Environment DEC
From the December 2006 issue
Governor Announces 2006 State Open Space Conservation Plan
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced the release of the 2006 New York State Open Space Conservation Plan, which provides an outline for protecting environmentally-sensitive lands and waters throughout the state.
Nearly One Million Acres Preserved
Areas throughout New York State
have been protected under the
Open Space Conservation Plan
"Over the past 12 years, New York State has made significant progress in protecting open space, which has helped to enhance the quality of life for our citizens," Governor Pataki said. "The Open Space Conservation Plan has been an important tool to guide these efforts and identify critical objectives and priorities. I am proud that we have preserved nearly one million acres of open space, created additional public access to these pristine lands and waters, and helped ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the natural landscape of this great state for years to come."
The first State Open Space Conservation Plan was adopted in 1992, and previous updates were released in 1995, 1998 and 2002. The plan sets the framework to protect some of the most environmentally important lands and waters in the state, and has been instrumental in expanding public parklands, preserving working landscapes for forestry and farming, and creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to access the beauty and natural resources of the Empire State. Since 1995, New York State has invested more than $16.5 billion to protect and preserve New York's environment, including more than 975,000 acres of open space statewide.
The 2006 Plan includes a coastal and
estuarine land conservation program
Under state law, New York's Open Space Conservation Plan is updated by DEC and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), with the assistance of nine regional advisory committees jointly appointed by state and county governments. The Department of State (DOS) also contributes to the plan as part of its implementation of the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP).
Overwhelming Support for Strong Open Space Conservation
A draft update to the Open Space Conservation Plan was developed in 2005. This updated plan was widely distributed for public comment and the subject of a series of public hearings held across the state. Public comments received were consistent with preceding years, showing overwhelming support for a strong open space conservation program. Comments included many recommendations for additional priority projects, which largely were incorporated into the final plan. As public support for New York's open space program continues to grow, more and more communities are working cooperatively with local land trusts, private land owners, and the state to fashion effective local open space programs to complement state efforts.
The 2006 New York State Open Space Conservation Plan outlines a series of priority projects in each region of the state that were identified by the Regional Advisory Committees, the staff of the state agencies involved and the public during the development process. The plan also documents the many successes that have been achieved in open space protection efforts, and makes a series of practical recommendations that build on the state's and its partners' abilities to conserve open space in the future.
Greatly Improves Quality of Life for Future Generations
DEC Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan said, "New York State has valuable open space resources stretching from the Adirondacks to New York City. The 2006 Plan provides a solid foundation to further build upon Governor Pataki's commitment to open space conservation across New York State. By protecting these significant open space resources and critical wildlife habitats, we are greatly improving the quality of life in our communities, and enhancing the environment for future generations to enjoy."
More Information
The 2006 New York State Open Space Conservation Plan is available at the NYS Open Space Conservation Plan web page on DEC's website. Copies of the plan are also available at regional offices of DEC and OPRHP.
