For Immediate Release: December 9, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- The Adirondack Park Agency will meet on December 12th and 13th in Ray Brook where new interim Chairman Jim Frenette will direct his first Agency meeting. Agency Board Members and Designees will introduce the Agency's newest staff addition, Richard Weber, as the Supervisor of Adirondack Regional Planning. The Board will also review three new projects; receive an informational presentation on the Bog River Unit Management Plan; discuss the proposed unit management plan public comment policy, and make a final decision regarding the proposed revised Enforcement Regulations.
Tupper Lake native, Jim Frenette was appointed as interim chair by Governor George Pataki on December 2, 2002. At the Agency's regular public meeting last month, Chairman Richard Lefebvre announced his resignation for the purposes of retirement. Mr. Frenette will serve as Chairman until a permanent replacement is established.
"In addition to his many partnerships and his impeccable working relationship with the Board and Agency staff, Mr. Lefebvre also did so much to improve the public's relationship to, and perception of, the APA," Mr. Frenette said. "It is our job to maintain that momentum, and to continue to balance economic development opportunities and the protection of the Park's precious natural resources."
Mr. Frenette was appointed to the Board in 1992 and currently sits on three committees with the Agency: Interpretive Programs Services, Regulatory Programs Services, and Park Policy/State Lands Services. The appointment will run on an interim basis for the coming months while the search for a permanent chair is undertaken and completed. For the interim, Mr. Frenette will assume all the responsibilities, duties, and rights of Chairman.
Richard Weber is the newest member of staff and comes to the Agency with extensive experience in Geographical Informational Systems (GIS) and environmental planning. Mr. Weber is attended Paul Smith's College and received his bachelor's degree from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. He comes to the Agency from The LA Group in Saratoga Springs and fills the Supervisor of Adirondack Park Regional Planning positions vacated this summer by the retirement of Chuck Scrafford.
Three projects will be reviewed during the Regulatory Programs Committee, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 12th. Committee Members will decide on a demonstration control project proposed by the Lake George Park Commission and Office of General Services to apply an aquatic herbicide (Sonar) at four locations in Lake George. Committee Members will also decide on the New York State Police application to replace the emergency call boxes along Interstate 87 with a new wireless system. The third project for the Committee's review is the Adirondack Park Agency's proposal for building renovations to improve public access and meet state health and safety regulations.
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Adirondack Park Agency staff will make an informational presentation at 1 p.m. on natural resources, relevant State Land Master Plan criteria, management actions and public comments regarding the Bog River Unit Management Plan. State Land Committee Members will also receive an informational presentation on DEC disability access projects. The DEC presentation will focus on programs occurring in DEC Region 6 relating to campsite improvements and design standards.
Beginning at 3 p.m. on Thursday, December 12th, Legal Affairs/Enforcement Committee Members will meet to review and decide upon the proposed Enforcement regulation changes.
At 9 a.m. on Friday, the Ecology/Interpretive Programs Committee will meet to review program goals and management goals development in the strategic plan for the Visitors Interpretive Centers.
The next Adirondack Park Agency meeting will be held January 9th and 10th, 2003 in Ray Brook. For more information, please call (518) 891-4050 ext. 173.