New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 5 - Executive Orders (George E. Pataki) › Section 5.85 - Executive order no. 85: establishing the hudson river heritage council

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
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.