RJ
07-17-2007, 05:07 PM
LAKE GEORGE* N.Y. -- Saying sustainable development and environmental protection go hand-in-hand* New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis and other state officials announced today that $1 million will be made available to Adirondack Park communities to promote smart growth planning.
The Smart Growth Grants Program for the Adirondacks will establish a competitive fund for counties* towns* villages and not-for-profit organizations to develop plans that link sustainable development* environmental protection and community livability. The DEC commissioner will oversee this initiative in consultation with the Adirondack Park Agency.
“The Adirondack Park is a natural gem worthy of continued protection*” said Governor Eliot Spitzer. “In addition to having the nation’s only constitutionally protected wild forest land* the Adirondack Park is home to more than 130*000 full-time residents* hundreds of businesses and many distinct communities whose future prosperity depends upon the continued protection of its natural resources and the expansion of sustainable economic-development opportunities.”
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “Historically* economic development and environmental conservation in the Adirondacks have been at odds. But they don’t have to be. And shouldn’t be. This program is an opportunity to begin to change that. Protecting the Forest Preserve and fostering a good quality of life for the Park residents is in everyone’s best interest.”
Governor Spitzer secured $2 million in the 2007-08 Environmental Protection Fund for grants to promote smart growth initiatives; $1 million will be earmarked for the Adirondacks. Smart Growth can be used in rural communities to address some of the land-use issues facing the Park communities – workforce housing* aging infrastructure* water quality* economic development* open space protection* and village/hamlet revitalization.
Smart Growth is sensible* planned growth that balances the need for economic development with concerns about quality-of-life* such as preserving the natural and built environment. Smart Growth is also useful in attracting investments from an increasing number of businesses that value community quality-of-life in their location decisions. A recent report from the state Economic Development Council found that access to outdoor recreation has become a major factor in business location decision-making.
Empire State Development Corp. Chairperson Dan Gundersen said: “Smart growth strategies go hand-in-hand with effective economic development planning. We can put the tremendous assets of the Adirondack region to productive economic use* while preserving and enhancing the majesty of its natural resources.”
Adirondack Park Agency Chairperson Ross Whaley said: “Our region is looking for practical* workable solutions to address the spiraling costs of housing* the out-migration of young people* and the shortage of decent jobs. Smart Growth will help us plan our communities so that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability actually complement one another.”
Local officials expressed support for the initiative.
“Many Adirondack communities struggle to keep up with providing basic municipal services and simply don’t have the financial resources needed to invest in planning for their futures*” Sen. Betty Little said. “This grant program* which I am pleased to support with Governor Eliot Spitzer and DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis* will help many communities develop long-term* comprehensive strategies to address important issues such as affordable housing for year-round Adirondack residents* water and sewer infrastructure* economic growth* recreational opportunities and protection of unique natural resources.”
“I congratulate Commissioner Grannis for not only listening* but hearing the concerns of our Adirondack communities regarding the need for sustainable growth within the Park*” said Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward. “The announcement of this critical funding will initiate a dialogue on transferring development rights within each community after identifying sites for affordable housing and business development. With continued cooperation* we can strengthen the economic well-being of the North Country* one community at a time.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said: “This program presents a creative way to address community needs while protecting the qualities that make the Adirondack Park special. I hope our communities will take advantage of this opportunity.”
Environmental groups said the program could provide much needed aid for planning.
“The Adirondack Park's villages and hamlets are what set it apart from America's National Parks* where nobody is allowed to live inside the boundary and all of the buildings are owned and operated by the government*” Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian Houseal said. “The Park's tiny communities provide nearly all of the goods and services consumed by 10 million visitors each year. But these communities are beset by skyrocketing taxes* an aging infrastructure and haphazard* unplanned growth in some of its most rural areas. Only 17 of the Park's 92 towns and 12 villages have local land-use plans that can channel development into compact areas* where municipal services can be provided affordably. The Park is in desperate need of local planning assistance.”
Neil Woodworth* executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club* said: “Planning money for these communities is the best way to encourage sustainable economic development while protecting and preserving the natural beauty that has made the Adirondacks a world class vacation destination.”
Grant monies will be available to counties and municipalities* as well as not-for-profit organizations with experience in planning which work in conjunction with municipalities. (See attached fact sheet). The DEC anticipates that applications for ``Requests for Proposals’’ will be available in approximately 30 days.
For more information about the grant* or to receive requests for proposals* contact the DEC at 518-402-9405.
The Smart Growth Grants Program for the Adirondacks will establish a competitive fund for counties* towns* villages and not-for-profit organizations to develop plans that link sustainable development* environmental protection and community livability. The DEC commissioner will oversee this initiative in consultation with the Adirondack Park Agency.
“The Adirondack Park is a natural gem worthy of continued protection*” said Governor Eliot Spitzer. “In addition to having the nation’s only constitutionally protected wild forest land* the Adirondack Park is home to more than 130*000 full-time residents* hundreds of businesses and many distinct communities whose future prosperity depends upon the continued protection of its natural resources and the expansion of sustainable economic-development opportunities.”
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said: “Historically* economic development and environmental conservation in the Adirondacks have been at odds. But they don’t have to be. And shouldn’t be. This program is an opportunity to begin to change that. Protecting the Forest Preserve and fostering a good quality of life for the Park residents is in everyone’s best interest.”
Governor Spitzer secured $2 million in the 2007-08 Environmental Protection Fund for grants to promote smart growth initiatives; $1 million will be earmarked for the Adirondacks. Smart Growth can be used in rural communities to address some of the land-use issues facing the Park communities – workforce housing* aging infrastructure* water quality* economic development* open space protection* and village/hamlet revitalization.
Smart Growth is sensible* planned growth that balances the need for economic development with concerns about quality-of-life* such as preserving the natural and built environment. Smart Growth is also useful in attracting investments from an increasing number of businesses that value community quality-of-life in their location decisions. A recent report from the state Economic Development Council found that access to outdoor recreation has become a major factor in business location decision-making.
Empire State Development Corp. Chairperson Dan Gundersen said: “Smart growth strategies go hand-in-hand with effective economic development planning. We can put the tremendous assets of the Adirondack region to productive economic use* while preserving and enhancing the majesty of its natural resources.”
Adirondack Park Agency Chairperson Ross Whaley said: “Our region is looking for practical* workable solutions to address the spiraling costs of housing* the out-migration of young people* and the shortage of decent jobs. Smart Growth will help us plan our communities so that economic prosperity and environmental sustainability actually complement one another.”
Local officials expressed support for the initiative.
“Many Adirondack communities struggle to keep up with providing basic municipal services and simply don’t have the financial resources needed to invest in planning for their futures*” Sen. Betty Little said. “This grant program* which I am pleased to support with Governor Eliot Spitzer and DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis* will help many communities develop long-term* comprehensive strategies to address important issues such as affordable housing for year-round Adirondack residents* water and sewer infrastructure* economic growth* recreational opportunities and protection of unique natural resources.”
“I congratulate Commissioner Grannis for not only listening* but hearing the concerns of our Adirondack communities regarding the need for sustainable growth within the Park*” said Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward. “The announcement of this critical funding will initiate a dialogue on transferring development rights within each community after identifying sites for affordable housing and business development. With continued cooperation* we can strengthen the economic well-being of the North Country* one community at a time.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said: “This program presents a creative way to address community needs while protecting the qualities that make the Adirondack Park special. I hope our communities will take advantage of this opportunity.”
Environmental groups said the program could provide much needed aid for planning.
“The Adirondack Park's villages and hamlets are what set it apart from America's National Parks* where nobody is allowed to live inside the boundary and all of the buildings are owned and operated by the government*” Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian Houseal said. “The Park's tiny communities provide nearly all of the goods and services consumed by 10 million visitors each year. But these communities are beset by skyrocketing taxes* an aging infrastructure and haphazard* unplanned growth in some of its most rural areas. Only 17 of the Park's 92 towns and 12 villages have local land-use plans that can channel development into compact areas* where municipal services can be provided affordably. The Park is in desperate need of local planning assistance.”
Neil Woodworth* executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club* said: “Planning money for these communities is the best way to encourage sustainable economic development while protecting and preserving the natural beauty that has made the Adirondacks a world class vacation destination.”
Grant monies will be available to counties and municipalities* as well as not-for-profit organizations with experience in planning which work in conjunction with municipalities. (See attached fact sheet). The DEC anticipates that applications for ``Requests for Proposals’’ will be available in approximately 30 days.
For more information about the grant* or to receive requests for proposals* contact the DEC at 518-402-9405.