N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 5.85

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 25, June 18, 2024

Section 5.85 - Executive order no. 85: establishing the hudson river heritage council

WHEREAS, the Hudson River was the first great river encountered by European settlers upon their arrival in the New World and served as the link between colonial America and the Iroquois Confederacy, the Algonquins, and the Mohicans;

WHEREAS, the Hudson River is forever and integrally linked to the colonial and revolutionary origins of the United States through the battles in New York Harbor, Stony Point, West Point and Saratoga, and served as the gateway to a new life and nation to the 20 million immigrants who arrived via Ellis Island in the mouth of this great river;

WHEREAS, the Hudson River was the site of pioneering American industrial and commercial enterprises in the nineteenth century and served as the major artery serving the Erie, Champlain, and Delaware and Hudson canals;

WHEREAS, the Hudson River has been, and is in the process of becoming again, the home to a breathtaking array of wildlife including our Nation's symbol, the Bald Eagle, several species of Atlantic coast fish, ducks, geese, osprey, and a wide variety of plant life and natural habitat;

WHEREAS, the Hudson River inspired the Knickerbocker writers, one of America's first literary movements, the Hudson River School of Painters, and saw the birth of American landscape architecture;

WHEREAS, the Hudson River is a constant reminder to millions of New Yorkers and visitors that our destiny as a nation and a people depends on the integrity of our natural environment;

WHEREAS, the State is working with the Hudson River communities to revitalize our waterfronts and to enhance the historic, cultural, recreational, agricultural, economic and environmental value of the Hudson River; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of the importance of the Hudson River to our Nation and our State, the Federal government designated the Hudson River as one of the nation's first American Heritage Rivers on July 30, 1998;

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 establish the New York State Hudson River Heritage Council. The Council shall consist of the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, who shall serve as the chair, the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Commissioner of Economic Development, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the Chair of the Thruway Authority, the Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, representatives of appropriate bridge authorities, and any other such members as the Governor may appoint. The members of the Council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. Any member of the Council may designate an official of his or her agency, department, office, division or authority to carry out the duties imposed by this Order.

1. The Council shall:

a. Coordinate State activities, plans, functions, programs and resources in support of the Hudson River's designation as an American Heritage River, including programs and activities designed to preserve, protect and restore the Hudson River and its associated resources important to our history, culture, economic development and natural heritage.

b. Cooperate with the federally designated River Navigator, Federal agencies and departments, and local governments and communities with respect to activities affecting the Hudson River.

c. Periodically review the actions of State and local governments in support of the Hudson River's designation as an American Heritage River.

2. The Council is hereby authorized to call upon any agency, department, office, division or public authority of this State to supply it with such assistance as it deems necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order. Each agency, department, office, division and public authority of this State is hereby ordered to cooperate with the Council and to furnish to it such information and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order.

Signed: George E. PatakiDated: August 5, 1998

[FN*] [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 § 5.85