In the wake of Wednesday’s State of the State Address by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Adirondack Council said it was pleased with proposed initiatives to improve tourism and rural infrastructure, but dismayed at what it describes as a weak emphasis on state environmental quality.
Specifically, the funds seem to be lacking, said William C. Janeway, the environmental group’s executive director.
Among the actions needed are an update of aging land development regulations, measures to curb climate change impacts, a prevention of the spread of invasive species, and assurances that all-terrain vehicles will be kept off public forest lands.
“The Adirondack Council is pleased that Governor Cuomo has devoted so much time and energy to Adirondack issues over the past year. We hope that his enthusiasm translates into additional funding in his upcoming State Budget,” Janeway said.
But so far, the governor’s direction is uncertain, according to Janeway.
“The park’s environment needs better care. Its 130 small communities need growth that is compatible with environmental protection. We look forward to a state budget that will stand as proof of his commitment to the environment, because we didn’t hear much about those issues today.”
On the plus side, the governor mentioned the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and took credit for adding money to it last session, for the first time in many years, Janeway said.
“But more than 100 organizations will be calling on the Governor to increase the EPF to $200 million this year,” he said.
The governor’s plans for state regulatory reform are also a concern, according to Janeway.
“We caution him to seek reforms that will not damage the Adirondack Park’s clean waters, clean air and open spaces,” he said.
In the interest of both the environment and the economy, Janeway said, “We need to keep the park forever wild for everyone.”
Major political leaders also need to be introduced to the Adirondacks, and its needs and concerns, Janeway said.
“With or without the Governor, we hope there will be a 2014 Adirondack Challenge this summer that brings additional attention to the park’s new public lands and waters—as well as bringing new business to the surrounding, gateway communities,” he said.
Finally, Janeway said the organization would be watching carefully the Governor’s plan for highway improvements just north of the Adirondack Park.
An elevated interstate highway between Watertown and Plattsburgh could isolate the Adirondack Park from wildlife migration pathways to Canada and the Great Lakes.
In the Legislative Session ahead, Janeway said the Adirondack Council will be seeking the following initiatives:
• An Environmental Protec-tion Fund (EPF) of $200 million or more (a $47-million increase over 2013);
• Improvements to the Adiron-dack Park Agency Act and updates of the agency’s 40-year-old rules for private land development;
• Transformational improvements to invasive species controls;
• Measures to address greenhouses gas emissions, as well as the impact of climate change on the park’s ecology and rural communities; and,
• Laws or regulations that keep all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) off of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
The EPF is a capital projects account within the state budget that may be used for major purchases such as new Forest Preserve or park lands, landfill closures and recycling facilities.
The Adirondack Council is privately funded, not-for-profit organization that advocates for the ecological integrity and wild character of New York’s six-million-acre Adirondack Park.