WURTSBORO - Governor George Pataki stopped in Wurtsboro on Friday to announce
the state's purchase of 942 acres on five parcels of land along the Shawangunk
Ridge and Trail in the Town of Mamakating.
Pataki announced that the state has protected more than 780,000 acres of open
space since he stepped into office. He set a goal of protecting one million
acres by 2012.
"The Shawangunk Ridge is a unique natural and recreational asset that offers New
Yorkers and all outdoor enthusiasts a chance to enjoy the scenic beauty of the
Catskills," said the governor. "People want to be where the quality of life is
great."
Three threatened species occupy the newly protected area, said Pataki. He did
not describe which species, but they include a bird, flower and fish.
(Pataki also took the time to announce the 25,000 jobs created throughout the
state during May, more than any other state.)
The five areas consist of the 370-acre Konstantinoff parcel, the 182-acre Howell
parcel, the 141-acre Stutzman parcel, the 162-acre Wurtsboro Steam Laundry
parcel and the 77-acre Lazar parcel. The purchase was made through the state's
Environmental Protection Fund at a cost of approximately one million dollars,
said the governor.
Town of Mamakating Supervisor Charles Penna was pleased with the deal. The town
would be made whole on the taxes owed on the land, he said.
Neil Zimmerman of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference took partial credit
for the purchase. "The hikers got together to push it," he said. The Open Space
Institute and Trust for Public Land also assisted in the purchase.
After the announcement, Pataki took questions from reporters on the proposed
casinos and the late budget. As to whether he believed a $15 million impact fee
was sufficient for each casino to pay the county, Pataki responded, "We will put
the details together." He described the deal with the Cayugas for a casino at
the site of Monticello Raceway to be a "conceptual agreement." And he blamed the
lack of a state budget on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for refusing to
"negotiate until he gets more for New York City schools."
http://www.sc-democrat.com/news/06June/29/pataki.html
