Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

February 17, 2021

Dan Keefe | Brian Nearing
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov

Planning for James Baird State Park's Future

Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is developing a Draft Master Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft MP/DEIS) for James Baird State Park, located in the Town of Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, NY. The State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process requires OPRHP to develop a Scoping Document that describes proposed components of the Draft MP/DEIS. We invite you to provide input on the Draft Scoping Document. Please see details below.

The Draft MP/DEIS will include proposals for resource protection and recreational use, including continued rehabilitation and maintenance of the park's existing facilities as well as construction of new park facilities. Rehabilitation or improvements are proposed for park infrastructure, including the day use area, maintenance center, buildings, sports and recreation facilities, circulation and entry areas, as well as upgrading of the park's electric and water systems. Upgrades will be made to vehicular and pedestrian infrastructure. New infrastructure will include internet connectivity, new recreational amenities, and improved access to park amenities and programs for people of all abilities.

The Draft Scoping Document describes potential environmental impacts and mitigation of those that may be adverse. Areas are evaluated with respect to impacts include land, water, wetlands, air, biological resources/ecology, historic and archeological resources, scenic resources, recreation, open space, traffic/access, public health and safety, and energy, noise and odor.

An online version of the Draft Scoping Document is available at the following publicly accessible website: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/inside-our-agency/MasterPlans/JamesBairdStatePark/JBSPDraftScopingDocument.pdf

Non-digital copies of the documents can be obtained from the Agency Contact listed below. There will be additional opportunities for public input on the plan when Draft MP/DEIS is released.

Comments on the Draft Scoping Document are welcome via email or in writing (see details below). The comment period begins Wednesday, February 17, 2021 and comments will be accepted until close of business on Friday., March 17, 2021.

Email comments to: JamesBaird.plan@parks.ny.gov

Written comments may be mailed to:
Tana Bigelow
Park Planner, Division of Environmental Stewardship and Planning
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
625 Broadway Albany, NY 12238
(518) 474-0409

If you have any questions, please call Linda Cooper, Regional Director, Taconic Region at 845 889-3811, or email JamesBaird.Plan@parks.ny.gov.