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The Hole In The Donut Has Been Closed !
New State acquires 575 acres of land in the middle of Sterling Forest State Park
"...we're all breaking out the champagne."
- Mary Yrizzary, Co-chair Sterling Forest PartnershipThe non-profit organization, The Trust for Public Land bought 575 acres of land surrounded by existing Sterling Forest State park lands. The land was then transferred it to New York State. New York used money from its Environmental Protection Fund for the purchase. Sterling Forest is managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
"An example of grassroots campaigns working." - Hudson Valley News-12
TAKE ACTION NOW
PUBLIC HEARING September 26, 2005
7:30 PM Elementary School in Tuxedo
Re: Plan to build Sterling Forge Estates - 107 luxury homes in the heart of Sterling Forest State Park
Please attend the continued Public Hearing for citizen comment on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement DSEIS submitted by the Sterling Forest Corporation to develop 107 million plus dollar homes in the center of Sterling Forest State Park.
At the initial public hearing on July 18 so many of you helped to pack the house that over 50 people were left standing out in the hall, unable to participate, and only half of those signed up to speak were able to. At the second public hearing on August 22 over 150 people attended. 26 people spoke among them Congressman Maurice Hinchey of New York and the New Jersey DEP, all stating that this development is inappropriate. This attendance was despite the massive traffic jam due to the shut down of the NY State Thruway. Many thanks to all those who went out of their way to attend. We’re asking you to return and bring friends. The town had to adjourn the hearing which is now to continue on September 26, 2005. An larger presence of concerned citizens is still needed at this public hearing to let the Tuxedo Town Board (lead agency for SEQRA process), the DEC and Governor Pataki’s office know that this development is something we do not want to see happen.
Over $78 million dollars has been spent to purchase more than 20,000 acres of land to create Sterling Forest State Park Preserve in the heart of the Highlands. Most of this money has come from our state and federal taxes, along with some private funds. Sterling Forest Corporation maintained 575 acres of land within the park boundaries. Their original plan was to build a golf course and 103 homes. Because of the active work of the Sterling Forest Partnership, which brought the presence of a significant population of the threatened timber rattlesnake to the awareness of the DEC, the golf course was stopped. Now they plan 107 homes costing $1.2 – $2.2 million on 1 to 5-acre plots.
The rattlesnakes are not the only reason for raising concerns about this development. Out of all the “unique” properties we’ve all worked to save over the years, this perhaps may be the most unique. However, within one property, we have one of the two most biological diverse areas in New York State (the other is the Shawangunks); a significant system of wetlands; a nationally significant historical and archaeological resource which dates back to 1736, and which played a vitally important role in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars; a variety of threatened and endangered fauna and flora; and a passive recreational resource that is treasured by naturalists and hunters alike. The impacts of the proposed development would extend far beyond the borders of the project site, having a fragmenting effect on the forest habitat within the park itself. This unfragmented forest habitat, with its associated highly diverse population of herpetological, avian, and mammalian species, is so important that it attracts University study from a number of other states. How many other properties offer so much in one place?
We all made a financial investment through our tax money to protect this important biological corridor and provide a green buffer for a densely populated metropolitan region. Why should 107 families reap the reward of this citizen investment while degrading the surrounding Park habitat?
Please attend the Public Hearing. A large presence of concerned citizens at the public hearing will let the Tuxedo Town Board (lead agency for SEQRA process), the DEC and Governor Pataki’s office know that development is not something we want to see happen.
We would like to hear from you that you will be attending. You can let us know by e-mailing: Sue Scher
For those who will speak at the hearing, organize points for a 3-minute presentation. Read our FACT SHEET for possible talking points. If you need to refer to the May DSEIS and the earlier DEIS, they are available at the Tuxedo Library. If you have specific points of concern, Sterling Forest Partnership may be able to send you those portions of the document. Contact Sue Scher, Co-Chair, Sterling Forest Partnership, 845-351-2883.
Directions to Tuxedo Elementary School located on the corner of Route 17 and Hillside Avenue. From the south take Route 17 north through Sloatsburg. Just as you enter Tuxedo turn left onto Hillside Ave. (Opposite “Take-a-Break” on the right, one block before the first light in the town of Tuxedo). From the north take Route 17 south through Tuxedo one block past the 2nd traffic stop light to Hillside Ave. on the right. Parking is on both sides of Hillside Ave.
Sterling Forge Estates (the hole in the donut)
It’s not over yet!
In 1998 we all celebrated the creation of a new Sterling Forest State Park after an unprecedented cooperative partnership of people. It took 15 years of citizens’ advocacy to fight for clean, fresh water from Sterling, which directly feeds reservoirs serving millions of New York and New Jersey citizens.
Then, in 2000, Sterling
Forest Corporation submitted a Sterling Forge Estates development plan for an
18-hole golf course with 103 luxury homes on their 571-acre inholding. This
property lies in the heart of Sterling Forest State Park. The Corporation’s
plan requires the most extensive blasting of bedrock terrain ever seen in the
Highlands, other than a quarry operation. Taxpayers and private donors have
invested nearly $70 million dollars in
protecting the bi-state watershed of Sterling Forest. Sterling Forge Estates
will undermine this huge investment as it stands to threaten the last remaining
major watershed land within Sterling, and severely degrade important wildlife
habitats in our State Park.
We have all worked too hard to watch silently as this development undermines our past efforts. You can help by lending a strong and unified voice to urge political leaders, press and public to rally for completing the job to protect a spectacular Park and Watershed.
Attached is a briefing on the:
Please read the attached briefing and join with us in protecting the heart of Sterling Forest State Park.
Last updated: December 3, 2006