Governor’s initiative to increase resources for enforcement programs. Three positions were assigned to Enforcement and two added to Regulatory Programs.
During 2007, the Regulatory Programs Division received 414 project applications and issued 345 permits. The Jurisdictional Inquiry Office wrote 1,101 jurisdictional determinations, handled over 6,000 phone calls and processed 167 Freedom of Information requests.
The Enforcement Division continued to focus on environmentally significant violations opening 243 new cases and resolved 406 cases by year’s end.
The Agency’s Scientific Services staff delineated 333 wetlands, conducted 152 soil test pits and performed 260 site visits. Staff implemented a new project compliance monitoring program with the dual goals of improved wetlands conservation and permit violation avoidance.
Economic Services staff focused on further diversification of the Park’s economy and provided support to the Department of Economic Development’s “Regional Blueprint” planning sessions.
The Town of Johnsburg was the 18th local government to prepare an Agency Approved Local Land Use Program, highlighting a very busy year for the Agency’s Planning Division.
State Land staff conducted numerous field visits and consultations in conjunction with ongoing unit management plan development. Staff played a key role in proposals developed to restructure military airspace over the Park and spent significant time researching and mapping historic snowmobile trial mileage.
The Agency’s Visitor Interpretive Centers at Paul Smiths and Newcomb continue to see increased visitation. VIC staff launched a new website in 2007 and with help from DEC crews, a new connector trail was finished linking the Newcomb VIC to the Great Santanoni Camp.
This year the Agency will provide the Annual Report as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file. The file is available for download from the Park Agency’s website at www.apa.state.ny.us. Acrobat Reader or another PDF compatible software is required to open the report. A free utility is available from the Agency’s website at www.apa.state.ny.us/Forms/Form_Help.html.