Tug Hill Commission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBy Katie Malinowski, Executive Director<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nysacc.org\/wp-uploads\/Tug-Hill-Map.jpg?resize=780%2C501&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is the Tug Hill Commission?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThe NYS Tug Hill Commission (NYS Tug Hill Commission<\/a>) is a small, non-regulatory state agency charged with \u201chelping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill region.\u201d 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<\/a> and Map<\/a> are available for download. Learn more about the region and the commission in this video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nysacc.org\/wp-uploads\/Tug-Hill-Region-of-NY.jpg?fit=600%2C776&ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTug Hill Region<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s natural resources, and in 1998 passed legislation encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s people to chart their own future. The commission\u2019s 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 \u201chome rule\u201d by local government. The commission provides local assistance to the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201ccircuit rider\u201d program to serve the region\u2019s five Councils of Government that, in effect, provides shared staff for most of the region\u2019s towns and villages. A geographic information system (GIS) at the commission\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staff<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nysacc.org\/wp-uploads\/Tug-Hill-Staff.jpg?resize=650%2C420&ssl=1\")
Watertown Staff<\/strong>
Katie Malinowski<\/a> \u2013 Executive Director
Gwen Decker<\/a> \u2013 Secretary
Matt Johnson<\/a> \u2013 Planning Director
Jennifer Harvill<\/a> \u2013 Natural Resources Specialist
Felicia Passino<\/a> \u2013 Administrative Aide
Jean Waterbury<\/a> \u2013 Community and Regional Projects Director
Circuit Riders<\/strong>
Mickey Dietrich<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, River Area Council of Governments (RACOG)
Paul Baxter<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, North Shore Council of Governments (NorCOG) and Salmon River Council of Governments (SRCG)
Angie Kimball<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, Cooperative Tug Hill Council (CTHC)
VACANT \u2013 Circuit Rider (NOCCOG) Northern Oneida County Council of Governments (NOCCOG)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Editor\u2019s 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\u2019s 5 boroughs are counted as one, has 17 active EMCs), NYSACC has been highlighting regional groups around the state that have taken on some,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[31,33],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p56YFt-1GC","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6486"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21697,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions\/21697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat is the Tug Hill Commission?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThe NYS Tug Hill Commission (NYS Tug Hill Commission<\/a>) is a small, non-regulatory state agency charged with \u201chelping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill region.\u201d 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<\/a> and Map<\/a> are available for download. Learn more about the region and the commission in this video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTug Hill Region<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s natural resources, and in 1998 passed legislation encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s people to chart their own future. The commission\u2019s 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 \u201chome rule\u201d by local government. The commission provides local assistance to the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201ccircuit rider\u201d program to serve the region\u2019s five Councils of Government that, in effect, provides shared staff for most of the region\u2019s towns and villages. A geographic information system (GIS) at the commission\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staff<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watertown Staff<\/strong>
Katie Malinowski<\/a> \u2013 Executive Director
Gwen Decker<\/a> \u2013 Secretary
Matt Johnson<\/a> \u2013 Planning Director
Jennifer Harvill<\/a> \u2013 Natural Resources Specialist
Felicia Passino<\/a> \u2013 Administrative Aide
Jean Waterbury<\/a> \u2013 Community and Regional Projects Director
Circuit Riders<\/strong>
Mickey Dietrich<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, River Area Council of Governments (RACOG)
Paul Baxter<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, North Shore Council of Governments (NorCOG) and Salmon River Council of Governments (SRCG)
Angie Kimball<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, Cooperative Tug Hill Council (CTHC)
VACANT \u2013 Circuit Rider (NOCCOG) Northern Oneida County Council of Governments (NOCCOG)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Editor\u2019s 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\u2019s 5 boroughs are counted as one, has 17 active EMCs), NYSACC has been highlighting regional groups around the state that have taken on some,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[31,33],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p56YFt-1GC","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6486"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21697,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions\/21697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nTug Hill Region<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s natural resources, and in 1998 passed legislation encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest lands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s people to chart their own future. The commission\u2019s 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 \u201chome rule\u201d by local government. The commission provides local assistance to the region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201ccircuit rider\u201d program to serve the region\u2019s five Councils of Government that, in effect, provides shared staff for most of the region\u2019s towns and villages. A geographic information system (GIS) at the commission\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staff<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watertown Staff<\/strong>
Katie Malinowski<\/a> \u2013 Executive Director
Gwen Decker<\/a> \u2013 Secretary
Matt Johnson<\/a> \u2013 Planning Director
Jennifer Harvill<\/a> \u2013 Natural Resources Specialist
Felicia Passino<\/a> \u2013 Administrative Aide
Jean Waterbury<\/a> \u2013 Community and Regional Projects Director
Circuit Riders<\/strong>
Mickey Dietrich<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, River Area Council of Governments (RACOG)
Paul Baxter<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, North Shore Council of Governments (NorCOG) and Salmon River Council of Governments (SRCG)
Angie Kimball<\/a> \u2013 Circuit Rider, Cooperative Tug Hill Council (CTHC)
VACANT \u2013 Circuit Rider (NOCCOG) Northern Oneida County Council of Governments (NOCCOG)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Editor\u2019s 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\u2019s 5 boroughs are counted as one, has 17 active EMCs), NYSACC has been highlighting regional groups around the state that have taken on some,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[31,33],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p56YFt-1GC","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6486"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21697,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6486\/revisions\/21697"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6486"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6486"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nysacc.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6486"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}