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Over the last several public hearings and in many conversations, Bethel residents have raised the issue of cumulative impact of projects; current, pending, and anticipated, before the Planning and Town Boards. It has been stated several times that the Planning Board and Town Board can no longer examine projects in isolation of each other; in fact, both SEQRA and our planning board process provide for consideration of the overall and cumulative impact of projects.

How is this truly measured? As an engaged citizenry we are at a critical point where it is necessary to not only examine; but to illustrate this notion of cumulative impact and what it means to our Town of Bethel.

We have done that by mapping current and future development in the Town of Bethel as a way of illustrating full impact within Bethel; and on the immediate areas of our border neighbors in Liberty and Thompson.

Funds are being raised to hire professionals and conduct research on the “cumulative impact” of high-density development and the intense, rapid population increase and stress on our infrastructure, human, and natural resources.

For an initial mapping, we worked with Geospex in New Paltz. We also worked with CEA Engineers of Bloomingburg to examine projects on the 17B corridor and their impact on our watershed; specifically White Lake, Kauneonga Lake and Mountain Lake.

We are currently working with attorneys Crystal Peck and Jeffrey Baker; and Stantec Engineering to help frame and present the impacts and deficiencies of individual projects.

Over the last several public hearings and in many conversations, Bethel residents have raised the issue of cumulative impact of projects; current, pending, and anticipated, before the Planning and Town Boards. It has been stated several times that the Planning Board and Town Board can no longer examine projects in isolation of each other; in fact, both SEQRA and our planning board process provide for consideration of the overall and cumulative impact of projects.

The Bethel Roundtable has partnered with Catskill Mountainkeeper to receive donations for this work. The funding is allocated, and the consultants are paid directly.

Catskill Mountainkeeper Inc., is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization.