New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Central Planning Office State Environmental Plan Files

Arranged roughly by subject.

Between 1970 and 1975 the Bureau of Community Affairs (headed by Charles Morrison), the Central Planning Office (headed by F.W. Howell), and the Office of Program Planning, Coordination and Research (headed by Henry Skoburn) worked to develop a state environmental plan on behalf of the newly created Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Office staff met and corresponded with other DEC officials, staff from other state agencies, outside experts, and local governments in order to develop a comprehensive plan.

The proposed plan went through various drafts, and hearings were held throughout the state to gather public input on the proposed document. Several versions of the plan were presented in succession to governors Rockefeller, Wilson, and Carey. However, a final version of this plan was never formally adopted.

The series consists of the files of F.W. Howell, head of the Central Planning Office of the DEC. Included are draft versions of the state environmental plan; correspondence regarding the plan's development and potential effects; comments received from interested parties on the draft plan; records of public hearings on the proposed plan, including ten (7-inch) reel-to-reel tapes of various hearings; news clippings concerning the proposed plan; and related records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.