Press Release: NYS, April 22, 2004

Governor George E. Pataki today, on Earth Day, announced the largest land conservation agreement in State history -- an agreement between the State and the International Paper Company to preserve nearly 260,000 acres encompassing 9 counties and 34 towns within the Adirondack Park.

The State will purchase working forest conservation easements on more than 255,000 acres and will purchase an additional 2,000 acres outright to provide new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the Adirondack Park, while supporting the local economy by continuing to allow sustainable forestry.

“More than 100 years ago, the people of New York State had the foresight to create the Adirondack Park to ensure the preservation of these environmentally significant lands for our benefit and that of future generations,” Governor Pataki said. “New York is a national leader in open space preservation and today, as we celebrate Earth Day, we are proud to build on that legacy by announcing the largest land conservation agreement in State history. Under this agreement, we will protect more than 250,000 acres that will provide new recreational opportunities for the public and continue to support the local economy.”

“This truly historic agreement represents a significant milestone in achieving our goal of protecting more than one million acres of open space by the end of the decade. I’d like to thank International Paper and the Conservation Fund for their partnership in making today’s agreement – and the continued protection of our State’s precious natural resources -- a reality,” the Governor added.

Today’s announcement brings the total open space preserved since the Governor has been in office to a total of 780,000 acres – an amount of land roughly equivalent to the size of the State of Rhode Island.

Under the agreement, New York State will acquire a working forest conservation easement on 255,236 acres, with an additional 2,000 acres being purchased outright. The lands consist of 21 separate tracts, spanning nine counties within the Adirondack Park, including Warren, Washington, Franklin, Clinton, Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Essex, Saratoga and Herkimer. The properties represent nearly all of IP’s Adirondack Park holdings, covering about 9 percent of the Park’s privately-owned forest land. They include productive forest land, miles of rivers and stream corridors and a wealth of recreational opportunities, including more than 250 miles of existing or potential hiking and snowmobile trails.

New York Congressman Sherwood Boehlert said, “I applaud Governor Pataki's enlightened leadership in protecting the land and resources of beautiful Upstate New York. This announcement is further proof that working together, we can leave our state in better shape for our children than we received it. Opening these lands for public access will provide sportsmen with more opportunities to hunt and fish, and the new trails that will be created will increase options for families who want to hike, bike or snowmobile in Upstate New York.”

State Senator Betty Little said, “The sale of development rights of these large tracts while keeping the land in sustainable forest production will be a tremendous benefit to International Paper as they compete in the world market, providing critical investment capital for the company. The new recreational opportunities afforded to the public will be of tremendous benefit to Adirondack residents and visitors well into the future. This is a truly historic announcement and a testament to Governor Pataki’s tremendous commitment to preserving our natural resources.”

Senator Ray Meier said, “This announcement demonstrates the compatibility of productive economic activity and responsible stewardship of the Adirondack Park. Forestry and outdoor recreation are mainstays of life in the Adirondacks as is respect for its abundant resources.”

Senator James L. Seward said, “I applaud Governor Pataki and International Paper for an agreement that will expand recreational opportunities in the Park for the State’s residents. Today’s announcement means the continuation of sustainable forestry practices that contribute to the economy of the Adirondack Park and account for the livelihoods of so many park residents. Future generations will commend the vision of the Governor for making land conservation a cornerstone of his legacy.”

Senator Hugh T. Farley said, “The people who live within the Adirondack Park take very seriously their stewardship of this unique and spectacular land. Governor Pataki’s historic announcement highlights the strength of public-private partnerships which conserve our environment, while offering recreational and sustainable economic development opportunities. I salute the Governor and International Paper for acting in the true spirit of Earth Day.”

Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward said, “Today’s announcement is great news for the people of the Adirondacks. My thanks to International Paper for keeping the interests of the people of the North Country in mind when this conservation easement agreement was negotiated with New York State. Governor Pataki continues to show his support by creating partnerships that protect and preserve open space, while balancing the needs of the people of New York State. This extraordinary agreement will provide much needed public recreation rights while allowing sustainable forestry uses.”

Assemblyman Chris Ortloff said, “I am hopeful that this will be a win-win situation for the public, the taxpayers, the company and the environment.”

Assemblyman James N. Tedisco said, “For many in the Capital Region and throughout New York State, the Adirondack Park represents the perfect getaway and a sportsman’s paradise. I thank Governor Pataki for shepherding this agreement through and for expanding public recreation opportunities in the Adirondacks.”

Assemblyman Marc W. Butler said, “I commend Governor Pataki for working so hard to preserve one of New York State’s wonderful natural resources. The Adirondack Park is a lush forest area that will continue to provide recreational enjoyment for us and for many generations to come thanks to this agreement.”

Assemblyman Roy McDonald said, “A number of people deserve credit for today’s agreement, especially the folks at International Paper, who have demonstrated that the public and private sectors can successfully work together for the betterment of the State. This agreement will not only result in the preservation of thousands of acres in the Adirondack Park, but it will also pump more tourist dollars into our local economy.”

Assemblywoman Dierdre ‘Dede” Scozzafava said, “This historic agreement is another example of the Pataki administration’s commitment to preserving some of the State’s most precious land. It supports the local economy, while protecting over a quarter of a million acres of pristine land.”

Tom Jorling, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for International Paper, said, “As a steward of more than 19 million acres of forest land world-wide, International Paper is deeply committed to well-managed forests and environmental protection. We put that commitment into action daily and the easement provides a great opportunity to promote and demonstrate the compatibility of environmental, recreational and economic interests. With this agreement, IP has now conserved its entire holdings in the Adirondacks, which amounts to about 9 percent of private land holdings in the Park.”

Today’s agreement is one of the largest ever brokered within the Northern Forest region of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and was facilitated by The Conservation Fund, an Arlington, Virginia-based non-profit conservation organization that works to protect America’s land and water legacy including wildlife habitat, working landscapes and open space.

Larry Selzer, President of The Conservation Fund, said, “We believe this partnership represents a new brand of conservation and model for the nation, bringing together public, private and nonprofit organizations to balance economic and environmental objectives. The Conservation Fund is committed to protecting America’s working landscapes, and we applaud International Paper and Governor Pataki for their vision and leadership.”

David H. Gibson, Executive Director, The Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks said, “The conservation of these Adirondack lands by the State, International Paper and its partners will become one of the most important stories of Adirondack 21st Century history. These lands cover just about every corner of the Adirondacks. Furthermore, these lands include both banks of great and scenic Adirondack rivers like the Jessup, the Independence and the West Branch St. Regis, as well as Adirondack lakes that are the jewels of the North Country. The Association congratulates Governor Pataki, Commissioner Crotty, International Paper and all the parties, as well as the people of the State and of the Adirondacks who, along with great Adirondack wildlife, will be the beneficiaries of these conservation lands long after we are gone.”

David J. Miller, Executive Director of Audubon New York, said, “I congratulate Governor Pataki for another history-making conservation initiative, which will also help keep forestry-related jobs in the Park. We know that maintaining a mosaic of different forest harvest and management practices can contribute to a greater diversity of bird and other wildlife species. These purchases will also forstall future development pressures over an extensive region.”

Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian L. Houseal said, “With this easement and fee purchase, Governor Pataki has solidified his role as the modern architect of the Adirondack Park. The Governor, International Paper and The Conservation Fund should all be commended for this historic agreement. It will ensure the economic viability of working forests as a major industry in the Park while allowing for increased tourism through additional recreational opportunities.”

Today’s agreement will double the amount of working forest easements the State holds within the Park to 513,000 acres. The easement will restrict subdivision and further development on the property, provide public recreation rights and require sustainable forestry operations that protect water quality and wildlife habitat to ensure the long term maintenance of the forest resource. The State will pay its proportionate share of local taxes on the easements it holds within the Park.

Also as part of the agreement, the State will acquire full public recreation rights on 84,232 acres and partial public rights, including the ability to maintain and build hiking and snowmobile trails, on 171,004 acres. IP will retain ownership of these lands and work cooperatively with the State as it develops public recreational plans guiding public use of these lands in the future.

“Our vision for the Adirondack Park includes sustainable forestry, vibrant tourism and protection of the natural resources upon which we all depend for our well being,” State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said. “This conservation agreement achieves all these goals on a truly historic scale.”

The agreement was structured to preserve the rights of various private recreation club organizations that currently lease large portions of the property for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreational activities, while expanding public recreational opportunities. It allows for the development of a net total of 40 additional lease camp buildings on the property and will require the removal of certain camps located in environmentally sensitive locations near water bodies. Under the agreement, all new camps must be located at least 300 feet from water bodies and wetlands and include no more than 500 square feet of interior space.

The State will pay up to fair market value for the property, with the price to be determined by a State-administered appraisal process that has been agreed to by the State, TCF and IP. The State intends to fund the acquisition through the Environmental Protection Fund and funding from the federal Forest Legacy Program administered by the United States Forest Service.

It is anticipated that the acquisition and its associated costs will be phased-in over a three year period, with the initial acquisition of 74,957 acres of working forest easements to occur later this year, another 79,110 acres in 2005, and 101,169 acres in 2006.

The announcement today is part of the State’s continuing efforts to preserve working forests, a priority project in the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan.

In his 2004 State of the State address, Governor Pataki set forth the goal of making New York a national leader in open space preservation, building on his earlier commitment to protect an additional one million acres of land in ten years. With today’s announcement, New York State, under Governor Pataki’s leadership, has committed to the permanent conservation of more than 780,000 acres of open space statewide.