NORTH HUDSON -- Cutting trees on Route 3 a few years ago, Department of Transportation workers stepped on Forest Preserve toes.

The brouhaha called three state agencies to one Adirondack table to redesign a green policy for highways in the park.

On Wednesday, under perfect blue skies, DOT Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn, Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Curtis Stiles and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Peter Grannis inked the plan called the Green Book, setting precedent for interagency cooperation.

They met at the High Peaks Welcome Center on the Adirondack Northway and signed pages on top of two picnic tables.

Glynn said the Green Book, which is even printed on green paper, is a partnership reflected in policy drawn from "hours and hours of thought and care."

Calling the Adirondacks an "American treasure" connecting people and nature, Grannis said it is important for agencies to cooperate on policy making that works on both economic and environmental terms.

"This agreement renews and reinforces the state's commitment that necessary infrastructure work will be done in the most environmentally protective way possible. The Adirondack Park deserves no less."

Stiles said the Green Book sets a standard for management of the park.

He said that under the leadership of Gov. David Paterson, best practices now include plans for expansion of pedestrian and bicycle facilities and promotion of community assets.

"We don't mind setting the pace," DOT spokesman Pete Van Keuren said of the example the plan sets for other state agencies whose policies don't always mesh with land-use regulations inside the blue line.

It has taken years to hammer out a coordinated agreement.

Green Book guidelines were first initiated more than 25 years ago, said Mark Sengenberger, APA director of regulatory programs.

"APA has had a cooperative relationship with DOT and DEC for years."

But with DOT divided into three regions and DEC divided into two regions among the 6.1-million-acre Adirondack Park, communication channels can get crossed.

"We were trying to get all three DOT regions to have consistent practices in the park," Sengenberger said. "There were significant concerns on Forest Preserve issues."