For Immediate Release: November 7, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- This month's Adirondack Park Agency meeting will kick off with the introduction of new staff member, Leigh Walrath, on Thursday November 14, at 9 a.m. in Ray Brook, and continue with the presentation of two certificates and the discussion of a trail dedication. In addition to Thursday morning's activities, Agency Members and Designees will review two new projects, receive a presentation of final revisions to the Bog River Unit Management Plan, review the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the proposed enforcement regulation changes, and receive three reports from the Agency's Resource Analysis Scientific Staff.
"In addition to his impressive resume', Leigh is from the Adirondack region and is very familiar with the important issues of the Park," APA Chairman Richard Lefebvre said. "The combination of his familiarity with the Park and his extensive experience makes Leigh a great fit for the Agency."
Leigh Walrath joined the Agency's Jurisdiction office as an Environmental Program Specialist. He holds an M.S. in Ecology from the University at Albany, a B.S. in Resource Management and Economics from Empire State College, and an A.A.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Technology from SUNY Cobleskill. In his most recent position as Environmental Analyst with the Department of Public Service in Albany, Leigh performed SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) for electric generating facility proposals, such as assisting in environmental review of major electric generating facilities and electric and gas transmission lines. He worked in 1999 and 2000 as Assistant Program Manager for the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation where he developed methodology for collecting experimental data for acid precipitation studies and updated standard operating procedures for quality assurance and control of sampling technique for low-level mercury and acid precipitation water quality parameters. Leigh has also spent time with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission as an environmental analyst in both Essex Junction, Vermont, and Albany, New York. In Essex Junction he worked primarily in sea lamprey control, and from DEC's headquarters in Albany he worked on the Lake Champlain Long-Term Monitoring Program.
The first of two certificate presentations will be made Thursday morning to Jeff Trudeau, with the Department of Correctional Services in Camp Gabriels. Mr. Trudeau will receive a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions in the upkeep of the Agency's building and grounds this summer. A Certificate of Recognition celebrating the partnership between the Adirondack Park Agency and the AuSable River Association will also be presented Thursday morning in Ray Brook.
A discussion will take place on Thursday morning regarding the dedication of an educational loop trail at the Newcomb Visitor Interpretive Center in honor of Richard Sage, of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Regulatory Program Committee Members will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday to discuss two new projects: the new Town of Keene Highway Garage in the Town of Keene, in Essex County, and the construction of a single-family dwelling in the Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County. The applicant for the proposed single-family dwelling project is Agency's Counsel, John Banta and his wife. As a matter of Agency practice, Mr. Banta will excuse himself from any discussion involving his project application.
From 1 to 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, State Land Committee Members will meet to review the final revisions to the Bog River Unit Management Plan (UMP). The Agency will not be taking action on this UMP until January, the presentation is for review purposes only.
Legal Affairs Committee Members will review the "Final Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement" (FSGEIS) regarding the recent proposed enforcement regulation changes on Thursday, at 2:15 p.m. The document will be presented for review and action at this month's meeting.
Three reports will be given by staff on Thursday at 3:45 p.m., during the Park Ecology/Interpretive Committee meeting. Hilary Oles and Sean Connin will report on the Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring Program and the status of the data collected, the development of the data-based Web site, and the work of the volunteers. Dan Spada and Sean Connin will report on the Terrestrial Invasive Species Program and the integration of terrestrial and aquatic databases, as well as the use of an Agency General Permit and other control measures. The third report will be given by Sunita Halasz and Ray Curran who will report on the St. Lawrence Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wetland Protection Project.
On Friday, November 15, the Town of Bolton will make a special presentation on the Town's Comprehensive Plan. The presentation will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, during the Local Government Services Committee meeting. Town of Bolton Supervisor Alexander Gabriels III, and other Town officials and representatives will make a presentation of the new Town of Bolton Comprehensive Plan & Hamlet Strategic Plan, no Agency action will be taken, the presentation is for informational purposes.
The next Agency meeting will be held December 12th and 13th in Ray Brook. For more information, please call 518-891-4050, ext. 173.