Introduction

Baring unforeseen issues, this is going to be the number one issue this year for the Trail Conference. Harriman State Park is undoubtedly the most heavily used hiking trail system by Trail Conference members. It is the reason that the Trail Conference exists at all. We were formed to build and maintain the trails there. 

Torne Valley is highly visible from several viewpoints, in particular Ramapo Torne which will be extremely close to the proposed power plant. More in the Background information at the left.

Talking points:

• Endangered species habitat. It is pretty well known that there are several rattlesnake dens in the area. It is not clear whether mitigation will work.
• Water. In times of drought, like two years ago, there could be negative impact
• Siting. Harriman State Park is used by millions of people annually. The combination of sight and noise will make it an unpleasant experience
• Visual The proposed building will be visible from three sides miles away.
• Stack heights and plumes will be highly visible
• Historic. Torne Valley has been listed as one of the Most Endangered Historic Places by the Nation Trust for Historic Preservation, specifically because of this proposed power plant siting.
• Ramapo River basin is a sole source aquifer and should not be put in danger. It supplies drinking water to Rockland County and Northern New Jersey.
• Habitat for red tail hawks, great blue heron, green heron, fox, coyote, black bear.
• Local elected officials uniformly oppose it.
• Greenfields. Power plants should not spoil greenfields; they should be sited on brownfields and existing plants should be upgraded rather than mothballed.
• Mining. The mountain will need to be mined in order to build plant; geology has not been studied; there is an unlined remediated federal superfund site adjacent to property.
• Trout. Ramapo River is a trout stream stocked by both New York and New Jersey. Torne Brook is a native brook trout spawning stream, one of only two left in Rockland County outside Harriman Park. The trout in Torne Brook were classified as a Heritage Species in 1999 by NYSDEC.

Action

The judge has just ruled that further public testimony will be restricted to Feb. 27. While you may attend the other meetings you will not be able to speak.

Pack the house on:
Thurs., Feb. 15 -- 10AM-1PM and 7PM-10PM
Fri., Feb. 16 -- 9AM-5PM
Mon., Feb. 26 - 10AM-5PM
Tues., Feb. 27 - 9am-1pm, 2pm-5:30pm, 7pm-10pm
Wed., Feb. 28 - 9am-1pm, 2pm-4pm
At:
Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York, 10901
845-357-5100

Driving directions: NYS Thruway to exit 14B (Airmont Road); Follow signs to Rt. 59;Turn left (east) on 59. After passing shopping center their is a white house "Ambulance Corp"; Turn right into that parking lot and immediately left into town hall parking. Map

Write or call Governor Pataki. The governor has been silent on this issue. Don't let him get away with it. 

Send written comments by Feb. 15 to:
Christopher M. Hogan
NYSDEC Headquarters
50 Wolf Rd
Albany, NY 12233
(518)457-2224

Use the talking points above or just relate your experiences of hiking Ramapo Torne. Even bring photographs taken of views that will be disturbed by the proposed power plant. Tell about fishing or canoeing on the Ramapo River. You don't need to be a professional to testify. There will be professionals to comment on the details of environmental impacts. Most of you can contribute an impassioned, personal perspective.