N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5.105
WHEREAS, Americans have been learning from the majestic Hudson River since before they had a nation to call their own. No other river is more deeply connected to our country's heritage. It has played critical roles in the exploration, settlement, freedom and prosperity of this state and nation. Today, the Hudson River continues to be an important commercial and recreational waterway, and one of the jewels of New York State;
WHEREAS, among many things, the Hudson River inspired an important American art movement, which took its name from the river. Efforts to protect the Hudson were central to the development of the modern American environmental movement, leading to landmark legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act. In recognition of its importance to our state and nation, the federal government designated the Hudson River as one of the first American Heritage Rivers on July 30,1998;
WHEREAS, New Yorkers have made a substantial financial commitment to understand, restore and protect the Hudson River and its estuary through many public programs, including the Hudson River Estuary Management Program, the Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996. This commitment, along with the work of many institutions and organizations, has produced a tremendous improvement in water quality and has contributed new knowledge to the practice of environmental management to restore ecosystems and provide for their public use, understanding and enjoyment;
WHEREAS, the Hudson River, like other American Heritage Rivers, continues to inspire us and to warrant our unwavering commitment to understand, restore and protect it. Just as it has taught and inspired us, it has the capacity to teach and inspire others around the world, so that they will also share in an understanding of ecosystem processes of rivers and their estuaries, and help us develop basic and applied science and technology tools for river and estuary protection and restoration; and
WHEREAS, the time has come for New York State and the many private and public organizations and institutions that work to better understand, protect and restore rivers and estuaries to join forces in the creation of a new institute for river and estuary research and education, to be located in the Hudson River Valley, which will expand and export our efforts for the benefit of the people of New York and the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
There is hereby established a Task Force for the creation of an institute for river and estuary research and education in the Hudson River Valley. Members of the Task Force shall be the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, who shall serve as its Chair, the Commissioners of Health, Economic Development and Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the State University of New York.
The Task Force, aided by the Advisory Committee, shall define the mission for the new institute; establish its official name; develop its business plan and organizational structure; determine its location and campus needs; develop its initial preliminary research agenda; develop affiliations with other public and private research and educational institutions and organizations; identify appropriate sources of funding; and search for a director and persons to serve on a governing board. The Task Force also shall have such additional responsibilities as determined by the Chair.
The Chair of the Task Force shall appoint members to an Advisory Committee. The membership of the Advisory Committee shall reflect a broad range of interests and shall include representatives from public and private education and research institutions and organizations, community leaders, public service organizations, and business representatives. The Advisory Committee shall aid in carrying out the responsibilities of the Task Force, and the Chair may create one or more subcommittees of the Advisory Committee to facilitate its work. Members of the Advisory Committee shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their responsibilities.
Every agency and department over which the Governor has executive authority, and all public benefit corporations and public authorities the heads of which are appointed by the Governor, shall provide all reasonable assistance and cooperation requested by the Task Force for the purpose of carrying out this order. Such assistance may include the assignment of staff and the provision of support services.
Signed: George E. PatakiDated: April 20, 2000
[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 5 (Eliot Spitzer), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.105