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 Mission The mission of the Conservation Committee is to support ADK Club and member activities and projects related to land-use, water quality, urban sprawl, the reduction of pollution and the wise use of natural and other resources. Conservation, advocacy and stewardship ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are invited to actively participate in local and regional conservation projects organized and managed by the ADK Club, the ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter or other fellow conservation organizations. Local advocacy ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are urged to actively participate in their village, city or town and county Conservation Advisory Commissions or Boards with objectives to promote environmentally wise measures and regulations at the local and the regional level. Regional advocacy ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter members are invited to become actively involved with regional conservation issues and advocacy such as: Catskill Belleayre Resort Development Project A recent ruling by a NYSDEC Administrative Law Judge ruled that twelve significant and substantive environmental and quality-of-life issues have not yet been adequately addressed by the developers, and that full adjudicatory hearings are necessary on those issues. As a result, alternative proposals for a project of reduced scope are being discussed. It will be important to monitor the progress of this project for some time. Shawangunk Ridge Coalition The Shawangunk Ridge Coalition is an advocacy alliance of grassroots, regional, and national organizations dedicated to creating a continuous, protected corridor along the entire 50-mile length of the magnificent Shawangunk Ridge in New York. An explosion of development proposals threatens to destroy this precious environment. Its mission is to protect the Ridge's pristine water quality, unique wildlife habitat, and biodiversity, and to provide public access to its spectacular beauty and world-famous recreational opportunities. Access link: www.shawangunkridge.org NY State conservation advocacy As of April 2006, no less than four important conservation-related bills are currently under consideration by the NY State legislature: 1. The Clean Water Protection and Flood Prevention Act would close a loop in current regulation. When passed the Act would allow the protection of wetlands of 1 acre of more. Currently wetlands of 12.4 acres or more can benefit from full protection by the State. Status: passed by the Assembly but not assigned to any Senate committee. 2. The Bigger Better Bottle Act would expand return and recycling of bottles to beverage bottles. Status: not assigned to any Senate committee. 3. The Environment Protection Fund Enhancement Act would set aside State-wide over $200+ millions towards open land preservation. Status: passed Assembly Conservation, referred to Ways & Means; passed Senate Conservation and referred to Finance. 4. The Community Preservation Act would give local communities the right to put a real estate transfer tax to be used for local preservation and conservation projects. Status: passed Assembly, has not been brought to any Senate Committee. These bills if passed would provide more leverage and ways for protecting open lands and wetlands at the state and at the local level. Make sure to contact your respective State Senator to express your wish to have these bills passed in a prompt fashion. Your say will insure that more open lands and wetlands are fully protected from sprawling developments. More information about these bills and contact to State Senators can be found at: http://www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/home?openform Act now and make a difference for tomorrow. Land Stewardship The ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter is currently involved with several projects that encourage the participation of Chapter members: 1. Maintenance of the Beaver Meadow leanto and Millbrook Ridge Trail in the Catskills Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest; contact: Frank Dogil - email: frankpat@prodigy.net 2. Monitoring and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail Corridor in Dutchess County; contact: Jane Geisler; tel: 1-845-677-9909 3. Maintenance of the Fanny Reese Preserve in Highland, NY; contact: Russ Faller - email: russoutdoors@yahoo.com Jean-Claude Fouere Conservation Committee Chair Tel: 1-845-462 0142 JCFouere@optonline.net |
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Contact InformationMid-Hudson Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club
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