Northern Forest Public Policy

Public policy can be either a roadblock or can pave the way for positive changes that will benefit the people and communities of the Northern Forest. As a regional organization, The Center relies on state-based partners to stay abreast of community priorities, and in turn coordinates regional outreach and advocacy to give the region its strongest voice in Washington, D.C. Read more about The Center’s Policy Program.

One key policy partner in New York is John Bartow, executive director of the Tug Hill Commission, a state agency that works with 62 communities to help maintain the rural character, economy and quality of life in this 2,100-square-mile area between Lake Ontario and the Adirondacks.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the challenges that rural regions face in getting state and federal attention for their issues,” says John. “We have less clout because of our lower population, but rural areas are very important to non-rural areas. They’re necessary for public water supplies, timber harvesting, agriculture, hunting, fishing, wildlife. It’s in the interest of urban communities to help address the needs of rural areas.”

John has seen big changes—the loss of manufacturing jobs based on natural resources, a tremendous swing toward recreation, and the shift toward renewable energy generation from wood, wind and water, which are all abundant in Tug Hill.

“Working with the Center and the four Northern Forest states, we get to weigh in on how this region with resources will respond,” says John. “We don’t want to be eliminated from competition nor get exploited for lack of control. Working as four states is key. We’re much stronger together.

“It is so helpful to have The Center staff focus on policy while we’re focused on day-to-day problems,” he says. “They tell us when we need to act on important legislation or funding, which minimizes the amount of time and work we need to put in. I’ve seen a direct impact. We’ve been able to get our delegation queued up for important legislation. I can deliver 62 letters from local officials, but I need to know when and be brought up to date on the status of the policy so we can act.”