Forest Preserve Groups Call for State Action

December 12, 2022
News
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Forest Preserve Groups Call for State Action
View of Devils Path in late winter from Blackdome in the Catskills

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December 12, 2022 — Albany, NY — In a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, twenty-nine organizations and municipalities have outlined three key actions that they would like to see taken in the 2023/24 state budgeting process to address high recreational use in the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks.

 

  1. Retain the dedicated line for the Forest Preserve Parks as an annual appropriation of $10 million under the Environmental Protection Fund’s (EPF’s) State Land Stewardship funding;
  2. Add and support agency staff positions necessary to implement the use of EPF and Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act funding;
  3. Invest in Forest Preserve Park communities through implementing projects funded by the Bond Act; Smart Growth initiatives; and support of visitor centers.

 

The signatories also applauded this year’s historic commitment to the environment, which included a $400 million EPF, and passage of the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act. The former included $8 million in dedicated funds for the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve Parks, representing an impressive step toward meeting the vision outlined by the Catskill Park and Adirondack High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Groups (CAG and HPAG).

 

The full contents of the letter can be read online.