N E W Y O R K S T A T E Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Improving our Visitors’ Experience through Inclusivity, Diversity and Resiliency 2020-2025 The preparation of this plan was financed in part through a planning grant from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, under the provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578, as amended). Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, strictly prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age or disability. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility operated by a recipient of Federal assistance should write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington DC 20240. Equal Opportunity Program Director U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service 1201 Eye Street, 5th Floor Washington, D.C. 20005 The New York State Final Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement 2020 – 2025 Prepared by: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Completed: August 28, 2019 Contact: Diana Carter, Assistant Division Director for Planning Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12238 (518) 474-0409 Email: [email protected] Andrew Cuomo Governor Erik Kulleseid Commissioner SCORP 2020-2025 SEQR NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF A FINAL GEIS Date of Notice: August 28, 2019 Lead Agency: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Title of Action: Adoption and Implementation of the 2020-2025 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan SEQR Status: Type I Location of Action: Statewide This Notice is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations pertaining to Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review) of the Environmental Conservation Law. OPRHP, as lead agency, has prepared a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) regarding the proposed action described below (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2025). Brief Project Description: The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is prepared periodically by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) to provide statewide policy direction and to fulfill the agency’s recreation and preservation mandate. The updated SCORP serves as a status report and as an overall guidance document for recreation, resource preservation, planning, and development from 2020 through 2025. The document is also used to guide the allocation of state and federal funds for recreation and open space projects. The direction for recreation in New York State is guided by several themes, with associated goals and recommended actions. As a road map for recreation decision-making, these themes provide structure and support for planning and inform administrative and legislative action. These themes are: 1. Keep the outdoor recreation system welcoming, safe, affordable, and accessible; 2. Improve the visitor experience; 3. Restore and enhance the State outdoor recreation system with an emphasis on conservation and resiliency; and 4. Celebrate and teach history while promoting historic preservation efforts across the State. Potential environmental impacts associated with adoption and implementation of the plan, as well as mitigation measures that could be taken to reduce potential impacts, are included as a part of the Plan which, in its entirety, constitutes a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement. The Final SCORP/GEIS contains a comments and responses chapter as well as provides updates and additions to the Draft SCORP/GEIS as necessary. Agency Contact: Diana Carter Assistant Division Director for Planning NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12238 [email protected] (518) 486-2909 Fax: (518) 474-7013 AVAILABILITY OF FGEIS: Agencies and the public are afforded the opportunity to consider the FGEIS; this consideration period ends on September 9, 2019. Copies of the Final SCORP/GEIS are available for review at the office of the agency contact and the document can also be reviewed on OPRHP’s website at: https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx. SCORP 2020-2025 SCORP 2020-2025 CONTENTS SEQR Notice of Completion of a GEIS Contents Acronym List Acknowledgements Executive Summary ………………………………………………………… 1 Chapter 1: Introduction ……………………………………………………... 7 What is the SCORP? Planning Principles Approach Public Participation What is Outdoor Recreation? Benefits of Outdoor Recreation and Open Space Chapter 2: The State Outdoor Recreation System………………………. 19 Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department of Environmental Conservation Fish and Wildlife Office of General Services Canal Corporation Olympic Regional Development Authority Chapter 3: Trends, Issues and Needs ……………………………………. 35 Population Trends Composition of the Population Public Health and Parks Urbanization Universal Access Park Professionals Survey Recreation Supply Recreation Demand Recreation Need – Relative Index of Need (RIN) Activity Analyses Emerging Trends SCORP 2020-2025 Contents Chapter 4: Recreation and Resiliency …………………………………. 65 Climate Change Sustainability Efforts: OPRHP Sustainability Efforts: DEC Wetlands Looking Ahead Chapter 5: Goals and Recommendations ……………………………… 87 Outdoor Recreation in New York 2020 and Beyond Goals and Recommendations Chapter 6: Implementation ………………………………………………. 95 Funding Grant Allocation Partnerships Chapter 7: Environmental Impacts ……………………………………… 115 Generic EIS Environmental Setting Alternatives Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Wetlands Trends, Issues and Needs Recreation and Resiliency Goals and Recommendations Statewide Programs Implementation Cumulative Impacts Chapter 8: Public Comments and Responses………………………… 131 References………………………………………………………………… 134 Appendices Appendix A: Legal Authorization to Prepare the SCORP Appendix B: Wildlife Resource Values Appendix C: State Nature and Historical Preserves Appendix D: Programs and Initiatives Appendix E: Open Project Selection Process and Grant Allocation Appendix F: Supply and Demand Process Description and Notes Appendix G: Funding Programs SCORP 2020-2025 Contents Charts Chart 3.1 - New York State Total Population …………………………………………… 35 Chart 3.2 - New York State and National Population to 2040 …………………………… 36 Chart 3.3 - New York State Population Age 65+ ……………………………………….. 37 Chart 3.4 - New York State Population Age by Gender 2020 …………………………… 38 Chart 3.5 - New York State Population Age by Gender 2040 …………………………… 38 Chart 6.1 - LWCF Total Grants-in-Aid to NYS (since 1989) …………………………….. 99 Tables Table 3.1 - Day Use Facilities by Operator and Region ………………………………… 46 Table 3.2 - Swimming Facilities by Operator and Region ………………………………. 47 Table 3.3 - Boating Facilities by Operator and Region …………………………………. 48 Table 3.4 - Winter Activities by Operator and Region ………………………………….. 48 Table 3.5 - Camping Facilities by Operator and Region ……………………………….. 49 Table 3.6 - Golf Facilities by Operator and Region ……………………………………. 50 Table 3.7 - Public Recreational Facilities in NYS by OPRHP Region …………………… 50 Table 3.8 - 2017 Outdoor Recreation Activity Participation – Age 65-85 ………………… 51 Table 3.9 - Outdoor Recreation Activity Participation…………………………………… 52 Table 3.10 - Relative Index of Need …………………………………………………… 54 Figures Figure 3.1 - Need for Walking, Jogging, and Hiking Facilities …………………………… 56 Figure 3.2 - Need for Bicycle Facilities ………………………………………………… 56 Figure 3.3 - Need for Equestrian Facilities …………………………………………….. 57 Figure 3.4 - Need for Relaxing in the Park Activities ……………………………………. 58 Figure 3.5 – Need for Field Game Activities ……………………………………………. 58 Figure 3.6 – Need for Court Game Activities …………………………………………… 59 Figure 3.7 – Need for Swimming Activities …………………………………………….. 59 Figure 3.8 – Need for Boating Activities ……………………………………………….. 60 Figure 3.9 – Need for Fishing Activities ……………………………………………….. 60 Figure 3.10 - Need for Local Winter Activities …………………………………………. 61 Figure 3.11 - Need for Snowmobiling Activities ………………………………………… 61 Figure 3.12 - Need for Downhill Skiing Activities ……………………………………….. 61 Figure 3.13 - Need for Camping Activities ……………………………………………… 62 Figure 3.14 - Need for Golfing Activities ……………………………………………….. 62 Figure 3.15 - Need for Hunting Activities ………………………………………………. 62 SCORP 2020-2025 ACRONYMS Acronym Definition Acronym Definition AASHTO American Association of State DOS New York State Department of State Highway and Transportation Officials DOT New York State Department of ADA Americans with Disabilities Act Transportation ADAAG Americans with Disabilities Act ECL Environmental Conservation Law Accessibility Guidelines EDC New York City Economic Development AHR Americans for our Heritage and Corp. Recreation Campaign EEC DEC Environmental Education Center AHRI American Heritage Rivers Initiative EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMB APA Adirondack Park Agency OPRHP Environmental Management APSLMP Adirondack Park State Land Bureau Management Plan EPA United States Environmental Protection AT Appalachian National Scenic Trail EPF Environmental Protection Fund ATV All-Terrain Vehicle EQBA Environmental Quality Bond Act BCA Bird Conservation Area EST Empire State Trail BIG Boating Infrastructure Grants FASTA Fixing America’s