Public hearing held for Taconic State Park Draft Master Plan

MILLERTON— Following the success of its first public hearing in Copake, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation organized a second public hearing on a Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Taconic State Park on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

The hearing was well-attended by local officials and draft planners and Taconic State Park staff members. Enlarged maps outlining the plan stood on display, including a map of the ecological communities, natural heritage areas, bird conservation areas and draft trail plans for the park.

“Thank you for joining us,” said Regional Director Linda Cooper. “This is our second public hearing on the Taconic State Park Draft Master Plan — we had one last month in Copake — and this is unusual: two hearings, one state park.”

Cooper said that they had visited Millerton in the past to solicit input on the plan and noted that everyone who contributed played an important role in the plan’s assembly. She then took the time to recognize local officials who had come out to the hearing, including North East town Supervisor George Kaye, Deputy town Supervisor John Merwin, Councilman and Rudd Pond resident Jim Campbell, Dutchess County Legislator Gregg Pulver (R-19), Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106) legislative aide Tom McCarthy and policy analyst Nicholas Joseph from the office of State Senator Sue Serino (R-41). 

Cooper also mentioned a few individuals in the audience who helped to organize the draft plan.

“It’s a good team and I think we put together a plan that you can read and give us input on,” Cooper said.

Taking the microphone, environmental analyst Janet Zuckerman introduced herself as the evening’s hearing officer before reading a list of hearing guidelines aloud. Zuckerman pointed out that she would be evaluating the number of requests to comment and that the hearing was a legislative meeting organized for the purpose of gathering information.

“We are not here to judge or debate, but to record fully and accurately,” she concluded.

Stepping up to the front of the room, Park Planner Sara Hart delivered a concise overview of both the plan and DEIS. To provide a bit of context, she outlined the plan’s timeline over the last two years, from the start of the planning process in 2015 to the completion of both documents on Wednesday, Aug. 2. 

Once the hearing opened for formal statements, a majority of the public comments focused on prioritizing critical improvements to Rudd Pond, though each speaker expressed support to those involved in the plan’s creation.

As the hearing’s first speaker, Kaye questioned the current management of aquatic plants at Rudd Pond as outlined in the plan.

“I find this just a bit obtuse,” Kaye remarked. “I’m not sure exactly what it means when it says we’re exploring alternative measures at this point. I think we would like a much clearer statement on what you plan to address.”

He also asked about the state’s priorities in relation to Rudd Pond’s upkeep.

“We kind of feel that it’s time somebody took a look at the park here,” he said.

“Small towns have had increasing difficulties maintaining recreation programs in our area,” Pulver said as the second speaker, “but Rudd Pond has been an integral part of that experience in recreation.”

Pulver added that the continuation of aquatic influx — namely weeds — will make it increasingly difficult to provide swimming opportunities to park visitors.

Speaking on behalf of Barrett, McCarthy read a prepared statement from the Assembly member. That statement was also sent to this newspaper, and reads as follows:

“Thousands of visitors every year benefit from the park’s stunning natural, historic and recreational attractions, and it is my hope that this Master Plan can be a guide to ensure its appeal, now and in the future, to all generations. People today are using parks in both new and traditional ways and our hope is that Taconic State Park, as a result of this Master Plan, will be poised to engage an expanded and diverse community of park visitors, as well as the local residents who live near the park.”

Copies of the Draft Master Plan/DEIS are available to read at the Taconic State Park Office and at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, located at 9091 Route 22 in Hillsdale. A local copy can also be found at the NorthEast-Millerton Library and an online version of both documents can found at www.nysparks.state.ny.us/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx. 

Individuals may submit their comments about the plan in writing no later than Friday, Oct. 20. All written comments should be sent to either Linda Cooper at Taconic Region, 9 Old Post Road, NY 12580, or Sara Hart at Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Albany, NY 12238.

Cooper can also be reached  at 845-889-3811, while Hart can be reached at 518-474-6703. 

Additionally, individuals may email their comments to taconic.plan@parks.ny.gov.

For more information, go to www.nysparks.com.