Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting
Of the Basha Kill Area Association
Sunday, October 22, 2006

Annual Report 2006

BKAA Board:
We welcomed back Jodi Rubenstein after a brief “leave of absence.” Meanwhile, Jon Reed and Gregg Squires joined the board as new members. Jon had been attending critical town meetings and participating in advocacy initiatives prior to his board appointment. Many know Gregg as a fixture at numerous Town Board sessions where he was a tireless proponent of retaining the Wurtsboro Airport as an airport without accompanying unacceptable expansion. Gregg is also a technical wizard, which has been a real plus for our organization.

Sadly, Hattie Grifo leaves the board this year, since her position as Director of the Cragsmoor Free Library consumes much of her time. Hattie was Treasurer for two years and was part of a board committee that assisted our web designers in creating thebashakill.org website. We appreciate everything you have done on behalf of the BKAA.

Developments in the Basha Kill Watershed:
This year continued the seemingly established pattern of heightened activity with Yukiguni Maitake, New York Regional Interconnect power line, Casinos Annexation, Proposed Zoning Amendments and Steep Slopes Law, Wurtsboro Airport, Kingboro/Kingwood subdivisions, and the Basher Kill Subdivision being the prime instigators of our involvement.

Yukiguni Maitake

• December 22, 2005 – Four variances are approved by Mamakating’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
• January 22, 2006 – Tish and Kevin Moore file a lawsuit against the ZBA and Yukiguni.
• February 28 – County Supreme Court Judge Robert Sackett rules against the BKAA in its lawsuit, although he upholds our standing.
• Subsequently, the BKAA decides not to appeal as a related decision by the Appellate Division goes against us.
• March 17 – Judge Sackett “finds no merits” in the Moore’s claims.
• April 27 – Public hearing on Yukiguni’s site plan and special use permit before the Planning Board. Congressman Maurice Hinchey, through his District Representative, Chris White, publicly opposes the mushroom factory.
• August 22 – The Planning Board approves Yukiguni’s site plan and special use permit, giving the applicant 18 months to fulfill myriad conditions.
• September 19 – The BKAA files a lawsuit against the Planning Board and Yukiguni over the site plan and special use permit confirmations.

New York Regional Interconnect Power Line (NYRI)

• June 2006 – The BKAA board passes a resolution opposing the NYRI power line.
• Paula Medley speaks at an anti – NYRI rally in Deerpark.
• The BKAA formally asks the Public Service Commission to be on its mailing list in order to be apprised of crucial upcoming NYRI processes.

Casinos

• September 12, 2006 – The Bureau of Indian Affairs opens a 30 day public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed St. Regis Mohawk casino at the Monticello Raceway. The BIA will be in a position to approve the application before the end of the year.
• Approval means the BIA will take into trust for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe 30 acres of land at the racetrack on which the casino will be built.
• Governor Pataki and apparently Eliot Spitzer, if elected, will endorse this action.

Annexation

• On Thursday, November 2, 2006, 6 PM, at the Bloomingburg Village Hall, there will be a joint public hearing with the Town of Mamakating and Village boards for the purpose of determining whether to approve or disapprove annexation of several town properties into the Village of Bloomingburg. These lands total over 200 acres and include 17 acres of the Town Park. This annexation is a precursor to several mega undertakings proposed for construction in the Bloomingburg area.
• Paula Medley will represent the BKAA at this hearing.

Proposed Zoning Amendments

• On July 18, 2006, there was a public hearing before the Town Board to discuss possible modifications to the Zoning Ordinance including establishment of the Planned Residential Development (PRD) floating use in all residential areas except the Ridge and Valley Protection Zone.
• Speaking on behalf of the BKAA, Paula Medley highlighted our organization’s concerns, especially decrying the PRD floating use being permitted in the very sensitive Mountain Greenbelt Zone.
• There has been no further action by the Town Board since the public hearing.

Proposed Steep Slopes Law

• After lying dormant for over a year, a proposed Steep Slopes Law, regulating construction on slopes whose grades are 35% or greater was resurrected by the Town Board in Spring 2006.
• When the law was initially presented and later discussed at a public hearing in April, 2005, the BKAA and others petitioned the Town Board to reduce the minimum threshold to slopes having a grade of 25% or greater. This designation would conform to the steep slopes definition currently found in the Town’s Master Plan.
• Notably, the Town Board resumed deliberations on the proposed law without soliciting public input, despite the year long hiatus. Therefore, the BKAA organized a telephone blitz to remind town officials of our primary concerns.
• As a compromise, the BKAA was willing to consider designation of steep slopes on the Shawangunk Ridge as having grades of 25% or greater, while those in the rest of Mamakating would be 35% or greater.
• In what is becoming a troubling entrenched pattern, the Town Board has once again tabled this matter for more than five months now.

Wurtsboro Airport

• On December 27, 2005, Mamakating’s Town Board unanimously voted against taking the Wurtsboro Airport by eminent domain.
• The Town and an airport developer then concocted a plan, which entailed utilizing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds to facilitate the developer’s aspirations.
• The BKAA publicly opposed the aforementioned scenario.
• The developer did not close on his purchase contract with owners of the 408 acre parcel by the May 21 deadline, but apparently extended his option.
• It seems that the Wurtsboro Airport has to continue functioning solely as an airport until 2016, at which point FAA constraints are absolved.

Kingboro/Kingwood Subdivisions

• October 11, 2006 – Representing the BKAA, Paula Medley spoke at a public scoping before the Town Planning Board on a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement related to the Kingboro and Kingwood subdivisions proposed for Wurtsboro Hills.
• The BKAA strongly urged the Planning Board to require a detailed habitat assessment as part of the final scoping document. Such an assessment would encompass discussion of water, soils, geology, slope, stormwater, sediment and erosion control, plants, and animals.

Basher Kill Subdivision

• We have been awaiting completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for more than a year.
• The BKAA continues regular communication with Deerpark United Neighbors co-coordinators Frank Brusinski and Susan O’Neill.

Networking: As in the past, the BKAA has worked hard to strengthen and expand its networking repertoire, believing that ongoing relationships with groups and individual partners expedite successful outcomes and enable us to be positive contributors within the broader environmental circle.

This year, the BKAA built an invaluable bridge to our local community via Jon Reed’s role as our representative to the Wurtsboro Renaissance committee. Jon’s commitment and engaging temperament have single-handedly enriched public perception of our mission.

Desiring to “spread the word” into greater Sullivan County, the BKAA recently joined the Sullivan County Visitors Association, an opportunity facilitated by Maryallison Farley’s initiative and support from Association CEO, Roberta Byron Lockwood and Vice President Phyllis Andrews.

We continue to enjoy consistent endorsement from loyal partners like the Sullivan County Audubon Society and Andy Helgesen, who represents several Delaware and Hudson Canal groups.

The outstanding assemblage of groups which comprise the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition Executive Committee has provided one of the richest venues of environmental expertise. Along with coordinator Georgette Weir, members embody Friends of the Shawangunks, Mohonk Preserve, Inc., The Nature Conservancy, NY/NJ Trail Conference, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Save the Ridge, and the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Sierra Club.

In our endeavors, we also network with local politicians and have obtained inestimable assistance from Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey and his Sullivan County District Representative Chris White, as well as from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and Legislator Kathy LaBuda.

Bill and Carol Lucas, and Richard Morris, along with Andy Weil, and Eileen Haworth Weil, form a core activist force which utilizes every opportunity to pressure municipal officials into adhering to correct processes.

The BKAA, through Paula Medley and her financial backing, has for over 2 years, provided individuals and groups with a newspaper clipping service and copies of key documents.

Town of Mamakating Meeting Coverage: Although Paula Medley normally monitors all Town and Planning Board meeting and many Zoning Board of Appeals sessions, the remaining BKAA board members have excellent attendance at notable public hearings and other critical events.

Local Environmental Activities: Kathy Scullion, Sullivan County Community College science teacher, led the 2006 Leadership Sullivan Class on a field trip to the Basha Kill on May 24th.

Jodi Rubenstein continued as the BKAA’s delegate to the Board of the Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development.

Whenever possible, the BKAA assisted Mamakating’s municipal boards with information about their natural resources and how best to protect them especially via newspaper or magazine articles and technical tracts.

Campers: The BKAA selected and partially funded one camper for this year’s NYS DEC Environmental Education Camp in DeBruce. This year’s delegate was Brienne Early from Delaware County, who definitely made the most of her camp experience, being one of only several participants chosen as a potential volunteer or “volley” for next year.

Jack Orth Scholarship: The BKAA persists in offering scholarship opportunities to deserving students attending Sullivan County Community College.

Water Testing: We have been collecting another year of water quality data for the Basha Kill (specifically fecal coliform readings from five sites). Thanks to Stephen Erny for tenaciously managing this valuable program.

DEC Update: This year the BKAA renewed its five year contract with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as a steward in the agency’s Adopt – A – Natural Resource Program.

Basha Kill Walks and Educational Presentations During these times of heavy duty advocacy and frequent confrontations, we are apt to forget our reason for fighting, which is protection and preservation of invaluable resources like the Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area and the Shawangunk Ridge. This is why now, more than ever, our walks and educational programs are necessary to focus attention on the purpose for the BKAA’s existence and its long-standing mission.

So, we are especially indebted to Maryallison Farley, who coordinated the BKAA’s educational agenda for 2006 and for the remarkably talented group of individuals who implemented it. April 1 definitely was April Fools Day, as bad weather prompted postponement of Bob Fiore’s very popular star gazing walk until Saturday, November 4 at 7:00PM. Scott Graber and Mike Medley conducted the inaugural early Spring canoe outing with 13 canoes and 2 kayaks, while Scott and Maryallison piloted a Fall canoeing/kayaking “expedition.” John Haas, bird expert extraordinaire, focused on bird life at the Basha Kill during his two sessions. John Kenney led a botany walk, an early summer wildflowers trek, and the extremely successful “blooms and butterflies” ramble. Author/photographer John Winkler ushered 14 participants along the Shawangunk Ridge. Bill Cutler, along with friends from the Museum of the Hudson Highlands, New York State Museum, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, introduced 50 attendees, many of whom were children, to the amphibians and reptiles of the Basha Kill.

Our organization persists in promoting the Basha Kill to school children. Michael Medley conducted a presentation on the Basha Kill to a group of students from Emma Chase Elementary’s after school program on May 26th.

Finally, the BKAA again co-operated with the DEC and Lori McKean of the Eagle Institute to implement the fourth year of the volunteer Basha Kill Eagle Watch Program. Usually, each weekend afternoon from April through June, trained volunteers have scopes focused on nesting eagles and/or ospreys. This year, however, neither pair raised any young at the Kill. Nevertheless, there were many sightings of both adult and immature eagles as well as other interesting animals and plants to pique visitor’s interest.
Project manager for 2006 was Patricia Diness, while volunteers included Lynn Barber, Ninette Deninno, Shaun Doyle, Maryallison Farley, Jennifer Ippoliti, Tony Leone, Cindy McGlynn, Michael Medley, Ed Morse, Jonathan Stanton, and John Waclawski. Among them , they monitored the boat ramp area each Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 PM, April 29 through June 25 in cold, heat, rain, or shine. They interacted with about 18 visitors per shift or 270 for the total season. Additional volunteers are welcomed for next year so that more coverage can be provided on weekends.

Other Outreach Events:
The BKAA’s 25th Annual Cleanup was held on April 29. Approximately 50 participants spent several hours picking up considerable trash before returning to the Moose Lodge for a sumptuous lunch prepared by Marilyn and Bob Fiore, with assistance from friends Barbara Johnson and Fred Weissman. Special door prizes were an added surprise and encompassed a walking stick and waist pack from the Hiking Shack, a book, Enchanted Land, by John Winkler, and a gift certificate to Kathy’s Tea Kozy in Wurtsboro. We are grateful to the Fiores, Barbara, Fred. Door prize donors; John Lavelle, in charge of pickup locations; Susan O’Neill, our publicist; George Schuler for providing garbage bags, and Marcia Briggs Wallace for merchandise sales. Special thanks to the Mamakating Highway Department for donating the dumpster, to the Moose Lodge for charging only a small donation fee for our lunch site, and to Lorraine Haring for coordinating this highly successful happening.

Maryallison made an excellent presentation about the Basha Kill and the BKAA to the Beny Family at its annual reunion held at Danny’s during Memorial Day weekend. Her talk evoked fond memories for the family members of experiences engendered at the Basha Kill 65 years ago.

Workshops:
In an effort to continually educate ourselves about critical resources, advocacy strategies, as well as planning and zoning, BKAA members attended numerous workshops and seminars this year.

• On November 12, 2005, Deerpark United Neighbors Co-Coordinator Susan O’Neill, accompanied by Theresa Pauly and Midge Karmalinski, attended a workshop sponsored by the NY/NJ Trail Conference entitled “The School of Hard Knocks.” At this forum, a group of panelists reviewed several threatening projects, like the Basher Kill subdivision, and recommended effective strategies.
• Jon Reed attended a conference on Sustainable Water Resource Management sponsored by Hudson Valley Watershed Alliance on April 16.
• Susan O’Neill, Paula Medley, Jon Reed, Andy Weil and Eileen Haworth Weil went to a workshop entitled Developing Progressive Tri-County Leadership on May 6 in Monticello.
• Jon Reed attended a workshop on June 13 at Sullivan County Community College which was termed “Everything You Need to Know About Planning and Zoning Boards.”
• On July 27, Jon Reed and Paula Medley attended a “Wetlands 101” workshop sponsored by the Rosendale Environmental Commission and the Ulster County Environmental Management Council.
• Paula Medley attended a seminar on “River Ecology,” sponsored by Trout Unlimited, The Audubon Society, and the Nature Conservancy.

Field Guide to the Basha Kill:
The long awaited Guide will hopefully be published during the upcoming year. Right now, it is a matter of coordinating nature artist Lilith Jones’ availability with the publication’s scheduling requirements. The BKAA did not receive a $10,000 grant from the Furthermore Foundation to cover printing costs, as the Foundation is no longer interested in funding small publications. Fortunately, we will obtain $5,000.00 as a legislative member item grant from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther to assist with printing. We gratefully acknowledge Assemblywoman Gunther’s positive intervention at this critical juncture. Thanks are likewise in order to Maryallison and Toni Garrett who have represented the board in maintaining this project’s momentum.

Membership Renewal, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Recording Secretary:
These vital Board functions have been expertly managed by Lorraine Haring, Susan Erny, and Toni Garrett. Thanks to all three for an amazing commitment of time and energy. Kudos also to Gregg Squires who has spent countless hours upgrading the capabilities of Lorraine’s computer and introducing an improved program.

Publicity/thebashakill,org/Action Alerts:
BKAA member Susan O’Neill continued to be the organization’s public relations guru, writing and distributing all news releases.

The BKAA Board is extremely excited about the creation of our group’s own website, thebashakil.org. Produced by Arrow Web Design, Inc. with significant input from website committee members Hattie Grifo, Jodi Rubenstein, and Toni Garrett, the BKAA can finally control communication of organization business, like the timely posting and updating of Action Alerts.

Speaking of Action Alerts, this communication program, which now reaches over half of the BKAA’s membership via email was originally set up by local computer expert , Bryan Stanton, more than two years ago and is maintained and administered by Maryallison.

Special thanks to John and Susan Lavelle, owners of Wurtsboro’s Hiking Shack, for having generously hosted a BKAA listing on their beautiful website. Susan also promotes the BKAA in her shop by distributing our brochures/newsletters and selling BKAA merchandise.

Board Member Emeritus Buff McAllister has completed another year editing The Guardian, our primary outreach tool to the membership. Thanks Buff for your ongoing commitment and the level of excellence you consistently apply to this effort.

BKAA Consultants:
Our consulting attorney, Alex Smith, has provided invaluable legal services to the BKAA throughout this long, turbulent year. His generosity has likewise enabled the organization to maintain its strong advocacy role. David Clouser and Andy Willingham, engineers from David Clouser and Associates, also significantly contributed to our legal strategies. Dr. Katherine Beinkafner, our hydrogeologist, donated her time and expertise to the site plan/special use permit lawsuit. Thanks to all of you!

Respectfully Submitted,

Paula Medley
President, BKAA