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Threats to the Basha Kill
- Yukiguni Maitake
In order for Yukiguni Maitake to begin construction of their pilot plant, the company has to obtain a building permit from the Town of Mamakating. For that permit, the company must submit detailed construction plans. As of July 2011, the company has not provided these construction plans.
When Yukigun Maitake submits detailed construction plans, the BKAA's consultant engineer will review the drawings to make sure that the plans comply with all relevant regulations.
- Basherkill Subdivision
As readers will recall, this is a Shawangunk Ridge major development located on almost 700 acres of the western ridge, bordered by County Route 61, Route 211, and Port Orange Road. The DEIS is available at the Town's Building Department and may also be viewed online by visiting www.townofdeerpark.org. Click on "Planning Board" and scroll down to Basherkill Subdivision. Presumably the applicant is still working on the Final EIS.
This proposal entails 354 residential units (townhouses and single-family homes) on lots ranging from ¼ to 1½ acres, along with a "commercial retail component." A small portion of the Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area borders this property, while the Basha Kill ("Basherkill") itself meanders through the entire western section of the proposed development and is prone to flooding. The D&H canal is nearby and steep slopes abound. It is a bad, bad plan!
In conclusion, the BKAA will assume a lead role in reviewing this FEIS and in formulating related advocacy strategies. To start, we again hired the team of David Clouser, engineer, Dr. Katherine Beinkafner, hydrogeologist, and Spider Barbour, ecologist, to scrutinize the DEIS and comment at the public hearing. Fortunately, substantial engineering study costs have been borne by an extremely generous grant of $7000 to BKAA from the Shawangunk Ridge Coalition. Nevertheless, BKAA is responsible for paying remaining engineering fees as well as hydrogeologist and ecologist charges.
You can help voice your concern by writing letters and emails to your representatives in government.
To call your Member of Congress - US Capitol Switchboard: 800-504-0031
Senator Schumer's Website. Email address: senator@schumer.senate.gov
Write Your Representative - Lookup Representatives
The rep for this area is Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Email is: mhinchey@mail.house.gov
Governor Andrew Cuomo Email: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
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