Focus on a Regional Group

 

 

Editor’s Note:  With the slow disappearance of county Environmental Management Councils (as of the end of this year, New York State with its 57 counties, if New York City’s 5 boroughs are counted as one, has 17 active EMCs), NYSACC has been highlighting regional groups around the state that have taken on some, if not all, of the responsibilities of EMCs.  In this edition, we look into a unique organization, covering a part of New York State that contains only two CAC’s: The Tug Hill Commission.

Tug Hill Commission

By Katie Malinowski, Executive Director

What is the Tug Hill Commission?

The NYS Tug Hill Commission (NYS Tug Hill Commission) is a small, non-regulatory state agency charged with “helping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill region.”  The Tug Hill region includes 41 towns and 18 villages in portions of Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Oswego counties.  The most recent Tug Hill Regional Brochure and Map are available for download.  Learn more about the region and the commission in this video.

Tug Hill Region

The uniqueness of the Tug Hill region and its natural resources were recognized by New York State in 1972 when it created the commission. In 1992, the state legislature passed the Tug Hill Reserve Act, further recognizing the statewide importance of the region’s natural resources, and in 1998 passed legislation encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest lands.

Through public meetings and surveys, local people have repeatedly told the commission they want to maintain what they treasure most about Tug Hill: clean water, healthy forests, productive farms, stable communities, and opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation. The commission works toward these goals by building the capacity of the region’s people to chart their own future.  The commission’s programs and services are directed at strengthening local decision making, saving money through information sharing and training, and help in coordinating and raising funds for community improvement projects.  The commission uses a grassroots approach to help create a sound environment and economy for this special, rural region of New York State.  This is viewed by many as a model for fostering environmental protection and appropriate rural economic development in a way that retains “home rule” by local government.  The commission provides local assistance to the region’s towns and villages and helps them with their day-to-day issues. This, in turn, leverages conservation and sustainable development that benefits the communities and state as a whole.

The commission provides technical assistance to local governments, economic development organizations, and other local groups in land use planning, community development, and natural resource management.  The commission also provides skill development and information for local officials through workshops and issue papers on various topics.  The commission utilizes a model “circuit rider” program to serve the region’s five Councils of Government that, in effect, provides shared staff for most of the region’s towns and villages.  A geographic information system (GIS) at the commission’s Watertown office provides support to and cuts costs for local governments, and increases town and village mapping and planning capacity through the use of GIS and emerging technologies.

Staff

Nine commission staff work out of the central office in Watertown. Four full-time circuit riders and four contract circuit riders work out of their homes throughout the region, under the direction of local councils of governments.