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ACAL NewsRecent Documents...
News Updates...ACAL News – Week of 20 July 2007The Black River Landing Subdivision is getting some attention from environmental groups including New York Rivers United, Nature Conservancy, the Mohawk Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL). Located between the Black River and River Road, the 246-acre expanse of land slated for the subdivision equals approximately 34% of the total lands presently owned by James P. Ferrari and a Mr. Kent. Mr. Ferrari is an attorney from Cooperstown and a member of the zoning board of appeals in the Town of Otsego. The woodland area in question, which includes substantial frontage on the Black River, was once a privately owned “well-managed” forest, according to local residents. In letters dated over the past 18 months, the Black River Landing Subdivision is creating concern, not only from environmental groups, but from local, county and state and agencies as well. The first area of concern deals with the issue that this proposed subdivision is located within two adjoining townships. Although the majority of the acreage and proposed lots fall within the Town of Forestport boundaries, the Town of Boonville Planning Board “is planning to act as Lead Agency in the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) process” according to a May 2007 letter from the Oneida County Public Health Department. Included in the January 2006 letter from the Oneida County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to the Forestport Planning Board was a 6-item list of “concerns about residential development of this property”, which encompasses 49 building lots. Jo-Anne Faulkner of SWCD stated, “My major concern for this site is the proposed development and disturbance of the peninsula area. The multiple issues that could arise from developing this area include soil erosion leading to bank failure, well contamination from septic systems, flooding, and pollution of the Black River.” In February 2006, the Oneida County Department of Planning made 8 recommendations to the Forestport Board regarding the Black River Landing Subdivision; many of which, corroborated the items of concern from the Soil and Water District. Due to the fact Town of Forestport zoning has 100-foot setbacks from streams, 5 of the 49 lots cannot accommodate wells and septic systems. Additionally, the Department of Planning indicated the proposed .48-acre recreational area (green space) included in the 246-acre subdivision is not nearly enough to accommodate a project of this size and one that is located along a major waterway. There was also concern the subdivision falls within two townships and there may be other issues related to public access for fishing on the Black River. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has stated that an Article 15 Protection of Waters Permit will be needed before construction can begin. The DEC has also indicated that road construction is already underway, yet “no Notice of Intent has been filed with this agency for GP-02-01, the general permit for Stormwater Discharges Associate[d] with Construction Activities.” More recently, in a letter to the Boonville Planning Board, the town of Forestport Board expressed “great concerns and reservations in regards to the [Black River Landing Subdivision].” A portion of the letters reads, “Since it was first presented to the Town of Forestport Planning Board in 2005, the Board has done much research and made many contacts with various agencies. Two planning board members from the Town of Forestport attended your June 25, 2007 Planning Board Meeting. They are very concerned that there are many issues that need to be addressed that you have not taken into consideration at this time. It has been our experience that good planning now, prepares you better for what is to come in the future. We urge you to take a good look at the “whole” picture and not to make any hasty decisions.” After questioning Boonville Planning Board Chairman Bob Moon, he indicated the Board had not done extensive research or completed environmental studies regarding the Black River Landing Subdivision, although he said board members had walked the property. When asked about Boonville being the lead agency regarding the project, Mr. Moon said, “The Board is moving in the right direction”, although further explanation was not given. According to ACAL Director of Research Kathy Crofoot, who attended the Boonville Planning Board meeting on July 16, the Board passed a resolution for an extension of Ferrari and Kent’s subdivision application, but did not approve it. In addition to local and county agencies and environmental groups’ concerns, Black River residents are opposed to this subdivision for environmental reasons. Several years ago, the DEC mandated the Town of Forestport to construct a sewer treatment plant to eliminate pollution in the Black River that was caused by local septic systems. The construction of 49 homes with 1,000 gallon septic tanks, bordering the banks of the river, would likely cause a similar problem the DEC was trying to eliminate in Forestport: pollution in the Black River. In my opinion, the Towns of Boonville and Forestport need to work together to do what is best for their communities while protecting the Black River environment. Additionally, the Boonville Planning Board needs to complete necessary research and consider all environmental impacts on the Black River before approving/disapproving the proposed subdivision. Townships have an obligation to inform its citizens of public hearings and monthly board meetings. Posting informational signs on town/village property notifying citizens of upcoming meetings would help increase participation. Issues relating to specific geographic areas, requires local residents to be informed of public hearings in writing. An improved effort in communication on the part of local government will empower its citizens to become more involved in the community decision-making process. Jacki Chamberlain Director of Communications Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL) 07/02/10 - Burning household trash is illegal in New York 06/17/10 - New Yorkers for Zero Waste Platform 07/13/09 - ACAL - Alive and well 04/13/08 - ACAL 2008 Update - Part 2 03/18/08 - ACAL Continues Environmental Mission in 2008 11/09/07 - Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust 10/26/07 - A good read - The Adirondack Atlas 10/12/07 - New York State Opening Meeting Law 09/28/07 - ACAL Fall Foliage Auction Oct. 5 09/21/07 - Integrity found in the Town of Ava 09/14/07 - Tug Hill resources have been targeted 08/19/07 - Fair and straighforward journalism? 08/10/07 - A Needed Appreciation for Nature 08/03/07 - New York State Municipal Home Rule Law 07/27/07 - Boonville Village Litter/Debris Local Law 07/19/07 - Black River Landing Subdivision Issues 07/13/07 - WTE vs. Landfills 06/29/07 - Too many impaired waters - Black River Watershed 06/22/07 - Protecting our drinking water starts at home 06/15/07 - ACAL Joins Northern Forest Alliance 06/07/07 - ACAL Holds 200/20 Drawing & Picnic, Annual Meeting 06/07/07 - ACAL AWARDED GRANT 06/01/07 - Be a solution - get involved 05/25/07 - American flags do not belong in landfills 05/24/07 - PRESS RELEASE - ACAL Signs Stolen & Vandalized 05/18/07 - Reality check for the DEC 05/04/07 - All citizens are called to act responsibly 04/27/07 - "An Inconvenient Truth" 04/13/07 - Citizens Deserve the Whole Truth ... 04/06/07 - Great Lakes United & Citizen Resources 03/30/07 - "What is the future of local government?" 03/23/07 - Citizens Expect More From Local Government 03/16/07 - Plastic Grocery Bags Harm Wildlife 03/09/07 - The Precious Gift of Water 03/02/07 - Working Together to Protect the Environment 02/26/07 - Grassroots groups are citizens who care! 02/16/07 - Local Citizens Want Environment Protected 02/09/07 - Open Letter to Boonville Town/Village Officials 02/02/07 - Ava Landfill Story Told in Chicago 01/26/07 - It's time for New Yorkers to reclaim their rights! 01/12/07 - CITIZENS' RIGHTS ARE NOT FOR SALE! 01/05/07 - "DO NOT LITTER" Applies to Everyone 12/15/06 - "March of the Penguins" 12/08/06 - Be "good news" in the community 12/01/06 - Moose Creek Prediction - 12 years ago! 11/22/06 - United Haulers v. OHSWA 11/17/06 - A Citizen's Rights 11/03/06 - EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE 11/01/06 - ACAL statement regarding opening of landfill 10/24/06 - OHSWA Opens Landfill Without Required DEC Permit 10/20/06 - OHSWA required by DEC to have proper permit 10/13/06 - Dr. Bob Johnson Speaks at Public Forum 10/06/06 - OHSWA Fails to Deliver 10/04/06 - PRESS RELEASE - Court Denies OHSWA Motions 09/26/06 - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 09/21/06 - If OHSWA knew what they were doing ... 09/08/06 - Joint Board Resolution Revisited 08/28/06 - A Special Message 08/11/06 - Who will save the Town of Ava? 07/21/06 - The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes! 06/10/06 - Honoring Flag Day 05/19/06 - Local Residents Demand Protection for Environment 05/12/06 - The Foundation for a Better Life 05/05/06 - ACAL will pursue justice 04/28/06 - "Tug Hill, A Threatened Paradise" 04/21/06 - NYS environmental law contradicts State action 04/13/06 - The Tug Hill Plateau is worth protecting! 03/22/06 - Press Release - OHSWA & Rifenburg Being Sued 02/24/06 - ACAL Finds NYSDEC Consent Out of Order 02/03/06 - ACAL Defends the Truth 01/02/06 - PRESS RELEASE 12/15/05 - ACAL Continues with its Mission 12/01/05 - Tug Hill Heritage 11/23/05 - Boonville Breaks Resolution 11/06/05 - October 2005 OHSWA meeting 10/28/05 - NYS Waste Disposal Policies Not Enforced 10/21/05 - Environmental Conservation Laws 10/12/05 - Response to Village Trustee 09/23/05 - OHSWA Permit Violations 09/16/05 - ACAL Misinformation 09/07/05 - Press Release: DEC Enforcement Action 08/24/05 - ACAL Misinformation 08/05/05 - It's never too late 07/22/05 - Citizens, stand strong - DO NOT NEGOTIATE! 07/15/05 - PRESS RELEASE - Problems on Ava Landfill Site 07/08/05 - The truth must be told 07/07/05 - WBRV Statement #5 - DANGER to our drinking water 07/06/05 - WBRV Statement #4 - Polluting landfills kill 07/05/05 - WBRV STATEMENT #3 - Boonville Poll Not Official 06/29/05 - WBRV Statement #2 - Landfills provide NO benefits 06/27/05 - WBRV Statement #1 -Towns must stick together 06/24/05 - Waste to energy facilities better alternative 06/17/05 - Boonville boards break agreement 06/17/05 - Slope failure sends mud into Moose Creek AGAIN! 06/12/05 - Environmentally safe alternatives to landfills 05/27/05 - Town of Ava will file an appeal 05/22/05 - Dynamite blasting on landfill site? 05/15/05 - Oneida County in Trouble 05/08/05 - FACTS and What You Can Do 05/01/05 - Community Gathers for Prayer Service 04/24/05 - Personal Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 04/17/05 - Power of Prayer 04/03/05 - The Waste Authority Must Be Stopped! 03/27/05 - Letter to NYS Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi 03/20/05 - OHSWA Propaganda 03/13/05 - Letter to Griffo - Put Words into Action! 03/06/05 - Get involved in your community 02/27/05 - Assemblyman Townsend Has Concerns Re: OHSWA 02/06/05 - Power of the Press 01/24/05 - Legislator Pam Mandryck Opposes SWA Reappointment 01/02/05 - Weeks of 1/2 - 1/16/05 12/22/04 - Response to letter 12/12/04 - Senator Ray Meier Favors Ava Landfill 11/28/04 - Proud Heritage 11/14/04 - Oneida County chooses - for the people, or not? 11/07/04 - Letters sent to Governor and NYS Senators 10/31/04 - Ava/Boonville future - NO DUMP! 10/28/04 - Letter to Governor Pataki 10/24/04 - Environment Justice All the Way! 10/22/04 - Press Release 10/17/04 - No Civil Rights for Ava Residents 10/10/04 - Article 78 Lawsuit Against DEC Commissioner Crotty 10/03/04 - 400+ Days and Still Fighting! 09/27/04 - Family Home Threatened 09/26/04 - Important Facts to Know About the Ava Landfill 09/19/04 - Letter from Concerned Citizen 09/12/04 - Small Town of Ava Dragged into Court by OHSWA 08/29/04 - Where Do Your Loyalities Lie? 08/22/04 - Beaver Dam Incident Still a Mystery 08/15/04 - Ava-Boonville-Lewis Joint Boards Resolution |
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