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For more information:
John F. Sheehan, Communications Director
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Released, Thursday, August 12, 2004

ALBANY, NY—The Adirondack Park’s largest environmental organization today praised the NYS Legislature for reaching an agreement that would begin to reimburse Park towns for revenue lost due to a decades-old tax abatement program.

Both houses of the legislature passed the budget bill containing this provision late on August 11.

“This is the light at the end of the tunnel for many Adirondack municipalities,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian L. Houseal. “The legislature has made real progress on an important issue that the Council has worked to resolve for many years. We are especially pleased this funding is being allocated at a time of such financial uncertainty.

“The Senate and Assembly have taken a long stride in the right direction,” Houseal said. “Now they can build upon this strong commitment by providing full reimbursement in future years, and by also considering reforms to the tax abatement programs.

“Senators Little, Bonacic and Marcellino have been great leaders on this issue,” said Houseal. “As have Assembly members DiNapoli and Gunther. Their diligence has ensured that the funding the municipalities need and deserve is given to them.”

The Legislature’s actions followed the release of a report issued by the Adirondack Council this spring entitled, “Shifting the Burden: Forest Tax Abatement Programs in the Adirondack Park.” In the report, the Council pointed out that the abatement programs (Sections 480 and 480-a of the Real Property Tax Law) unfairly impact residents of the Adirondack Park.

Park residents have higher tax rates due to the breaks given to landowners that enroll in the programs and agree to harvest timber from their property. Enrollees can receive a tax break of up to 80% on their property taxes. Towns, counties and school districts are losing out on thousands of dollars annually in tax revenues because of the state-mandated programs.

In the budget bills passed late Wednesday, August 11 the Legislature has agreed to pay back a portion of the shortfall.

A sample of some of these payments includes: Tupper Lake School District ($102,400), Elizabethtown-Lewis School District ($96,100), Newcomb School District ($91,600), Essex County ($64,500), Franklin County ($37,500), Town of Newcomb ($66,900), Town of Colton ($42,300), Town of Long Lake ($38,900).

Some of the reforms to the programs suggested in the Council’s report include “green certified” timber harvesting, siting plans for recreational cabins and roads, and expanding the program to encourage other forms of open space and wildlife habitat protection.

The bill currently awaits the Governor’s signature. The Council will urge the Governor to approve it.

The Adirondack Council is dedicated to ensuring the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. Founded in 1975, the Council is an 18,000-member, privately funded, not-for-profit organization with offices in Albany and Elizabethtown.