September 19, 2007

REGULATING DISTRICT POSTS ANSWERS TO PERMIT SYSTEM QUESTIONS

This is the link for the questions and answers from the summer 2007 public comment period: http://www.hrbrrd.com/psqanda2007.pdf

July 10, 2007

REGULATING DISTRICT SCHEDULES SUMMER PUBLIC MEETINGS
 FOR PERMIT SYSTEM RULES

MEETING AGENDA POSTED ON WEBSITE

 The Hudson River - Black River Regulating District has scheduled and established an agenda for three summer meetings to gather public input regarding the revised draft rules for the permit system at Great Sacandaga Lake.  The meetings are scheduled for:

•  Monday, July 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northville Central School, 608 South Third Street, Northville, NY 12134
•  Saturday, July 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Mayfield High School, 27 School Street, Mayfield, NY 12117
•  Wednesday, August 1 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Northville Central School, 608 South Third Street, Northville, NY 12134
 
The revised draft rules were developed from draft rules considered at public meetings last year and recommendations from an Advisory Committee established by the Regulating District Board.  “On behalf of the Board members of the Hudson River - Black River Regulating District, I would like to express their appreciation to the Advisory Committee as well as members of the public who made recommendations for the rules,” stated Glenn A. LaFave, Executive Director.  “The Board reviewed and seriously considered all of the recommendations from the Advisory Committee and other public input.  In formulating these revised draft rules, approximately 70 percent of the rules were directly accepted from the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.  Another 18 percent of the rules reflect, in part, recommendations from the Advisory Committee or previously submitted public comments.”

“When planning these meetings, the Regulating District Board incorporated requests from the public,” stated Mr. LaFave.  “The Board was asked to have some meetings during the day, to have the meetings on different days of the week, and to have a meeting on the weekend.  

Also, the agenda for all three meetings is the same, so participants can speak about any rule at any meeting.  In addition, the Board wants to provide everyone the opportunity to benefit from the answers to questions about the permit system rules asked at these meetings and submitted in writing.  After the public comment period ends, the questions about the permit system rules, and the answers, will be posted on the Regulating District’s website at http://www.hrbrrd.com/summermeetings.html and will be available in writing upon request.”

In addition to comments at the public meetings this summer, written public comments will be received from July 16 to August 31, 2007.  From the public input, the Regulating District Board plans to develop proposed rules by September 10.  These proposed rules will be sent to the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform for review.

The Regulating District hopes to formally adopt the rules by December 10, 2007 and forward them to the Department of Environmental Conservation for review and approval.  After DEC approval, the new rules could be implemented in 2008, with the exception of permit system fees which have been capped until 2010.

The revised draft rules have been posted on the Regulating District’s website at http://www.hrbrrd.com/revgslpsrules.html.  Copies of the rules are available at the Regulating District’s Albany and Sacandaga (Mayfield) offices and will also be available at the summer public meetings.  The meeting agenda is at http://www.hrbrrd.com/agendapm07.pdf
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