For Immediate Release: December 7, 2000
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK -The Adirondack Park Agency will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, December 14th and Friday, December 15th, at the Agency’s headquarters in Ray Brook. The Agency will convene at 9 a.m. on Thursday to begin consideration of a wide variety of issues of importance to the Adirondack Park. These will include a special update on Empire State Development’s programs affecting the Adirondack region, discussion of an updated telecommunications towers policy, a briefing on a submerged aquatic plant program initiative and discussion of Lake George Park Commission activities in the Lake George basin.
On Thursday morning, following introductions by Chairman Richard Lefebvre, Gregory Caito, Empire State Development’s (ESD) North Country Regional Director, will update Agency members and the public on a series of new economic development initiatives which hold promise for improving the economy of the Adirondack region. These include encouraging economic opportunities based on communications technologies. ESD Chairman Charles Gargano, and Mr. Caito, have been providing strong leadership in building a sustainable economy while protecting the Park’s environmental quality. Mr. Caito also serves as Chairman Gargano’s designee on the APA Board. Following Mr. Caito’s presentation, Agency Chairman Richard Lefebvre will introduce two new staff members to the Agency, Attorney Paul Van Cott and Environmental Program Specialist Trainee, Doug Hamernik. Paul Van Cott will be an enforcement coordinator overseeing the revision of policies, procedures and remedies, and Doug Hamernik is working to help get permits finalized in a more timely fashion. Mike Storey, Naturalist as Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center, will be formally recognized for his production of the annual report over the past several years and his long-term service to the Agency. Executive Director Fitts will also provide his monthly report to the Agency.
The Agency’s Administration Committee is scheduled to meet at 9:15 a.m. to discuss a number of topics related to the Agency’s continuing effort to provide clear information on a range on policy issues that affect the Park, its residents, and the public. The Committee will review and discuss a draft proposal for a system to better define and organize Agency policy, procedures and guidance documents. It will also discuss an ongoing project to redesign the Agency’s Web site. Members will also discuss progress in updating the Agency’s policy on telecommunication towers in the Adirondack Park.
Agency staff member Ray Curran, along with a member of the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, will hold a discussion of the Submerged Aquatic Plant Program Initiative for the Park Ecology Committee on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday morning, various policy issues related to the Lake George Basin will be featured before the Park Policy and Planning Committee.
The Agency will welcome the recently appointed Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission, Dr. Mark C. Johnson. The Agency and the Commission have mutual responsibilities relating to storm water management and other environmental protection measures in this portion of the Adirondack Park. Commission Executive Director Michael White will provide an update on these programs.
"Lake George -- Planning for the Future," an update of the 1987 Plan for the Future of the Lake George Park, will be the subject of a presentation by David Decker, the coordinator for the plan update. Chairman Richard Lefebvre has represented the Agency on the Steering Committee for the Plan. The Towns of Queensbury, Lake George, Bolton, Hague, and the Village of Lake George have approved local land use programs within the Basin, and the Agency's working relationship with these towns forms another aspect of interaction between Basin planning, the Park Commission and others responsible for the environmental future of Lake George. The Basin Plan update is being supported by the Department of State in cooperation with the various interests represented on the Steering Committee.
The Adirondack Park Agency will conduct its next monthly meeting on January 11th and 12 the at the Adirondack Park Agency Headquarters in Ray Brook.