Are Adirondack green groups preparing to challenge the Local Government Review Board?
In April, NCPR reported on the growing influence of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, an entity created by the state legislature in the 1970s to provide oversight over and feedback to the Adirondack Park Agency.
The LGRB receives taxpayer funding and under the leadership of Fred Monroe, head of the Warren County board of supervisors, has taken a leading role in opposing a number of environmental initiatives.
The Review Board is backing a moratorium on expansion of the forest preserve, has argued against expanding regulations of private land in the Park, and is attempting to block the confirmation of boat builder Peter Hornbeck to the APA board.
Environmental groups have grumbled for years that Monroe may have exceeded his legislative mandate, and perhaps used taxpayer dollars to fund political lobbying efforts.
Asked about those concerns, Monroe says, “If you look very narrowly at the statutory language, I can see where people could make the argument.”
But he says he’s following the spirit of the legislature’s intent and adds: “I do think it’s important to have a counter-acting force [to the environmental movement].”
Now it appears that green groups are considering a challenge to the LGRB’s agenda.
The Adirondack Council and Protect the Adirondacks have both sent Freedom of Information requests to Monroe, demanding disclosure of financial information and details about how the Board is working to influence public opinion.
In a FOIL request sent April 22nd, Protect requests “all contracts with, invoices submitted by, work produced by, all advertising, public relations, and communications advisers” along with “all financial reports.”
The Council sent a similar letter last week, on June 23rd.
In an email sent today, Monroe says “the documents sought by Protect the Adirondacks have been provided. The Review Board is reviewing the Adirondack Council’s request.”
So what do you think?
Is this a case of environmental groups looking to challenge a prominent advocate for the pro-development and pro-local government cause?
Or is it a legitimate inquiry into whether tax dollars are being spent to fund one side of the political debate over the Park’s future?
Fred Monroe has some good ideas and the green groups are too extreme on some issues. That being said, they have every right to make a FOIL request.
When TNC sold land to the state some people and groups questioned whether they had bent the rules. Why shouldn’t LGRB be scrutinized too? Abuse (on both sides) is what happens when citizens stop paying attention.
Brian, it’s good to have you back. The news blog is much more interesting with you posting.
The APLGRB is the messenger in the North Country…Adirondack Council and other environmental organizations response…kill the messenger!
The so called Green groups are just looking to boost donations to their causes/jobs.
There is only one green in this country. It’s the color of money.
If the green groups really cared about the environment and do really believe in global warming and truly want to stop it, why don’t they argue for a 50% reduction in the world population?
More people equals more pollution.
Of course this is a hard sell because governments, businesses, religions and green groups too want more people so they can get more money.
The beat goes on.
Joe Rota: LGRB is the voice of the Adirondack Local Gov’t to the APA, not the messenger of the North Country. Anything they do that does not directly concern APA decisions is outside of they legislative mandate. Forest preserve purchases do not involve APA, any money spent by LGRB on fighting new forest preserve purchases is inappropriate. After purchase, the APA is involved its classification and LGRB should be involved.
How would Monroe feel about APA deciding to regulate based on the “spirit of the law”? If he thinks the LGRB should have a bigger mission, he should lobby to change the law.
My understanding is that the LGRB was created under the same law that established the APA, and that the duties of the LGRB are to advise the APA, which, again by law, includes the DEC commissioner. I understand this to mean that the LGRB is supposed to act like a steering committee. However, it’s common knowledge that both APA and DEC refuse to follow the advice provided by LGRB.
I became aware of NY executive Law 803 only after my family recreational club’s existence became threatened by the DEC’s collective state land acquisition policies.
Apparently, the LGRB has found inherent flaws in DEC’s public policy, and there is strong evidence that there is a direct correlation between state land ownership and poverty in the Adirondacks.
I think we would be well served if APA and DEC accepted LGRB’s advice like they are supposed to.
Peter Heckman, please explain how the DEC threatened to acquire your families land! I am skeptical.
Based on your logic, LGRB also has oversight of the Dept of State and Dept of Economic Development. Sorry, they do not.
I think Fred Monroe has brought up some good points lately with regards to how state lands are acquired, classified, and managed in the Adirondacks. I am not sure whether he is overstepping his mandate. I personally do not know enough about the LGRB and how it was created. I do know that they have no vote on the APA board. They can only offer their two cents; which seems to be viewed by the APA as exactly that (two cents).
It seems to me that Mr. Monroe is doing what the rest of these agencies and advocacy groups do; promote their agenda. If that is beyond his group’s mandate then he should stop and find some other way to promote his agenda (just like all of the other state funded groups should).
I am sure that Fred Monroe thinks he is doing what is right, just as those who are challenging him feel that they are right. The reason I tend to side with Mr. Monroe is that I honestly believe the cards are stacked in favor of the environmental groups. They seem to have the political clout at the moment. I have nothing against a healthy environment, or large tracts of protected land, but I do think there is a point where enough is enough. I also happen to think that these local environmental groups spend most of their time (and their donor’s money) justifying their own existance, not protecting the environment.
To really comment on this issue it would be good to see the text of the statute that created the LGRB. My sense is just by definition it is to give Local Government (albeit a non-voting )voice at the APA table. With respect to Mr. Monroes position on state land purchases and the Hornbeck APA apointment it would be interesting to poll the 103 towns and villages within the Park regarding these items. My sense is the numbers would overwhelmingly support the postions stated by Fred. Finally I recall John Sheehan of the Adirondack Council responding to an Adirondack Developer who attempted to correct some of his misinformation “Its the age old ploy, if you don’t like the message attack the messanger” This quote now applies to you John.