F+44

{
FLANAGAN LECISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING
SENATOR IOHN
2nd DISTRICT Room 817
'.
Albany, NewYork 12247
Chair
collittee :1!lrrions t8) 455-2Q7 |
THE SENATE 15

FaxlStB) 426-6904
Committees
AginC
STATE OF NEW YORK DISTRICT
Higher Education 260 Middle Country Road

Insurance Suite 203

LaboI Smithtown, New York I 1787

Transportation 161u 36t-2154
Fax 163l) 361-5367
Veterans, Homeland Security
& Military Affairs INTERNET
tm.senatorflanagan.com
January 24,2007 flanagan@senate.state.ny.us

Honorable Mary Lou Rath, Chair

Committee on Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development
New York State Senate
Legislative Office Building, Rm. 310
Albany, New York 12247

"Dear
Senator Rath:

Pursuant to New York State Senate Rule VII, Section 6, entitled Nominations, I hereby
respectfully request an oppoffunity to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism,
Recreation and Sports Development at the time a hearing is scheduled to consider the nomination of
Carol Ash as Commissioner of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical
Preservation (OPRHP).

As representative of the Second Senate District, I am keenly interested in the future

preseruation, management and development of newly designated parkland which is now considered
part of the Nissequogue River State Park. In a recent conversation with nominee Carol Ash, serious
questions were raised which suggest that this recent transfer into the state park system is now being
reviewed and reconsidered bv the new Executive Administration.

Such actions are troubling to me and should be equally troubling to state legislators and
environmentalists across New York State. As this nominee seeks our approval for appointment as
lead steward of all New York State parkland, it is incumbent upon us to clearly ascertain her
intentions and the future administrative public policies for not only Nissequogue River State park,
but for all state parks. As always, I welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter in detail with you
and all sitting members of your committee before a nomination hearing is held.

Thank vou for vour considerati attention to this request.

J. Flanagan

Enclosures

tJ