Press Release: NYS, April 5, 2004

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the protection of nearly 16,000 acres in the heart of the Adirondack Park through a conservation easement on working forest lands owned by International Paper in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. The easement, one of the largest ever donated to New York State, is a gift from International Paper in honor of its former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Dillon.

“We’ve already made New York State a national leader in open space preservation by protecting more than 500,000 acres of land, and this easement brings us even closer to our goal of protecting a total of one million acres of open space during the next ten years,” Governor Pataki said. “I want to thank International Paper -- and especially John Faraci -- for their generous gift in honor of former CEO and Adirondack native John Dillon, that will provide new recreational opportunities for New Yorkers, including those with disabilities, while preserving this magnificent property for future generations to come.”

The working forest conservation easement consists of a total of 15,810 acres, including two adjacent parcels -- the 2,166 acre Whitney Triangle, and the 13,644 acre Sperry Grampus tract -- separated by Route 30. The easement will allow DEC to work with IP and Paul Smith’s College to develop wilderness style recreational facilities for people with disabilities on Grampus and Handsome Lakes.

State Senator Betty Little, said, “This is truly a wonderful gift from International Paper which will be shared and enjoyed for generations.

The collaborative effort planned by IP, DEC and Paul Smith's College to improve outdoor recreational accessibility for the disabled is something we all look forward to seeing progress, making this great gift in honor of John Dillon's years of leadership all the more special.”

State Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, said, “Today's announcement is great news for the people of the Adirondacks. My thanks to International Paper Co. and to Chairman and CEO John Faraci for keeping the interest of the people of the North Country in mind when this conservation easement was donated to 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 piece of property will provide much needed handicapped access in a wilderness area.”

Greg Wallace, Supervisor, Town of Long Lake, said, “The Town of Long Lake feels that this entire effort, which we understand to be considerable, is a great first step increasing quality of life for those who love the outdoors. The town feels a special burden for handicapped sportsmen and women who deserve equal opportunity to outdoor recreation. The town hopes that future consideration by both State and private landowners will be given to this tax paying segment of our State population, particularly with regard to motorized access. The town is greatly encouraged by the creation of the Park and sincerely hopes that it will be the beginning of the fulfillment of the rights of all disabled sports people. Thank you to International Paper and the State of New York.”

International Paper Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Faraci, said, “Creation of this park reflects the personal, environmental and economic values that John holds dear. It will bring a recreational opportunity for people with disabilities together with the economic benefits of sustainably managed forests and open space protection. It would not have been possible without John's vision and the cooperation of Governor Pataki and the State of New York, as well as our many partners, including Paul Smith's College and the Town of Long Lake. Through private industry, government and non-profit agencies coming together to pursue this common vision, we can open new vistas of opportunity in the Adirondacks.”

Jim Allen, dean of the Forestry Division at Paul Smith's College, said, “I'm very pleased with the prospect of working with IP, New York State, and the other partners involved in the John Dillon project. From the perspective of Paul Smith's College, this project will provide a first-rate opportunity for our students and faculty to gain practical experience in providing recreational services to people with disabilities. I am also pleased that our college is going to be involved, simply because I see this project serving an important social need.”

Brian Houseal, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council, the Adirondack Park's largest environmental organization, said, “This gift from International Paper is an outstanding addition to the public recreational lands of the Adirondack Park. We identified this area as a high priority for permanent protection in 1990 because it is so easily accessible and contains an excellent road network leading to more than a dozen ponds and miles of streams. In terms of fishing, camping and canoeing, it is paradise. And its accessibility will open many new opportunities for those with mobility impairments. We commend IP for its generosity and we thank Governor Pataki for his commitment to open space preservation that facilitated today's announcement.”

The property is located immediately east of the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area and south of the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. It abuts the 26,000 acres of land preserved under an agreement with The Nature Conservancy and announced by Governor Pataki in January 2001. This area is one of the most popular destinations in the Adirondacks for outdoor enthusiasts seeking wilderness recreational opportunities.

The Sperry Grampus tract includes Sperry Pond, Grampus Lake, Handsome Pond, Mohegan Lake, and Moonshine Pond, and is surrounded by forested hills, low mountains, and wetlands. It also contains more than seven miles of frontage on Route 30, the major transportation corridor in the region.

The Whitney Triangle parcel includes Bog Stream and Buck Mountain, and includes four miles of frontage on Route 30. It is bounded on two sides by the Sabattis Circle Road, which links visitors to Little Tupper Lake at the William C. Whitney Wilderness Area. Both properties are currently heavily forested and will be managed under the terms of the easement for sustainable forestry activities that help support the regional economy.

Under the working forest conservation easement, the property will remain in IP ownership. The easement will limit new industrial, commercial or residential development of the parcel and require sustainable forestry activities to protect water quality and other natural resources.

Existing camp leases on the property will not be affected.

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, “Governor Pataki continues to demonstrate his commitment to building strong public-private partnerships that help benefit New York State’s precious natural resources. DEC is greatly appreciative of IP’s generous gift and excited about working with the company and Paul Smith’s College to incorporate this beautiful area as another of the Adirondacks’ many wonderful outdoor recreational offerings.”

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.

Since 1995, New York State has preserved a total of 516,000 acres of open space statewide. 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 acquire over one million acres of land in ten years.