Congressman Hinchey Receives 5th Annual Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, November 19, 2007 1:00 p.m. Congressman Maurice Hinchey received the Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award from the Watershed Agricultural Council for Mr. Hinchey’s dedication and support of the forest industry in his District and in the New York City Watershed. This award is in honor of Karl Connell, a Catskill Mountain leader in conservation and in mediating between the citizens of upstate New York and the New York City interests that protect its water supply.  The award was presented at Cannonsville Lumber in Deposit, one of the many recipients of federal grant funds directed to this area by the Congressman.

"I am delighted and honored to receive the Karl Connell Watershed Forestry Award from the Watershed Agricultural Council," Hinchey said. "The Council has been a critical leader in promoting our shared goal of supporting sustainable agriculture, forestry and local economic development, while also protecting the integrity of the New York City watershed. We are fortunate to have such extraordinary natural resources in our backyard, and we must continue to work closely to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from these tremendous resources."

Fred Huneke, Chairman of the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) presented the award, thanking Congressman Hinchey not only for his support of the forestry industry but also of family farms, together which make the Catskills the beautiful place that it is to live and work in, while also protecting the New York City water supply.  “Speaking not only as the Chair of WAC,” Mr. Huneke said, “but also as a farmer and forest landowner in the Watershed, I greatly appreciate the significant financial support that Mr. Hinchey has provided through Congress to the public-private partnership that makes our work possible and so successful.  We look forward to working closely with the Congressman in the future.”

The work of the Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program is made possible by support from the US Forest Service - Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and other federal, foundation and private sources.

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