March 12, 1997
Governors Press Conference Announcing 96/97 Bond Act Projects
From Neil Woodward:
Most important, the Governor increased the New York contribution for Sterling Forest to
$16 million, up $6 million from his prior pledge. Finnegan explained to me that this
change in position from December 96 came about because of our collective lobbying for a
higher figure and a belief that they should come up with 50% of the shortfall.
February 18, 1997
Sterling Forest Purchase Agreement Signed
A contract for $55 million for the purchase of 15,280 acres of the 17,500 Sterling Forest tract in southern Orange County, NY was signed today between two, not-for-profit organizations, the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the Sterling Forest Corporation. John Gebhards, Director of Sterling Forest Resources said, "the signing of the contract for this partial acquisition of the Forest is a major step forward. Although we don't know all of the details of the contract, in principle we support this purchase and we thank TPL and OSI for their many hours of hard work to reach this agreement."
Funding
Gebhards reports that "we can now count $34 million committed towards the $55 million. There is $9 million appropriated last year from the federal government, $10 million form New Jersey, $10 million pledged from New York by Governor Pataki and the down payment of $5 million that came from the private sector. This $5 million was made possible by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust and the Open Space Institute, both contributing $2.5 million of their funding from the Lila Acheson and DeWitt Wallace Fund for the Hudson Highlands."
The rest of money, $21 million, needs to be raised in the next 12 months to avoid interest payments that will come due on the outstanding balance in the second year of the two-year contract. Last year the federal government authorized $17.5 million for Sterling Forest but only appropriation $9 million. "We need to get the balance of $8.5 million appropriated in this years federal budget in order to help close this gap," stressed Gebhards. New York State and other private funding sources are being asked to come up with the rest.
All the Forest?
Concern remains about how to protect the rest of Sterling Forest. Two thousand two hundred twenty acres will remain in the Corporation's hands. The Sterling Forest Corporation has indicated that they would propose a development of 3,000 residential units and 2.7 million square feet of light industrial and commercial space on 1,720 acres of this land. In addition another development, RH Tuxedo, next door has a proposal for 2,455 homes and 550 thousand square feet of commercial development, all in the Town of Tuxedo. Tuxedo resident, Mary Yrizarry believes, "This amount of proposed development raises the specter of higher taxes, heavy congestion and probably significant pollution right next to the newly protected Sterling Forest.
Gebhards states, "It remains the objective of Sterling Forest Resources and the many other organizations that make up the Sterling Forest Coalition to continue to pursue the total protection of Sterling Forest."
November 13, 1996
The president signed the Omnibus Parks Bill!
With last years appropriation of $9 million and this years of $8.5 million that makes the full $17.5 million that the US Government pledged to deliver. However there is still work to be done to raise the "rest" of the money.
October 3, 1996
We have just received word that the Seante has passed the Omnibus Parks Bill which
includes $9 million (first year's authorization and appropriation) for Sterling Forest.
The President is expected to sign the bill this afternoon.
Many many thanks to all of you who wrote all those letters, sent all those e-mails and telephoned so many elected officials... and did so many times over so many years.
No, we are not there yet.... but this was indeed a giant step forward.
Congrats to US ALL !!
H. Neil Zimmerman, President
NY-NJ Trail Conference
July 31,1996
House approves Sterling Forest Funding. The money has been appropriated by the House. It
still needs matching legislation from the Senate. It is tied to some Utah and Alaskan land
deals, but they are not environmentallydisasterous like most of the past proposed deals.
The spending authorization is still needed. It is likely to be spread over several years.
May 15, 1996
The Governors of New York and New Jersey have an agreement with Zurich Insurance
Corporation of Switzerland (current owners of Sterling Forest) to purchase 87% of the
17,500 acre property for $55 million. The remaining 2,220 acres border on the currently
developed areas that include a ski resort and a convention center.
The deal was brokered by Trust for Public Land and the Open Space Institute. It requires $5 million down payment within three months with the balance due within two years. Each state has pledged $10 million and there is $17.5 million pending enactment of bills in Congress. That leaves $12.5 million to be raised from government and private sources. The Federal money is currently hung up by bickering of Western Republicans who want to make it conditional on developing Utah wilderness lands.
The purchase will protect New Jersey water supplies, the viewshed of the Appalachian Trail and wildlife habitat.
Sterling forest is about a 45 minute drive northwest of New York City. It lies north of the New Jersey border and between NY Route 17 and the Greenwood Lake area. Route 17A crosses the northern part of the property.