NEWS
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N.Y. Power Authority Announces Completed Application, Accepts Environmental Impact Statement for Tri-Lakes Reliability Contact: March 1, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WHITE PLAINS—The trustees of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) yesterday accepted the findings of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tri-Lakes Reliability Project, at their monthly meeting held here. The trustees also announced that NYPA’s application to the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) for a permit to build the project has been judged complete by the APA. A findings, also known as a findings statement, is a written document which states all requirements under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for making decisions on a project have been met. A positive findings statement means the project is approvable after consideration of the final EIS and demonstrates that the project chosen is the one that minimizes or avoids environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable. A findings statement identifies the social and economic, in addition to the environmental, considerations that have been weighed in making a decision and assesses the environmental impacts against the needs and benefits of the project. “The rigorous examination conducted through this environmental study process clearly shows the Power Authority has given the utmost attention to fulfilling Governor George E. Pataki’s commitment of balancing the sensitive ecology in the Adirondack Park with the immediate health and safety needs of park residents,” said Timothy S. Carey, president and chief executive officer, NYPA. “The recent February storm, which wrecked havoc with the power distribution system in the Tri-Lakes Region, surrounding communities and beyond, again shows the wisdom of the Governor’s initiative for this critical project to help protect lives and livelihoods in the park.” For NYPA’s application to the APA for a permit to build the project to go before the agency Commissioners, the application must be deemed complete. The APA notified NYPA that its application was complete on February 16. NYPA submitted its application to the APA on November 30 and received a notice of incomplete application on December 15. NYPA responded with the additional information and clarifications requested by the APA on January 9. NYPA has received copies of letters and resolutions of support for its APA application, including the Franklin County Legislature, the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Adirondack North Country Association, Jarden Plastic Solutions and private citizens. The Environmental Impact Statement, in draft and final versions, the APA application and related materials concerning the comments and responses on these documents between the APA and NYPA, are available for review at many local municipal offices and public libraries in the Tri-Lakes Region and surrounding communities. Many of these materials, with the latest documents to be posted shortly, are also available on the NYPA web site at www.nypa.gov and click on the link for Tri-Lakes Reliability on the home page. |