DEC and State Parks Announce $1.6 Million in Outdoor Recreation Access Projects in Central New York
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 10/01/2015 01:11 PM EDTDEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
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DEC and State Parks Announce $1.6 Million in Outdoor Recreation Access Projects in Central New York |
Operational Visitors Center and 2016 Fishing Contest to be Added to Onondaga Lake Largest Piece of Undeveloped Public Property on Cazenovia Lake to See Investment As part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Capital for a Day in Central New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced $1.6 million in important projects which will improve access to several popular state-owned recreational sites across Central New York. New York State will provide $750,000 to complete additional extensions on Onondaga County's Loop-the-Lake trail. In addition, NY Works will support $300,000 in projects to enhance public access to state lands and lakes for persons and families of all abilities. Acting DEC Commissioner Marc Gerstman said, "Governor Cuomo has a deep appreciation for New York State's unmatched natural resources and is committed to opening the door to the many wonders New York's magnificent outdoors hold for all to enjoy." "Governor Cuomo's investment in public access across New York State promotes healthy, active outdoor recreation, connects people with the outdoors, rejuvenates our world-class park system and sustains New York's natural environment all the while helping energize local economies," said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. After extensive outreach to sportsmen, outdoor enthusiasts and other stakeholders, DEC worked to identify ways to enhance public access and improve recreational opportunities for all Central New Yorkers. The result produced targeted investments into projects which speak directly to the expressed needs of the community. Onondaga Lake Boat Launch/Visitors Center/Loop-the-Lake Trail Onondaga Lake, once known as the most polluted lake in the United States, is now a recreational asset through the work of many state and local partners to clean up the lake. Through critical upgrades to Onondaga County's wastewater treatment operations, along with significant remediation work in the area by Honeywell, Onondaga Lake is meeting water quality standards for swimming in the northern two-thirds of the lake. The lake is now supporting a range of human recreation uses, including a diverse fishery. A total of 53 species of fish have been identified in the lake since 2000. Projects designed to showcase this national environmental success story include:
$630,000 in Central NY Access Projects:
To date, more than $1.6 million in NY Works funding has been invested to provide and promote access to Central New York's great outdoors including such projects as: Skaneateles Lake Fishing access; Three Rivers WMA hunting and observation blind; Deer Creek Marsh WMA boardwalk and docks; Cleveland Dock Fishing Access; Redfield Island Boat Launch and the Tinker Falls Trail. The projects are part of Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and woman and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, last year $10 million in NY Works funding went toward fish hatchery repairs and 50 new land and water access projects such as boat launches, hunting blinds, rails and parking areas. Under the initiative, the 2015-2016 Enacted Budget included an additional $8 million for state land access projects and an additional $4 million for the state's hatcheries in NY Works funding. The Budget also creates a new capital account which along with federal Pittman-Robertson funds will be used to manage, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat, and to improve and develop public access for fish and wildlife-related recreation. Under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's leadership, New York State is making a historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year commitment to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. The Governor's 2015-16 Executive Budget allocates $110 million toward this initiative. |