Environmental groups sue over power corridor
HARRISBURG, PA. — If the massive power line proposed for our region ever gets built, it won’t be because no one tried to stop it.
Eleven regional and national environmental organizations have joined the growing opposition to the federal ruling that would allow power lines like New York Regional Interconnect to bypass state approval.
Those groups – including Sullivan County’s Catskill Mountainkeeper, the Sierra Club, the National Wildlife Federation and the Civil War Preservation Trust – said yesterday that they will sue the Department of Energy over its recent designation of a mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor, which includes most of New York state and all of Sullivan and Orange counties. These areas could be sliced by the 190-mile-long NYRI power line stretching from Utica to New Windsor.
The groups say the DOE violated the National Environmental Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act by failing to study the “potential harmful impacts of the corridor on air quality, wildlife, habitat and other natural resources.” They’re asking the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to force the DOE to complete an environmental impact statement on the corridor.
Pennsylvania has already sued the DOE, and several states, including New York, have voiced opposition. The environmental groups plan to file the suit Monday.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS/80110024/-1/NEWS
Casino decision is a "victory" for the Catskills
| From: | Ramsay Adams |
| Subject: | Press Release: Catskill Mountainkeeper on Casino Decision |
| Reply: | [email protected] |
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Catskill Mountainkeeper | PO Box 381 | Youngsville | NY | 12791
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Catskill Mountainkeeper files NIETC rehearing petition
Catskill Mountainkeeper files NIETC rehearing petition
YOUNGSVILLE, NY — Catskill Mountainkeeper has joined several other environmental advocacy organizations and state officials in filing a rehearing petition contesting the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) designation of two National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs).
One principal argument stressed in the filing is that the “DOE did not effectively communicate with states in determining the corridors.” Another point made is that the DOE has not yet completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the corridor designations.
“The Department of Energy, in its ruling regarding New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI), has not complied with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act or the Federal Power Act by designating these NIETCs,” Catskill Mountainkeeper Executive Director Ramsay Adams said. “Catskill Mountainkeeper is committed to fighting on behalf of the communities in the regions affected by this proposal.”
The NIETC designation would facilitate the erection of power lines by NYRI by giving them federal recourse when applications have been blocked or neglected by the state, as well as federal power of eminent domain.
For more information
Mountainkeeper challenges Energy Department in Court, January 12, 2008
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Groups challenge Energy Department’s Mid-Atlantic Corridor designation |
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Scranton – A group of 11 environmental organizations, including Catskill Mountainkeeper, Thursday announced it would file a lawsuit against the US Energy Department over it final designation of a Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. That designation could pave the way for construction of the New York Regional Interconnection power line from Oneida County to Orange County. The line, which could run along a portion of the Delaware River, has drawn opposition in northeast Pennsylvania. Environmental groups, municipalities and residents up and down the proposed NRYI route oppose the project. The National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor designation would allow it to exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire property. Wes Gillingham is program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “These corridors amount to a handover of states’ rights to the private interests of power companies,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. Joining the lawsuit are Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, Environmental Advocates of New York, Clean Air Council, Civil War Preservation Trust, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Brandywine Conservancy and Natural Lands Trust. |
Casinos Rejected from the Phoenicia Times, January 17, 2008
No Casinos
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne rejected the proposals of two American Indian tribes to operate casinos in Sullivan County earlier this month, effectively killing the idea of gambling in the Catskills and drawing complaints from various pro-casino factions in the region and state, including the Governor. For the casinos to move forward, Kempthorne said he would need to authorize the placement of off-Indian reservation land in trust at the two sites. He refused to do that.
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe wants to create a casino at Monticello Raceway, and the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe has been developing plans for a gaming hall in Bridgeville.
In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the state Legislature and then-Gov. George Pataki approved the creation of a total of three Indian-run casinos in Ulster and Sullivan counties as a way to boost state revenue. But final approval of the gaming halls rests with the interior secretary. There currently is no plan on the table for a casino in Ulster County, though towns is the southern part of the county have expressed interest in becoming home to one. And former County Ligislative Chairman Ward Todd went to contract for one during his tenure in office… although the matter was later allowed to lapse.
Both Congressman Maurice Hinchey and State Sen. John Bonacic said the presence of casinos could breathe new life into the Catskills and Hudson Valley.
and criticized Kempthorne’s ruling.
Officials at Empire Resorts, which owns Monticello Gaming and Raceway, held out hope following the decision, stating that they would continue to look at “every opportunity to realize the promise of jobs and economic development for the people of Sullivan County.”
The Natural Resources Defense Council, which has opposed development of Native American casinos in Sullivan County, Monday, said the decision by US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne not to approve them was “a major victory” for the people of the Catskills and New York State and noted that it is unlikely that there would be a reversal of that decision any time soon.
The Natural Resources Defense Council is concerned about the impact the casinos would have on Route 17 traffic, air quality and new development impacting the quality of life in the Catskills.
“This is a tremendous victory for Catskills residents who have fought to preserve the quality of life in our region,” read a statement from Catskill Mountainkeeper, a new regional organization brought together to fight the issue. “This is a great opportunity for us to leave behind the divisive battle over casinos that has divided communities for so long and look to economic development we can all get behind.”
Meanwhile, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has announced that it has filed a suit against Kempthorne seeking to overturn his decision, alleging the secretary’s decision is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, has no basis in the law, and constitutes an abuse of his position as secretary.
http://www.phoeniciatimes.com/olive/newsbriefs.html
Otsego County: Office to fight pests
Area organizations dealing with such issues as zebra mussels and water chestnuts will be getting some help, according to a media release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The agency announced the formation of a new office to focus the effort to combat the problem. The Office of Invasive Species will bring together foresters and biologists to work with universities, state agencies and nonprofit organizations to support research and raise awareness. Biologist Steve Sanford will lead the effort. Otsego County Conservation Association Executive Director Erik Miller said that having a specific representative handling the issue will be a big help. "More needs to be done," Miller said, but this move is an indication the problem is "getting the respect it deserves." The greater Oneonta area has not been immune to invasive species. In August 2006, efforts were made to combat an infestation of water chestnuts on private wetlands behind Oneida Street in Oneonta. That Eurasian plant grows thick and has been known to clog pipes, canals and waterways, affecting navigation and power plant infrastructure, according to Matt Albright, assistant to the director at the State University College at Oneonta Biological Field Station, at the time. Water chestnuts have also been spotted this year in Otsego Lake, where a cleanup day is held in August to target invasive species as well as debris. Zebra mussels have been found in Otsego Lake this year and were discovered in Canadarago Lake as early as 2002. Even though many of the invasive species have been around for years, "we have never had a coordinated system in place to attack the problem," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis in the release. The office will provide a system that threads together the issues of public outreach, funding, legislation and research, which is what Miller, an incoming city alderman, said he hoped would happen. His organization recently received a $15,600 grant from the DEC to organize and conduct a three-year program for the eradication of water chestnuts on Goodyear Lake. The program beginning in August will use manual means instead of herbicides. Also included in those DEC Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication grants was $28,139 for the SUNY Research Foundation to eradicate 40 acres of purple loosestrife and water chestnut from a wetland near Oneonta There is a total of $5 million for invasive species programs in the 2007-08 state budget for such grants as well as public outreach through Cornell Cooperative Extension and a plan to develop virus-free planting stock for fruit growers at the state Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. Plans call for creating an Institute of Invasive Species Research at Cornell University. Humans are suspected of spreading the problem of invasive species through infested wood, boat ballast, bait fish and other means. Beside prevention, fast identification and "rapid response" eradication are important, Sanford said. http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_361040024.html
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Watershed Corp. grants go to municipal projects; West Hurley firm gets $1M loan
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MARGARETVILLE - The Catskill Watershed Corp. has approved $500,000 in grants for five municipal planning projects in the Schoharie Reservoir basin and a $1 million low-interest loan for a West Hurley company.
Funds will go to the town of Windham to compile a generic environmental impact statement to identify the impacts of and mitigation for reasonably foreseeable future development; the town of Roxbury to do a comprehensive plan addendum and an impact statement; the town of Conesville for an impact statement for the Manorkill area; and the town of Jewett for a stormwater analysis.
The town and village of Hunter and the village of Tannersville will team prepare a generic environmental impact statement for the state Route 23A corridor through the town.
The projects are intended to curb future stormwater problems and turbidity in the basin.
In other action, the corporation approved a $1 million low-interest loan to Numrich Arms Corp. of West Hurley. The funds will help pay for a new 26,000-square-foot warehouse on the company's Williams Lane property to lease to affiliate Numrich Gun Parts Corp., the largest supplier of gun replacement parts in the world which employs 75 people. The building will be used to store the company's 175,000-item inventory.
For more information, go to www.cwconline.org, or call (845) 586-1400.
Nestle Looking to Build Water Bottling Facilities in the Catskills
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Nestle faces fight for aquifer for bottled water
Environmentalists fear plans for property in Orwell, Oswego County, could threaten Salmon River
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| By BRIAN NEARING, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, September 5, 2007 |
| ORWELL -- A water war may be brewing between a giant Swiss multinational corporation and environmentalists on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Nestle, the world's largest seller of bottled water with 72 brands in 37 countries, has set its sights on the region's deep springs under plans to extract water from the state to satisfy a growing consumer thirst. Last month, the company's North American division announced plans to buy a 450-acre farm in Orwell, Oswego County, for a 1.5 million-gallons-a-day, $100 million bottling plant. The property is several miles north of the Salmon River, one of the state's premier fisheries, and in the heart of the state's lake-effect snow belt. Nestle, which also is scouting for springs near the Catskills and in central New York, has drawn attention from Trout Unlimited and other environmental groups, which are concerned that pumping so much water could damage the Salmon River and cold-water fish like brook trout and salmon. And that's in addition to mounting criticism that bottled water wastes fossil fuels and worsens global warming. Nestle's foray into the Northeast stems from a desire to cut costs by producing closer to many of its customers, said Kirt Mayland, director of the Eastern Water Project for Trout Unlimited. Mayland outlined the group's concerns Tuesday in a letter to Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Mayland said environmentalists want a detailed study on how Nestle's proposal could affect the aquifer. They also want the company to support efforts to extend the bottle recycling law to water and other noncarbonated beverages. "We are tired of seeing Poland Spring (a Nestle brand) water bottles floating down our streams," he said. "This is a warning shot over their heads, that they should not expect to breeze through this," he said. Kent Koptiuch, resource manager for Nestle's New York operations, said the company is dedicated to maintaining the environment "in as natural a condition as possible." "If we find that any withdrawal by us would be detrimental to the watershed, we could walk away from the whole thing," he said. Koptiuch said years of study lie ahead for the project, which also needs state and federal permits. The dispute comes as the bottled water industry, which sold more than 8.25 billion gallons in this country last year, is under increasing pressure from critics who see it as a wasteful alternative to tap water while generating millions of extra plastic bottles. In June, the U.S. Conference of Mayors called for a study of the environmental impact. In July, under pressure from environmental activists, Pepsico said it will add "source labels" to bottles of Aquafina, saying it is tap water subjected to extra purification. Nearing can be reached at 454-5094 or by e-mail at [email protected]. |
Sullivan County, NY - Kiryas Joel Developer Proposes 2,000 Homes in 3 Towns
Sullivan County, NY - Kiryas Joel Developer Proposes 2,000 Homes in 3 Towns
Sullivan County, NY - A Kiryas Joel developer plans to build nearly 2,000 homes spread over three towns in Sullivan County.Simon Gelb is floating the idea of building 1,400 units in Thompson, about 560 in Mamakating, and still more in the Town of Fallsburg, on contiguous land.
Gelb met with Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, and submitted a master plan with the town on behalf of Brooklyn-and-Monroe-based Read Property Group.
That company has a stake in 11 shopping centers around the country, and several commercial and residential properties in New York and Chicago, including the Sears Tower in Chicago.
Gelb has since met with the town's engineer. In Thompson, he proposes building two units on 1-acre lots.
But he getting a frosty reception. "It's never going to happen in my town," Cellini said, that this project looks too big, he said. Cellini said he's concerned about quality and density of housing, and the stress on roads.
Cellini has already spoken against the project at a Town Board meeting. "I think we should save them a lot of time and money and say, no thank you," he said.
Gelb couldn't be reached for comment because of the Passover holiday.
Earlier this winter, Gelb submitted a preliminary plan to Mamakating Supervisor Charlie Penna.
In Mamakating, the plan calls for 560 homes on 893 acres, a commercial strip on 227 acres and some open space.
Fallsburg Supervisor Steve Levine said he hasn't met with Gelb and doesn't know his plans for Fallsburg.
Gelb is a known developer in Sullivan County.
In 2004, he brokered a deal to turn a 77-acre Recreation Farm resort near Fosterdale into a synagogue with a hotel and food, on behalf of the Satmar community of Hasidic Jews.
He has also played a role in developing seasonal homes in the Town of Bethel.
Penna said that he would be open to talking with Gelb.
But Penna doubts anything will come of the plans, saying developers come, unveil big plans and disappear. Penna said he hasn't heard from Gelb in four months. "There are five more (projects) just as big as this one," Penna said. [Record]
