M E M O R A N D U M


							March 22, 2011

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Conveyance of Permanent Easement -- College of Environmental Science and Forestry



Action Requested

      The proposed resolution authorizes the grant of a permanent easement for installation and maintenance of a fiber optic communication line across lands of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry located in St. Lawrence County.

Resolution

I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:
	
Whereas broadband and its ability to enable access to and use of advanced Internet applications is increasingly important to institutions of higher education; and

Whereas broadband is critically important to the State University of New York, especially to SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (“SUNY ESF”) and its mission to advance education, research, and economic development; and

Whereas the Development Authority of the North Country (“DANC”) is seeking permission to install, on land owned by the State in the Town of Fine, St. Lawrence County, a fiber optic communication line that would bring broadband capability to the SUNY ESF campus; and


Whereas DANC requires a permanent easement, the approximate location of which is indicated on the map attached hereto, to construct and maintain the new transmission structures; and

Whereas the Commissioner of General Services is authorized and empowered to convey easements in the lands of the People of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that the Chancellor, or designee, be and hereby is authorized to take all steps necessary to execute or approve in the name of and on behalf of this Board, all documents, notices, maps, or any other instruments necessary or proper to effect conveyance of such easement pursuant to Section 3(2) of the Public Lands Law, subject to approval of the Commissioner of General Services.

Background

	The Development Authority of North Country (“DANC”), a public benefit corporation, in partnership with ION, a for-profit company based in Albany, received $39.7 million in federal funds to develop a regional broadband network to connect more than 100 community institutions, including libraries, state and community colleges, and health clinics. The ION/DANC project will enable last-mile connections to 250,000 households and 38,000 businesses.

	The project will provide to the SUNY ESF campus, at no cost, broadband Internet access that will enable SUNY ESF students, faculty, and staff to engage in enhanced and emergency applications of distance learning and research, remote collaboration, video conferencing, etc. Given the national movement toward high-speed Internet access and its importance to education, the project will greatly enhance SUNY ESF’s capacity to fulfill its mission while supporting job creation and workforce development, as well as broader regional economic development goals.


Attachment 





















O:\Resolutions\March 2011\esf easement.doc
Board Resolution	-4-	March 22, 2011