The Adirondack and Catskill Parks and the Forest Preserve are recognized nationally and internationally as areas of unique environmental character. The Forest Preserve was established by chapter 283 of the Laws of 1885 on May 15, 1885.

The proposal of the 1894 Constitutional Convention that the Forest Preserve be given protection and perpetuity by inclusion of appropriate provisions in the Constitution of New York State was approved by the people of New York State at the 1894 General Election, and such constitutional provisions became effective on January 1, 1895.

The Department of Environmental Conservation, as the successor agency to the Forestry Commission, that was established in 1885 to administer the Forest Preserve, has responsibility for the care, custody and control of the Forest Preserve, manages the 2.75 million acres of Forest Preserve in the 12 Adirondack and 4 Catskill counties and promotes the year-round use of such lands by and for the people of the State of New York.

The Adirondack Park Agency and the Department of Environmental Conservation are charged by law with the responsibility of preparing and administering the State Land Master Plan which addresses the care, custody and control of the Forest Preserve within the Adirondack Park.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Hugh L. Carey, Governor of the State of New York, by viture of the authority vested in me by the people of the State of New York, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Forest Preserve, do hereby designate the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as the lead agency responsible for the planning of events leading to the Forest Preserve Centennial decade celebration, and direct it to act in consultation with the Adirondack Park Agency in planning events with regard to the Forest Preserve within the Adirondack Park.