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Final Statewide Greenway Trails Plan/Final GEIS

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Final Statewide Greenway Trails Plan/Final GEIS Final Statewide Greenway Trails Plan & Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement April 7, 2021 Acknowledgements Erik Kulleseid Commissioner Tom Alworth Executive Deputy Commissioner Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning Ron Rausch, Director Diana Carter, Assistant Division Director Christopher Morris, Trails Planner Tana Bigelow, Park Planner Nancy Stoner, Environmental Analyst Christina Croll, Environmental Program Specialist Rebecca Odell, GIS Technician Ian Benjamin, Community Programs Coordinator Other Contributors National Park Service NYS Department of Transportation NYS Department of Environmental Conservation NYS Department of Health NYS Canal Corporation Empire State Development Corporation Hudson River Valley Greenway Niagara River Greenway Parks & Trails New York OPRHP acknowledges the many representatives from local governments, regional transportation planning organizations, non-profit groups, and other stakeholders for their contributions to this plan. Page intentionally left blank SEQR NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF A FINAL GEIS Date of Notice: April 7, 2021 Lead Agency: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Title of Action: Adoption and Implementation of the Statewide Greenway Trails 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 Greenway Trails Plan). Brief Project Description: The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) has prepared a plan for a comprehensive statewide system of non-motorized multi-use trails (Greenway Trails) as directed by legislation signed by Governor Cuomo in November 2019 (https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2019/A5035B). The Statewide Greenway Trails Plan identifies trail user types, addresses trail trends and issues, and discusses the benefits of trails. Input from a variety of state and local stakeholders as well as from the general public was solicited in the creation of the Plan. The Plan compiles a GIS inventory of existing and proposed non-motorized, shared-use trails across the state. The Plan provides a vision, goals and recommendations that will guide future planning and development of Greenway Trails in the State. The final Plan will guide decision-making, influence greenway trail development policy in state and local governments, and inform communities, organizations and individuals engaged in trail development and management. 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 FGEIS contains a comments and responses chapter. Agency Contact: Christopher Morris, Statewide Trails Program Planner NYS OPRHP 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12238 Telephone: 518-474-0409 Email: [email protected] AVAILABILITY OF FGEIS: Agencies and the public are afforded the opportunity to consider the FGEIS; this consideration period ends April 18, 2021. Copies of the Final Plan/FGEIS 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. Page left intentionally blank Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................................ i Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................................................1 Plan Vision 1 Statewide Greenway Trails System Vision: 1 Goals of the Statewide Greenway Trails Plan 2 Planning a Greenway Trails System 4 Public Survey ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Trail Inventory ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Implementation 6 Environmental Impacts 6 Summary 7 Chapter 1 — Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Purpose 9 Authorization 9 Planning Process 10 Vision 10 Other Statewide Plans 11 Regional and Local Trail Planning 12 Definitions 12 Accomplishments 13 Chapter 2 — Trail Types and Uses .............................................................................................................................................. 15 Trail Types 15 Rail Trails...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Waterfront Trails ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Trail Uses 18 Walking, Cycling, and More.......................................................................................................................... 18 Transportation .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Accessibility 20 Chapter 3 — Greenway Trail Benefits......................................................................................................................................... 21 Health & Happiness 21 Public Health and Greenway Trails .............................................................................................................. 21 Public Health Issues in 2020 ........................................................................................................................ 23 An Investment in Community 24 Access and Equity 24 Economic Benefits 26 A Regional Draw 27 Trail Tourism 27 Historic Preservation & Community Identity 28 Environmental Benefits 29 Habitat Connections ..................................................................................................................................... 29 Green Transportation 30 Open Space Preservation & Climate Change 30 Protecting People and Property from Flood Damage 31 Cultural Benefits 32 A Route Through History 32 Chapter 4 — Public & Stakeholder Input ................................................................................................................................... 33 Public Input 33 Greenway Trails Plan Survey ....................................................................................................................... 33 Agency & Stakeholder Participation 36 NY Statewide Greenway Trails Plan | Contents Chapter 5 —Trends and Issues in Greenway Trail Development ........................................................................................ 37 Technology 37 Demographic Shifts 38 Equipment 39 Funding 40 Programming 41 Trail-based Tourism 41 Ecotourism ................................................................................................................................................... 42 Trails as Transportation 43 Transit Oriented Development ..................................................................................................................... 45 Complete Streets .......................................................................................................................................... 46 Green Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................................... 47 Management, Maintenance, and Best Management Practices 47 Trail Management ........................................................................................................................................ 47 Maintenance ................................................................................................................................................. 48 Marketing ...................................................................................................................................................... 49 Sustainable Development 51 Green Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................................... 51 Equity and Inclusion 52 Climate Change 56 Greenway Trails 2020 and Beyond 57 Chapter 6 — The Statewide Greenway Trails System ............................................................................................................ 59 Trail System Inventory 59 Existing Trails ............................................................................................................................................... 59 Planned Trails .............................................................................................................................................. 60 Proposed Trails ............................................................................................................................................ 60 NYS Bicycle Routes 60 Trail Gaps 61 Statewide
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