N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9 § 4.22
WHEREAS, New York is a rural as well as urban state, having the sixth largest rural population of any State in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the economic vitality of our rural communities is essential to the long term vitality of the State as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the economy of many of our rural communities is heavily dependent on agriculture and allied agribusinesses; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to insure, to the maximum extent practicable, the State programs effectively address the economic development needs of agriculture in particular, and our rural communities in general;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARIO M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby establish a Task Force on Rural Development to oversee the development and implementation of State programs, projects and strategies to enhance economic growth and stability in our rural communities.
The Task Force on Rural Development shall consist of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets who shall serve as Chairperson; the Director of the Budget; the Commissioner of Commerce; the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation; the Executive Director of the State Board of Equalization and Assessment; the Commissioner of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal; the President of the New York Job Development Authority; the Commissioner of the Department of Labor; the Chancellor of the State University of New York; the Secretary of State; the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and the President of the Urban Development Corporation.
The Task Force on Rural Development shall recommend to the Governor rural development programs, strategies and projects which must be initiated to address the economic needs of New York's rural communities and shall recommend to the Governor modifications of current programs and strategies as needed.
The Task Force on Rural Development shall:
--Form an economic development strategy for agriculture and agribusiness in New York State.
--Undertake a survey of the State's agriculture industry to identify opportunities and barriers to expansion.
--Conduct a rural needs assessment using a county level evaluation to identify community and job development needs.
--Promote opportunities for farmers to take maximum advantage of New York's diverse market potentials.
--Assess and address critical agriculture and rural transportation issues.
--Explore new farmland retention techniques to supplement the Agriculture Districts Program in preserving prime farmland.
--Encourage soil and water resource conservation and development consistent with the economic needs of rural communities.
--Encourage agricultural water management improvement to increase agricultural productivity.
--Support the development of rural housing, community facilities and central business districts.
--Stimulate new employment opportunities and provide for appropriate training and placement programs.
--Develop legislative proposals as necessary to address identified needs for economic development in rural areas.
The Task Force shall meet at the direction of the Chairperson and shall periodically report to the Governor on its activities. The Task Force shall submit an annual report to the Governor by January 1st of each year.
The Department of Agriculture and Markets shall provide technical and staff support to the Task Force. All other departments, divisions, and units of State government, including public corporations, are directed to cooperate with the Task Force and to provide such assistance as it may require to fulfill its purposes. Such assistance may include, but not be limited to assignment of agency staff and the provision of such statistical and program data as the Task Force may require.
Signed: Mario M. CuomoDated: August 23, 1983
[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 31 (George E. Pataki), infra.]
[FN[DAGGER]] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 5 (Eliot Spitzer), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]
[Revoked by Executive Order No. 2 (Andrew M. Cuomo), infra.]
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 4.22