Large Scale Development and Its Effect on the Catskills

NOTE: The following is a compilation of available information edited and written by the Catskill Mountainkeeper in order to help educate the public. 

Major large scale developments have been proposed near Belleayre State Park Ski Center, along the Bashakill Ridge in Sullivan County as well as in Delaware, Green and Ulster Counties.  They are of a size of scope that will forever change the region - the unique cultural, historic, scenic and recreational resources that are the bedrock of our communities. 

The pristine mountains, waterways, intact forests and quaint villages of the Catskills are what have always drawn people to our area.  They have come for our beautiful vistas and pure lakes.  They have come to hike, to fish, to camp and enjoy the outdoors as well as to live and work. 

Catskill Mountainkeeper believes that it is critical that we develop a “Regional Development Blueprint” that clearly addresses the kind of development we need and want so that we don’t look back in 20 years and lament the unnecessary destruction of our natural beauty and heritage.  We are at a critical point right now. We can choose to shape what our region will look like in the future through intelligent planning or we can let the short term interests of developers, many of whom are from out of the area, determine our future.   Catskill Mountainkeeper believes strongly in the need, benefit and potential of development in the Catskills. And we believe we can create a plan that balances economic opportunity with the protection of our unique and vulnerable environment.  It is critical that we save the wilderness environment that is our region’s greatest economic asset.

REGIONAL PLAN

Two major influences that call for regional planning are the two overlapping land areas of the Catskill Park and the New York City Watershed.  Both of these areas have local, state and national importance.  We need to come together as a region to share our ideas and solutions to enable us to gain state-wide support for protecting these important areas while also helping local communities maintain viability.

Catskill Mountainkeeper is acting as a catalyst to bring a regional perspective to development within the Catskills.  Each community has their own guidelines on which they analyze the impact of large scale development. Often local communities don’t have the resources to create studies on how the development under consideration will affect the environment, water purity, infrastructure and other critical variables. Without a regional approach there is no way for each community to know what the impact of their project will be on the region or what the aggregate impact of multiple developments will be on the region.

For all projects the following types of issues need to be addressed:

 

  • What is the danger of toxic substances entering the surface and ground water?
  • How will clear-cutting, bulldozing and blasting affect deforestation and erosion?
  • What is the potential for dangerous excessive flooding and what would be its effect on existing homes and properties?
  • What is the effect on the habitats of plant and animal life?
  • What is the potential to drain the aquifer?
  • What are the results of sudden and disproportionate population growth on affordable housing?
  • What is the potential of higher property taxes?
  • What is the effect on the over-taxing of infrastructures including roads, schools, healthcare and more?
  • How will quality of life factors be affected?
  • How will existing businesses and industries be affected?

                           

              Note: Large scale development is often welcomed as a way to grow the tax base, however studies have shown that if development    outpaces the needed infrastructure, it actually costs municipalities more than it brings in.

Clearly poorly planned growth or unplanned growth will result in irreversible and severe damage to our region.  Current provisions for review and analysis are too limited.  We need a regional blueprint to provide the necessary oversight to assist our individual communities and as a tool for collective growth that doesn’t destroy the unique environment that is our greatest economic asset.

RIDGE TOP AND HILLSIDE REGULATIONS

The goal of ridge top and hillside regulations is to support aesthetically pleasing development while protecting the integrity of the landscape and increasing safety from possible geological events that may occur on mountainous terrain.  Certainly none of us are happy when we look out at the view shed and see sizable new construction.  But it is more than the view that is in danger.  When trees and other vegetation are removed from hillsides and ridge tops as part of construction the ability to hold water is dramatically reduced. With the deforestation comes erosion making us much more vulnerable to flooding and making floods much more severe.  This is of particular concern in our communities where in the last several years we have seen an incidence of “100 Year Floods” that have resulted in loss of property and more significantly in loss of life. We need to consciously plan where we build, the size of developments and set standards for maximum preservation of plant life.

To spur the discussion and potential implementation of building and zoning guidelines, the Catskill Mountainkeeper in partnership with Belleayre Heritage Alliance will present a “Summit on Summits” in Spring 2010 to explore the best practices to protect our ridgelines from destruction. (Click here if you would like CMK to notify you of summit plans when they are finalized).

WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO GROW OUR ECONOMY?

Catskill Mountainkeeper is a strong proponent of economic revitalization for the Catskills, however, we do not believe that we need large scale development that is inconsistent with our character to do it.   We believe in sustainable development that focuses on the sectors and industries that we excel in - like the resurgence of farming, farm to market efforts, main street revitalization, tourism, hotel development, the performing arts, alternate energy production, low impact industry, small business and the advancement of higher education.  The Catskill area is a special, unique and irreplaceable place. We believe in smart growth that will retain our rural nature, wonderful vistas, open spaces, waterways, old growth forests and farmland. We believe in expansion that provides working wage jobs, promotes skill development over the long term and stimulates growth at a rate that the region can absorb.

Some of the projects we are currently championing are:

 The establishment of a New School University campus in Sullivan County.  This would be a partnership with the Center for Discovery, the largest private employer in Sullivan County and would focus on establishing a campus offering degrees in healthcare, agriculture and music therapy. This initiative, if successful, would provide jobs, bring new consumers into the area and expand our cultural base.

 The creation of a model farm in partnership with NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association of America-New York). Along with seven other nonprofit organizations Mountainkeeper is working to create a model farm where prospective farmers can learn everything about sustainable farming from crops and equipment to business and product strategy.  The Catskills is ripe for a farming resurgence – we have the land, we have access to major markets, but we don’t have enough people who either want to stay in farming or go into farming. By helping farmers acquire 21st century expertise they will be able to use less land, grow higher profit crops and become successful niche farmers who can compete with the megalithic corporate farms. The Model Farm project fits perfectly into important trends such as Buy Local, the Slow Food Movement and others that are transforming how Americans purchase and consume their food. 

Preserving the natural beauty and managing development isn’t just an aesthetic issue, although that’s important. Our mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and villages are a major economic asset that attracts visitors, residents, businesses, other organizations and jobs. When we abuse our resources for short term gain we pay a price in erosion, floods, loss of property and life as well as ruining the very asset that will attract economic expansion.

Our region belongs to all of us. You are a stakeholder. Don’t be passive about what others plan to do to your backyard. Become active. Get involved.

Catskill Mountainkeeper needs your help TODAY!

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