Particpate in Determining Management of DEC's Shawangunk Ridge Properties
Dear Concerned Citizen:
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has initiated the planning process for the development of the Draft Shawangunk Ridge Unit Management Plan (UMP). The goal of the UMP is to identify and address specific management objectives for DEC lands within the planning unit. These management objectives are developed to maintain healthy ecosystems that provide a wide array of benefits for current and future generations. All activities carried out on a management unit are to conform with the UMP.
The Shawangunk Ridge Unit is located in the Towns of Gardiner, Wawarsing, and Shawangunk in Ulster County, the Town of Mamakating in Sullivan County, and the Town of Greenville in Orange County. The unit is approximately 4,760 acres in size, consisting of Shawangunk Multiple Use Area, Witch's Hole State Forest, Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, Roosa Gap State Forest, Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, Huckleberry Ridge State Forest, and 3 detached Forest Preserve parcels. Additional properties located within the Unit are currently in the process of being acquired by the Department. (See a enlarged map of the Unit.)
An open house for the planning process will be held oil May 30th at 7:00 PM in the Ellenville Public Library. The open house will give an overview of the properties and provide the public an opportunity to meet with DEC staff and share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions regarding management of DEC lands within the Unit. Examples of issues which DEC expects to include in the UMP arc forest management, wildlife management, fisheries, wetlands, water resources, biodiversity, historic preservation, public access, and recreation. Public involvement in the planning process is essential to the development of a complete, accurate, and responsive UMP. Everyone with an interest in the Shawangunk Ridge Unit is encouraged to participate.
Written input for the Draft UMP is currently being accepted. Additional opportunity for public review and comment will be available when the draft UMP is issued. The Final UMP will guide the failure use and management of State lands within the Shawangunk Ridge Unit. Please mail written input to the attention of Ethan Pierce at NYS DEC Region 3, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact me at (845) 256-3074 or email me at empierce@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
Sincerely,
Ethan M. Pierce, Natural Resources Planner
May 1, 2007
An Update on BKAA finances
Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA) fundraising priorities have dramatically shifted thanks to the incredible generosity of members and friends. The BKAA Board is pleased to announce that our organization now has sufficient financial resources ($12,500) to conduct its Appeal of the Yukiguni Maitake site plan/special use permit lawsuit, whose petition was recently denied by Sullivan County Supreme Court Judge Robert A. Sackett.
Having monies available to cover legal costs is definitely a relief, but fundraising efforts must now focus on augmenting the BKAA's regular or operating account, which has been severely depleted due to significant legal obligations. Presently, we barely have enough in our operating budget to meet annual expenses associated with printing and mailing our newsletter ($3,000.00), conducting Basha Kill water tests ($1,200.00), maintaining our website ($400.00), continuing the board's Directors and Officers insurance ($1,000.00+), hosting a luncheon at our Annual Cleanup ($250.00), sponsoring one or two young people to the Department of Environmental Conservation Camp at DeBruce ($200.00 to $400.00), as well as copying and mailing our yearly membership renewals ($600.00).
Therefore, the BKAA Board will be asking members who are able to contribute at least an additional ten dollars to our operating account with each membership renewal in June. This way we can pay known bills in a timely fashion while also building a "cushion" for the unexpected costs that invariably occur over the course of a year.
If you have any further questions, please contact Paula Medley at 845-754-0743.
Paula Medley,
President
May 4, 2007
An Update from Committee to Stop the Power Lines (SayNo2NYRI)
New York Regional Interconnect's (NYRI) application to the Public Service Commission (PSC) continues to be of great concern to all communities from Utica to New Windsor. While the application was deemed incomplete by the PSC, NYRI's lawyer on August 17th said that it intends to take their case beyond the State of New York. Even if the PSC's findings deny NYRI's application, it will pursue an alternate course to get permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Wording contained in an Act passed by Congress last year grants FERC the power to override a state's action when a FERC study indicates that the transmission line is a "national interest electric transmission corridor". Such a designation grants the power company permission to build the line using the power of eminent domain to secure the route. The ability of FERC to objectively deal with the project is in question evidenced by FERC board member, Marc Spitzer's comment indicating that the go ahead for the plan is a "no brainer".
The activities of our local Committee to Stop the Power Lines (SayNo2NYRI), in the last month have been focused on many aspects of this fight. Members continue efforts to make citizens aware of the tremendous losses faced by our area and all of the other areas along the 190 + mile route. After the Hamptonburg rally at the end of July, residents of the Town of Wallkill became aware of the impact the power line would have there. Just one Wallkill project would lose 14 housing units if the line were to be built. More than 125 residents of Wallkill met last Friday to hear from SayNo2NYRI just what the project would mean in terms of safety, environmental and economic impact.
SayNo2NYRI continues to present the negative impact on so many areas of our region: environmental costs with destruction of the view shed, management (mismanagement) of the right of way, building in protected areas, destruction of the natural environment, and the creation of an electromagnetic field all along the length.
Then there are the economic impacts of a power line: the personal loss of property, the disfiguring of whole communities, the devaluation of thousands of properties and the chilling effect on local economies especially in areas of scenic wonder and, in Otisville's case, the destruction of the business center and the questionable future of an area designated for planned condominiums.
The momentum against NYRI is growing. From a start in Otisville that quickly involved Deerpark and Mount Hope, we have educated and inspired other groups to form in Hamptonburgh and Wallkill. We have convinced local, county, state and national representatives to actively oppose NYRI.
SayNo2NYRI urges readers to stay aware of NYRI and the debate that has developed over electrical supply. Several recent findings suggest that this power line is not needed. If conservation of energy practices were implemented, no line would ever be needed!
Some recommended websites are:
The Basha Kill Area Association Board encourages all BKAA members to send letters of opposition - all addresses and a sample letter can be found on the SayNo2NYRI website, under You Can Help and Sample Letter.
Basha Kill Area Association, P.O. Box 1121, Wurtsboro, NY 12790
For more info call: 845-888-5381
