Land Swaps on the Ballot
The Brian Lehrer Show | Nov 4, 2013
Brian Mann, reporter and Adirondack bureau chief for North Country Public Radio (NCPR), talks about the two ballot proposals that involve swapping land in the Adirondacks, one to settle a title dispute and the other to preserve jobs.
How the Question is Framed on the Ballot
The proposed amendment to section 1 of article 14 of the Constitution would authorize the Legislature to convey forest preserve land located in the town of Lewis, Essex County, to NYCO Minerals, a private company that plans on expanding an existing mine that adjoins the forest preserve land. In exchange, NYCO Minerals would give the State at least the same amount of land of at least the same value, with a minimum assessed value of $1 million [≈ 1965 typical CEO pay], to be added to the forest preserve. When NYCO Minerals finishes mining, it would restore the condition of the land and return it to the forest preserve. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?
