New York State Temporary State Commission to Study the Catskills Motion Picture Film, "The Challenge to Our Catskills"

At the urging of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, as well as other local concerned citizens, the Temporary State Commission to Study the Catskills was created by the legislature through Chapter 688 of the Laws of 1971. The commission's charge was to study the Catskill region, which was identified as Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, as well as six townships in Albany County. The studies' topics were to include the conservation and development of the region's natural resources, methods to strengthen its cultural resources, social organization, economy, and general well-being of its residents, as well as methods to strengthen policies regarding public land and facilities. Studies were further performed regarding land development, environmental protection, and economic impacts. The commission was charged with determining how localities could positively interact with their neighbors while protecting themselves from unplanned population growth.

The commission existed from 1971-1975, and made several recommendations to the legislature in its final report on the topics above. Additionally, it recommended the formation of a Catskill Region Agency to promote economic development in the area on a consistent basis. However, this agency was never created.

This motion picture film was produced by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, with a supporting grant from the Temporary State Commission to Study the Catskills, which used it as a supplement to its final report. The Catskill Center also received funding for the film from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks.

"The Challenge to Our Catskills" was a half hour documentary film highlighting the major areas of the Catskill region and exploring the challenges of uncontrolled growth and changing patterns of land use. Upon its release, the film appeared on public television throughout most of upstate New York and was made available free of charge to hundreds of civic groups.

This film was transferred to the State Archives by the Delaware County Historical Association in 2011.

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