Established in the fall of 2020 in response to the increasing levels of use in the Catskill Park, the Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG), was appointed by NYSDEC Commissioner Seggos. As one of the members who was appointed to this group, I’ve had an opportunity to work together with a wide variety of stakeholders from across the Park, to look at use across the Park, study past work done on the Park, research work being done at parks across the country, and to develop recommendations on how to best manage the Catskill Park as we move into the future.
With sometimes difficult conversations around a number of topics, the CAG members worked towards developing an interim report that calls for several immediate actions to mitigate high-use impacts in the Park and then advances a number of themes for further study and more detailed recommendations in the final report.
“The Interim Report represents a great deal of research, hard work, and consensus building amongst the members of the CAG. The Interim Report, and the forthcoming Final Report, will also be roadmaps for the future of an inclusive, actively managed Catskill Park that welcomes visitors through locations like the Catskills Visitor Center, protects our region’s natural resources, and better connects our communities to the economic benefits of visitors. I look forward to working with my fellow CAG members on the development of a robust Final Report, and then working with stakeholders and the newly appointed Catskill Park Coordinator to ensure that the CAG recommendations are implemented.”
Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center
For me, one of the most inspiring portions of CAG’s interim report is the inclusion of the section on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles. This is the first major planning document for the Catskill Park where these principles are defined, discussed, and some initial recommendations are made to make the Park as open and welcoming as possible for all. It’s something that will help lead to change within how the Park is managed, how the agencies work, and how stakeholders like the Catskill Center approach all the work that we do.
I had an opportunity to discuss the interim report with The Capitol Pressroom and the conversation dives into some of the details of the report, my thinking on how the final report will go, and how we can work to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.
The CAG is seeking public feedback and encourages the public to submit their comments on the report to CatskillPark@dec.ny.gov by Feb. 3, 2022.
Jeff Senterman 