New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 4 - Executive Orders (Mario M. Cuomo) › Section 4.176 - Executive order no. 176: establishing a task force on military base conversion

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, Federal military installations in New York State
					 are important to the economic health of the State and of local communities;
					 and
WHEREAS, these military bases provide employment
					 opportunities for local residents and increase commerce for local businesses;
					 and
WHEREAS, the closure or realignment of a military
					 installation can create severe hardships for local citizens and businesses;
					 and
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense has already eliminated
					 over 1,000 jobs at the Seneca Army Depot; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure
					 Commission recommended the closure of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and Naval
					 Station New York, and recommended major reductions at the Griffiss Air Force
					 Base, despite the essential roles which those bases provide in the defense of
					 the country; and
WHEREAS, on July 2, 1993, the President of the United
					 States accepted the recommendations of the Commission, and the Congress of the
					 United States did not vote to disapprove those recommendations, as authorized
					 in the Base Closure and Realignment Act; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that New York State provide all
					 necessary assistance to the areas where major military installations are facing
					 closure or reductions, in order to diminish any potential adverse effects of
					 these actions; and
WHEREAS, assistance from the State can best be provided
					 through a central coordinating committee which includes representatives of the
					 State and of the affected localities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARIO M. CUOMO, 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 order as follows:
I. Creation of Task Force
There is hereby established a Task Force on Military Base
					 Conversion.
II. Membership
The Task Force shall consist of the Lieutenant Governor,
					 the Director of Policy Management, The Adjutant General, the Director of the
					 Office of Federal Affairs, the Director of the Budget, the Director of Economic
					 Development, the Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Labor, the
					 Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, the Commissioner of Transportation,
					 the Commissioner of Social Services, the Director of Veterans Affairs and the
					 Director of the Office of Rural Affairs. The Task Force shall also include such
					 representatives of municipalities, businesses and community groups affected by
					 military base closures or reductions as the Governor shall choose to appoint,
					 which individuals shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Lieutenant
					 Governor shall serve as chairperson of the Task Force.
III. Powers and Duties
The Task Force shall have the power and duty:
1. to evaluate the economic impact of
				  scheduled and potential closures and reductions of military installations in
				  New York State;
2. to act as a
				  liaison with local governments, businesses and individuals who might be
				  affected by such closures and reductions;
3. to create advisory committees to provide
				  advice and input relating to particular issues or particular military
				  installations;
4. to consider
				  environmental issues related to the closures and reductions, including
				  necessary clean-up activities and costs;
5. to investigate possible military and
				  non-military uses of the bases by the Federal government, the State, local
				  governments, private businesses or others;
6. to assist and coordinate with local
				  communities in evaluating such possible uses, including consideration of the
				  potential for re-employment of workers, the need for construction or
				  reconstruction of facilities, the need for retraining of employees, the
				  existence of corollary economic development benefits, and the preferences of
				  local residents; and
7. to conduct
				  public hearings or other forums to obtain the input of local citizens and
				  businesses regarding potential re-uses of the facilities.