Mr. Joseph Martens, Commissioner New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, New York 12233-0001 May 26, 2015

Dear Commissioner Martens,

As the [title] of [organization], I would like to extend my support for Assembly Bill 5079/Senate Bill 1194. This bill would establish a line in the budget of the Environmental Protection Fund for the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership. As both a member of the HHR Partnership and an organization with an environmental mission, I understand the importance of the Partnership to the work of my organization and am eager to see its operation distinguished in the New York State budget.

Since 2006, the Partnership has completed infrastructure and environmental projects fundamental to the continued historic preservation of the Upper Hudson River, including the purchase of the American Revolution Sword Surrender Site, refurbishment of the Dix Bridge (which formally joins Saratoga and Washington Counties within the Hudson Crossing Park), creation of a pedestrian corridor in the Town of Fort Edward and the Fish Creek Trail Segment in Saratoga Springs, stabilization of the Susan B. Anthony Site in partnership with the NYS OPRHP, creation of the Colonel Baum’s Interpretative Trail in partnership with the Washington County Historical Society, and creation and installation of interpretive signs along the Champlain Canal Trail in the Town of Halfmoon.

Currently, the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership is working to re-tell the story of the turning point of the American Revolution and the significance of the Saratoga and Bennington Battlefields. The Partnership has a number of large-scale projects underway to further that work, including:

- • of and long-term planning for the American Revolution Sword Surrender Site, in Partnership with • of and long-term planning for the American Revolution Sword Surrender Site, in Partnership with the National Park Service, the Open Space Institute, the Natural Heritage Trust, and the Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield.
- • of a Gateway Visitor Center in Schuylerville, in Partnership with the National Park Service, Lakes to • of a Gateway Visitor Center in Schuylerville, in Partnership with the National Park Service, Lakes to Locks Passage, the Open Space Institute, Friends of the Saratoga Battlefield, the Natural Heritage Trust, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Receiving a dedicated line in the Environmental Protection Fund budget will ensure that the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership can complete these important projects, as well as plan for and execute future projects. My organization shares the mission of the HHR Partnership— to protect and restore New York State’s historic regions and its many educational, agricultural, scenic, natural, and recreational resources— and I support all efforts by the DEC to further this mission. For these reasons, I fully support A5079 and S1194 and look forward to the passage of this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Cc: Cc: Carrie Woerner, Assemblymember, AD 46th Kathy Marchione, Senator, SD Steve Englebright, Chair, Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation Supervisor Thomas Richardson, Chair, Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership