Project Identification Number 8761.43
County Route 7A Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
Town of Copake, Columbia County.

Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation information for legal notice for public involvement and solicitation of public comments on the relocation of the Copake Memorial Clock.

Columbia County is undertaking a federally-funded project of roadway reconstruction and resurfacing along 1.75 miles of County Route 7A from Center Hill Road to NYS Route 22 North and South in the Town of Copake, Columbia County, New York. The Project will also include intersection reconfigurations, accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, address drainage deficiencies, and perform other safety improvements. The project purpose is to provide a safe, serviceable corridor for the community while upholding the character of the area. Additional project purpose is to address motorist, pedestrian, and bicyclist concerns, while preserving or improving access to the historic Copake Memorial Clock and community space within the hamlet center. This project is being progressed as a Categorical Exclusion in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act as defined in 23 CFR, Part 771.117(d) and as an Unlisted Action in accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act as defined in 6 NYCRR, Part 617.

Section 4(f) of the United States Department of Transportation Act of 1966 protects publicly-owned parks and recreation areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic properties. Before approving a project that uses a Section 4(f) property, federal transportation agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) must determine that there is no feasible and prudent alternative that avoids the Section 4(f) property and that the project includes all possible planning to minimize harm to the Section 4(f) property.

The Copake Memorial Clock is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, the clock is considered a Section 4(f) property. Seven alternatives have been considered for this project and each of the uses and/or impacts the Section 4(f) property.

Columbia County has evaluated alternatives that would avoid the use of the Section 4(f) property and measures to minimize harm to this property. The Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for the project is available for public review and comment. The public may submit their written comments to the attention of Raymond Jurkowski, Commissioner of Public Works, Columbia County Public Works, PO Box 324, Hudson, New York 12534 or Raymond.jurkowski@columbiacountyny.gov. There is a 45-day review time-frame for this document, which ends on September 27, 2026. Comments received will be shared with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to allow the FHWA to consider approval of the Use of this Section 4(f) property. The Town of Copake is aware of the project and Columbia County has coordinated with the Town throughout the process.

An electronic copy of the Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation is available for public inspection on Columbia County’s and Town of Copake’s website. Hard copies are also available for on-site inspection at the Columbia County Public Works Department.

Draft Individual Section 4(f) Evaluation