link to complete article is here: http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2010/March/17/UCL_Belleayre-17Mar10.html

KINGSTON – “It doesn’t mean crap to a tree,” said Legislator David Donaldson, paraphrasing a famous Jefferson Airplane lyric.  Donaldson still supported what he argued amounted to little more than a local ‘memorializing’ resolution, having the Ulster County Legislature go on record supporting the long-delayed Belleayre resort project....

New Yorkers’ Drilling Comments Are In … Now What?

Protesters against natural gas drilling in New York gather outside of the Department of Environmental Conservation's public hearing in New York City on Nov. 10, 2009. (Susan White/ProPublica)

When New York State's environmental agency came out with a draft environmental review of drilling [1] in the Marcellus Shale in September, it set off a flurry of action for environmentalists, industry advocates and the general public....

A Shop of Her Own and Good, Clean Dirt

Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

Dan and Misha Mayers with their twins, Petra and Max.

That Mysterious Boy with the Boot By Brian Rubin

So what's the story with that 'Boy with the Boot' statue, anyway?...

• by Delaware County Chamber of Commerce

DELHI, NY (01/20/2010)(readMedia)-- For folks who like walking uninterrupted above the crowds on New York City's Highline – they should check out the Catskill Mountains uncrowded trails, ski slopes, and main streets for real winter relaxation. The Western side of the Catskills is the first mountain range east of the Rockies that accomodates a snowline at 1800 feet above sea level. Winter weather systems that move through leave a clearly delineated line on the mountain tops where there snow precipitation really cranks it up a notch. Understanding that most folks in the metro area don't think snow if it's not in front of them, the Great Western Catskills Facebook page now includes a Photo of the Day section so you can remember just what the white stuff looks like and be inspired to plan a visit...

link to complete article is here: http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2010/January/14/Cats_StreamBuf-14Jan10.html

CATSKILLS – The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which operates the expansive reservoir system in the Catskills Wednesday started a new program, the Catskill Streams Buffer initiative to help residential landowners protect their property and preserve habitats along stream banks in the Catskill/Delaware watershed areas.

DEP is putting $3.6 million into funding the program and partnering with county soil and water conservation districts.

State Senator John Bonacic supports the effort.

“They are very vigilant in taking care of the watershed region and the purity of the water,” he said. “They are the best riverkeepers that we can have for New York City.”

DEP and the soil and water conservation districts will help landowners obtain permits for a project or provide access to financial support, labor and materials as part of the initiative. The program will also offer free planning assistance and educational seminars to help landowners understand how best to protect property from damage and keep a stable streamside area.