2001-04-25
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HUDSON
RIVER VALLEY
GREENWAY
COMMUNITIES COUNCIL
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~ '}~nabas McHenry, Chairman
~~r~~ ft Mantello, Executive Director
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April 25, 2001
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Hon. Constance Smith
Supervisor, Town of Wappinger
PO Box 324, 20 Middlebush Rd.
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
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Dear Supervisor Smith:
I am writing to help clarify some of the information regarding the Greenway role in
developing and implementing the Dutchess County compact, known as Greenway Connections.
There has been significant discussion and public interest in Greenway Connections since
Dutchess County began its leadership role in developing this voluntary bottom-up planning guideline.
As you know, Dutchess County has recently chosen to use adoption of Greenway Connections as a
prerequisite for funding under a county program, known as the Dutchess County Open Space and
Farmland Protection Matching Grant Fund. While the Greenway welcomes the strong support for the
compact on the county and local level, Greenway Connections is a local document, developed and
used by local officials to enable them to develop a vision for their communities. Similarly, the
Matching Grant Fund is a county program, which Greenway funding is not presently being used for.
It has been and, I assure you, will continue to be the Greenway position that such matters
must and should remain under complete local control. This position is consistent with the New York
State Constitution and the Greenway Act of 1991 that establishes the home mle authority oflocal
governments. That is why participation in the Greenway, whether as a Greenway Community, which
every Dutchess County municipality is, or as a Compact Community, is wholly and completely
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For those communities who have not adopted Greenway Connections, I hope you will give it
careful consideration. Enclosed you will find a brief summary of the benefits of joining the compact
including financial and technical assistance provided under state law. Iwill soon be contacting those
non-compact communities to schedule a meeting and further discuss this matter. In the meantime, if
you have any questions or would like additional information about the Greenway programs and
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to working with you and all of the communities of Dutchess County!
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ftmella R. Mantello
Executive Director
CAPITOL BUiLD!NG
CAPiTOL STATION I ROOM 254 I ALBANY, NEW YORK 12224 ! 518-473-3835 I 518-473-4518 FAX , www.hudsongreenway.stote.ny.us
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HUDSON
RIVER VALLEY
GREENWAY
COMMUNITIES COUNCIL
Barnabas McHenry, Chairman
Carmella R. Mantello, Executive Director
HUDSON RIVER VALLEY GREENWAY
COMPACT BENEFITS
Communities that choose to take part in the Greenway Compact become eligible for incentives
granted by the New York State Legislature through the Hudson River Valley Greenway Act of
1991. These incentives include:
The Compact Grant Program: 50%, dollar for dollar, matching grants for community
plannin and ro'ects consistent with the ado ted re ional Greenwa Com act.
Technical Assistance: Greenway planners and staff are available to assist Compact
Communities with basic communit lannin efforts.
5% Preference on State Grants: Possible 5% advantage over non-Compact communities
on other State ant rograms.
Protection from Lawsuits: Indemnification for law suits brought against communities
because of the acquisition of land or the adoption of local land use regulations consistent with
a regional Greenwa Com act.
State Agency Coordination: State agencies must, "to the fullest extent practicable",
coordinate their activities with Compact communities and conduct their activities in a manner
consistent with the Greenwa Com act.
Streamlined Environmental Review: The opportunity to offer a streamlined environmental
review rocess for activities which are consistent with are ional Greenway Com act.
Incorporation into State Laws: The provisions of the Greenway Compact must be made
art of State Environmental Qualit Review Act and Historic Preservation Act reviews.
Added Shoreline Regulation: Compact communities may regulate the location and
construction of boathouses, moorings and docks within 1500 feet of their shorelines.
March 2001
CAPITOL BUILDING I CAPITOL STATION I ROOM 254 I ALBANY, NEW YORK 12224 I 518-473-3835 I 518-473-4518 FA/. I W\WI.hudsongreenwoy.stateny.us