To the Editor:

Everyone we know is in favor of protecting and promoting the assets of the wonderful Thousand Islands. The questions are: A) Does a SASS (Scenic Area of Statewide Significance) designation do either of those things, and B) What are the economic and legal costs of this major state commitment?

We had hoped that there would have been a study to objectively and thoroughly answer these logical questions, but none has been done, and none is scheduled. Instead a consultant will be paid something like $100,000 to tell us that a few people answered an informal survey—and indicated which local views they liked. Quite frankly we think we knew all of them before spending $100,000±.

Then there are other claims floating around — but none of them were verified or analyzed by the $100,000 study. For instance, one assertion is that a SASS designation will increase local tourism. That sounds nice, but where’s the proof? The state has officially told us that they do no tourism advertising or promotion for SASS areas. None. Zero.

In other words, any increase of tourism will be based on money and effort we expend— which has always been the case. Is it likely that listing a “SASS” designation on ads we pay for will make any difference? No, because no one else in NY (or elsewhere) knows what “SASS” is, or what it means.

Another claim is that Thousand Island communities will gain more access to grants and receive points on grant applications. Again, that sounds nice, but where’s the proof? When Department of State (DOS) people were asked specifically about this, their answer was that they could not guarantee any grant-related benefits from a SASS designation.

We should absolutely explore and be open to ideas to protect and preserve our Thousand Island communities. However, we should not be so blinded by that worthy goal that we sign up for a pig in a poke. No Thousand Island community should agree to a SASS designation until there is a thorough and objective evaluation of its net impacts. Congratulations to the five municipalities that have chosen to vote this down—almost all of them unanimously!

The Thousand Island communities already have regulations in place. There are the town boards, planning boards, zoning boards, code enforcement officers, Army Core of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Conservation. We do not need more regulations from the Department of State.

Tom & Betty Chapman

Hammond