Pause the Environmental Review Process, Environmental Leaders Request a Meeting with NYSDOT to Rethink Route 17

State and federal officials should rethink how to spend earmarked monies on an alternative, sustainable mobility plan for the Route 17 corridor

Jan 16, 2024 Hurleyville, NY – Despite strong local and statewide opposition, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced that they are planning to advance the NYS Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements Project. Documents cited in the project background reference a $1 billion proposal to expand Route 17 in both directions in Orange and Sullivan Counties – a move that will run afoul of state and federal climate laws, increase climate and air pollution, expand sprawl, contradicts documented transit/transportation needs in the area, and will fail to address their stated goal of reducing traffic congestion.

“New York State should not move forward with the out-dated, $1 billion proposal to widen Route 17 in Orange and Sullivan Counties," said Ramsay Adams, Executive Director. Click 'Read More' for the full release.

Join us on November 4th from 3-5pm at 1053 Gallery in Fleischmanns, NY, for an extraordinary art exhibition and panel discussion, Hope and Challenges within the Climate Crisis, featuring Dr. Kathy Nolan, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Senior Research Director, among an impressive lineup of speakers. The event showcases 'Atlas/Watershed,' a stunning collection of paintings, map collages, and monotypes by the talented Chichester, New York-based artist, Christie Scheele. Click 'read more' for the full press release and speaker information. Click here for event details.

Catskill Mountainkeeper and Catskill Art Space to present a screening and discussion of Michel Negroponte’s film Herd, on Saturday, November 11 at 5pm in the CAS River Gallery

A herd of shaggy Belted Galloway cattle is delivered to a neighboring pasture in the Catskills and instantly inspires a new film. The filmmaker’s growing fascination with the cows leads him to reflect on the modern idea of animal personhood. Michel Negroponte’s essay film is equal part rumination, observation and meditation. It reveals the cow’s essence and challenges us to think differently about our fellow living animal beings.

Join us on 11/11 for the local premier of this inspiring new film. 

Click 'Read More' for the full press release.

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, LAWMAKERS, & ADVOCATES RELEASE NEW REPORT; CALL ON GOV HOCHUL TO PASS NY HEAT ACT

New report by Concerned Health Professionals of NY and Physicians for Social Responsibility shows the many negative health impacts of burning fracked gas in homes, illustrates urgent need for NY HEAT Act to get off gas and protect marginalized communities

"Children and families should not have indoor air pollutants piped into their homes from combustion heat and cooking appliances," said Dr. Kathleen Nolan, a pediatrician and president of the New York Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Catskill Mountainkeeper's Senior Research Director. "We have worked for decades to reduce indoor exposures to second-hand tobacco smoke only to encounter very similar contaminants, such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, being produced by the indoor burning of fuel oils and so-called natural gas. The NY HEAT Act phases in clean, odorless, safe forms of indoor energy and phases out the use of combustible contaminating oils and gasses. Rather than continue down the mistaken paths of the past, we should take the opportunity now to begin our transition to cleaner and healthier forms of indoor energy."

Click 'Read More' for links to the report and the full press release.

May 12,  2023 — Albany, NY — A Forest Preserve group comprised of 32 organizations and municipalities applauds Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State legislature for the state budget, which includes dedicated funding for the Forest Preserve Parks of $8 million under the EPF’s State Land Stewardship line. In the final budget the EPF was also retained at the historic level of $400 million achieved last year.

From Food and Water Watch -- Today, 138 groups representing hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, sent a letter to Governor Hochul, organized by the Stop Holtec Coalition, urging her to stop Holtec International’s plan to dump one million gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River. A public hearing on the Indian Point decommissioning process is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25.

CATSKILL MOUNTAINKEEPER PRAISES NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION FOR POWERFUL LAWSUIT AGAINST DUMPING IN ULSTER COUNTY

March 30, 2023 - "The Department of Environmental Conservation and Attorney General have done tremendous and impactful work by holding illegal dumpers accountable for the trash and toxic debris they've dumped in Ulster County. It's going to cost millions to clean up the mess they made, if the pollution can be cleaned up at all, and the companies who illegally dumped the waste need to pay for it. Commissioner Seggos and Attorney General James are sending a clear message to polluters: our environment is worth more than your profits." 

Click Read More for our full statement.

Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Fiscal Year 2024 

Executive Budget Testimony 

Joint Legislative Budget Hearing, Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees

Testimony Overview 

Mountainkeeper’s testimony today covers the funding for the Catskill Park and implementing the Catskills High Use Advisory Group (CAG) recommendations, establishing and capitalizing a Climate and Community Protection Fund, supporting the Climate Jobs and Justice package, supporting sustainable agriculture, continuing support for our state’s Forest Preserves via the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), endorsing strong staffing at the Department of Environmental Conservation, passing the Birds and Bees Protection Act (BBPA), and Route 17 expansion. 

LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL GROUPS OPPOSE MISGUIDED PLAN TO EXPAND ROUTE 17 FOR 50 MILES THROUGH ORANGE COUNTY AND THE CATSKILLS

Transportation officials need to go back to square one and develop a plan that fits the needs of the communities, addresses climate, environmental and  justice concerns, and tackles the real infrastructure needs in the Route 17 corridor

Hurleyville, NY - “Our organizations are speaking with one voice, calling on Governor Hochul and state transportation officials to reconsider the Route 17 widening plan and to develop a new plan that truly meets the needs of our communities, addresses the climate crisis, and deals head-on with the real infrastructure needs in the Route 17 corridor,” said Ramsay Adams, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Executive Director. “We look forward to working with the Administration to develop a blueprint for the Route 17 corridor that becomes a model for the rest of the state and the nation on how to improve and upgrade critical infrastructure that addresses the  real environmental, climate and social impacts of such large projects.”

Click 'Read More' to view the full February 2, 2023 press release.

Final Report Recommendations Build on DEC’s Ongoing Efforts to Promote Sustainable Recreation, Diversity, and Protection of the Park’s Natural Resources

The Catskill Strategic Planning Advisory Group (CAG) submitted its final report on promoting sustainable recreation in the Catskill Forest Preserve to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos. Comprised of stakeholders with expertise in local government, recreation, natural resource protection, business and tourism, and other priority areas, the CAG was tasked in October 2020 with providing recommendations to DEC on how to address critical issues associated with increased public use of Catskill Park resources in order to protect these areas in the short term, as well as for future generations.