Bill to Create “Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway” Passes Assembly

Will be Sent to Governor for Review & Approval

June 20, 2013

Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R,C,I-Schoharie) is proud to announce that his legislation, Assembly Bill 7682, to create the Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway in the Northern Catskills has passed the Assembly after previously passing the Senate last month. The measure will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration to be signed into law.

“The Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway will highlight the natural beauty and rich history of the Northern Catskills and invite people from across the state and nation to experience what the region has to offer,” said Assemblyman Lopez. “This designation will help strengthen economic viability in our small rural towns, bringing tourism and outdoor recreation, and supporting our shops, eateries and other businesses. The entire mountaintop community will benefit from this initiative.”

The Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway will be a 41-mile corridor including portions of several state and county roads stretching from the Hamlet of Palenville to the western terminus in the Village of Hunter, along Route 214, as well as secondary loops on county roads throughout the Town of Hunter connecting the rich Cloves history (Kaaterskill, Stony and Platte Cloves). The project was named using “clove,” deriving from the Dutch word “kloof”, which means a notch or gorge in a mountain, wall or ridge. The word was chosen to honor the Dutch settlers who settled the pastoral flatlands and gorges of the Catskill region.

In addition to spurring economic development through tourism and outdoor recreation, the byway management plan also seeks to protect natural resources and unique traits of the region, including the mountaintop environment, Catskill Forest Preserve and Kaaterskill Falls, among others. The corridor management plan includes stewardship projects as well as improvement projects to the existing roadways, such as State Routes 23A, 214, Platte Clove Road, Greene County Routes 25, 23C, 18 and 16. These projects include adding turnouts, parking and viewing areas, picnic areas, and hiking trail access. The plan includes formulating an area-wide bicycle and pedestrian master plan as well as installation of interpretive displays to help visitors learn more about the history and environment of the Catskills.

“The synergy building from multiple initiatives in the region is coming together at the right time. With Governor Cuomo’s focus on building the upstate economy, how appropriate the Assembly and Senate actions are in passing these bills,” notes David Kukle, Town of Hunter Council member and a member of the steering committee. “Officially designating the Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway is complementary to other efforts which highlight the Catskill Park’s rich history, cultural significance and amazing outdoor resources, such as the Kaaterskill Rail Trail and the Path Through History.”

With the idea originating in 2005, the comprehensive corridor management plan was created by an extensive steering committee and recommended to the State Legislature in 2012 after being approved by the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board. Having been approved by the State Legislature, and assuming the measure is approved by the Governor, the designation will take effect immediately. However, implementation of the plan itself will be contingent on additional grant funding from the state, localities and private partnerships.

Assemblyman Lopez noted that the New York State Scenic Byways Program was created by the State Legislature in 1992 and is a project of the state Department of Transportation. Currently, there are 23 scenic byways in the state as well as three nationally recognized scenic byways. The assemblyman encourages people to learn more about the program by visiting: www.dot.ny.gov/scenic-byways.

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