Friday, April 23, 2004
By Michael Gormley, Associated
Press
ALBANY, New York?— Nearly 260,000
acres of Adirondack wilderness owned by a major
paper manufacturer will be permanently protected
from development?—?and much of it will be opened
to recreation?—?under a deal announced Thursday
with the state.
The land, spread over nine counties, is owned by International Paper Co., which
agreed never to sell the land for development in exchange for tax breaks.
Gov. George Pataki said the deal showed that conservationists and businesses
need not have conflicting goals.
"This is replacing confrontation with cooperation where all of us come out ahead," he
said.
The state will spend up to $25 million on the project over the next three years,
much of it to acquire rights to the land, the governor said. The company will
retain ownership and the right to log using sustainable methods that include
selective harvesting and planting new trees.
The plan will double the amount of forest in the 6 million-acre Adirondack
Park that can never be developed. It is the largest land-preservation effort
in New York state history. In addition, the state is buying 2,000 acres that
adjoin the park, including about two miles of pristine frontage along the Sacandaga
River.
"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," said Erin Crotty, state environmental conservation commissioner. "This
conservation agreement achieves all these goals on a truly historic scale."
Source: Associated Press