The tracts purchased by the state were Indian Hill, a 490-acre parcel purchased for $2.25 million from the Scenic Hudson Land Trust. Indian Hill is located at the convergence of the Appalachian Trail and Sterling Forest and Harriman state parks in Orange County. The second parcel is a 144-acre tract called Arrow Farm Park in the Town of Monroe, which was acquired from the Orange County Land Trust for $750,000.
"Sterling Forest State Park's incredible woodlands, miles of scenic trails and unique wildlife habitats represent the best of New York's natural treasures," Governor Pataki says. "This acquisition will provide even more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the magnificent scenery here in the Hudson Valley -- while also ensuring that this land is protected for the benefit of future generations."
The $3 million purchase was made possible by an agreement reached last year in environmental enforcement actions in which settlement monies paid to the state by two companies were earmarked for open space projects in the Hudson Highlands. The preceding joint investigation by the State DEC and the Attorney General's Office found that the two firms had violated New York State environmental laws regarding the disposal of hazardous waste.
The largest settlement deal with the state was with Telesector Resources Group, Inc., of New York City. In April of last year, the firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of NYNEX, agreed to a $2.75 million settlement for illegally disposing of hazardous waste at its Material Reclamation Center in Orangeburg, Rockland County. Of the total settlement levy, $2.35 million was earmarked for land acquisition in the Hudson Highlands.
Sterling Forest State Park was established four years ago and is located within the New York/New Jersey Highlands, a 1.1 million-acre stretch of contiguous habitat from the Hudson River to the Delaware River. The tract links Abram S. Hewitt State Park in New Jersey with Harriman State Park in New York. The park is part of the New York State Parks system and is administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
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John Jordan
John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.
