Research

Administrative History

At the urging of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, as well as other local concerned citizens, the Temporary State Commission to Study the Catskills was created by the legislature through Chapter 688 of the Laws of 1971. The commission's charge was to study the Catskill region, which was identified as Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, as well as six townships in Albany County. The studies' topics were to include the conservation and development of the region's natural resources, methods to strengthen its cultural resources, social organization, economy, and general well-being of its residents, as well as methods to strengthen policies regarding public land and facilities. Studies were further performed regarding land development, environmental protection, and economic impacts. The commission was charged with determining how localities could positively interact with their neighbors while protecting themselves from unplanned population growth.

The commission existed from 1971-1975, and made several recommendations to the legislature in its final report on the topics above. Additionally, it recommended the formation of a Catskill Region Agency to promote economic development in the area on a consistent basis. However, this agency was never created.