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| Scenic Preservation |
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Preserving and protecting the scenic assets of countryside and communities is important for both a healthy environment and vibrant economy, and requires awareness and action on the part of citizens and municipal decision makers. Aesthetic issues are real and evoke strong reactions from people - whether it's a proposed high rise that will block river views, a 150-foot cell tower along a ridgeline or near an historic site or park, billboard blight, or a major industrial development proposed in a rural landscape treasured for its scenic beauty.
And aesthetic issues are important. They deeply affect the way we feel about a place - whether or not business will want to locate or people will want to live there. They have economic implications. Many Hudson River communities are dependent upon tourist dollars for a large measure of their income. Both in its built and natural features, the Hudson Valley's rich visual environment is a valuable asset that creates a sense of identity and well-being for residents of the area.
Scenic assets are among those environmental resources protected under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The Coastal Zone Management Act provides for the identification, designation, and protection of significant regional and local viewsheds. The New York State Scenic Byways Program establishes guidelines and criteria for creating designated Scenic Byway in regions throughout the state through a locally initiated process. Municipalities have the authority to enact local laws governing the siting and aesthetics of cell towers, architectural design standards, the protection of scenic roads, scenic overlay zoning and open space protection plans. See Overview for examples.
Scenic Hudson advocates for the protection of such scenic areas and promotes tools citizens and communities can employ to achieve it. Whether or not the panorama of the Hudson River and the visual attractions of its villages and towns will be there for future generations to enjoy depends upon decisions being made today at the local level and growth and development. We work with local decision makers and citizen groups to address issues and problems affecting visual and scenic resources in their community and with state policy makers and regional planners to facilitate regional strategies for scenic resource protection.
To learn more about Scenic Preservation visit Overview, In the News, Get Involved and Related Links. |
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