Paper company plans park in Adirondacks

[Elkhunter]

Paper company plans park in Adirondacks

By Michael Gormley
Associated Press — April 6, 2004

ALBANY, N.Y. — A paper manufacturer announced plans Monday to create a natural recreation area that will give the disabled access to 16,000 acres of prime Adirondack land in the remote woods of northern New York.

International Paper Co. has agreed to provide the land for public use as a tribute to former chief executive officer and chairman John Dillon.

"Creation of this park reflects the personal, environmental and economic values that John holds dear," said John Farci, company chairman and chief executive officer.

The company, joined by state officials and Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks, plans to develop recreation facilities at Grampus and Handsome lakes, about 100 miles northwest of Albany.

The plan involves offering canoeing, fishing, hiking and deer hunting on land that has been forested for more than a century. The park will offer roads and special trails designed for wheelchair users.

"It really enhances the tourism potential ... and a lot of the barriers that kept people out of the park are coming down," said John Sheehan of The Adirondack Council, an environmental group.

The company will continue to own and cut trees on the land but has agreed to limit development. International Paper will also be eligible for tax breaks and compensation from the state for lost revenue.

 

[ELKCHSR]

That is a very noble gesture made by the big bad corportions that are only in it for the money at any expence with out looking at the environment as some thing to rape and plunder...
Good find Bill!!!

 

[BuzzH]

Elkchsr said, "noble gesture made by the big bad corportions that are only in it for the money"

Did you not read this part?

International Paper will also be eligible for tax breaks and compensation from the state for lost revenue.

Plus, they can still harvest timber there, so what have they sacrificed?

It is a good deal (for the handicapped), but theres plenty of incentive for them to do this...financially as well as a PR stunt.

 

[ELKCHSR]

So what, the Gov has offered it up and they are just taking advantage of it, if you can get past the $$$ part, it is still a great thing that happend...

 

[BuzzH]

Elkchsr, I agree, it is good of them to do it, but they arent doing it solely out of the kindness of their hearts....theres money to be made by them and also a chance to look good. I'm not that easily duped.

I just find it funny that you slammed the Californians paying tax dollars on the thread about oceans, then turn right around and support tax dollars going to this cause...its inconsistant.

I'd be much more impressed if this timber company would have turned the land over to the state and not accepted payment of any kind for it...

Unfortunately its always about the bottom line once you sift through all the fluff.

 

[ELKCHSR]

It is different though, yes, the company got some thing in return for the donation of this land, they paid less in tax's. Which really means they gave the land in leu of money. No big deal, actually happens all the time. Same thing as you donating your brand new what ever it is you drive to what ever cause just for the pure joy of giving it away, these things just usually don't happen because ones welfare take precidence over ones idealistic wishes. There is alway's a bottom line that must be met, whether it is an individual or a buisness. The issue with the Ocean is that the motives are different, they do this to get controle of the area and not let any one pass into and onto the area. I would also bet, most if not all the doners didn't just give their money with out a receipt they could use as a tax write off in the same fasion that big buisness does, these people have to make large sums of their cash dissapear to causes or they will have to "pay" taxes on the funds, that is how the system works. The big difference between how the money is portrayed is how the news media advertise it...