Concerned About Protecting Sterling Forest State Park?

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PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED

September 26, 2005

7:30 PM  Tuxedo Elementary School Multi-purpose Room

Route 17 & Hillside Ave.

Re:  Plan to build Sterling Forge Estates - 107 luxury homes in the heart of Sterling Forest State Park

See a viewshed map of where these houses would be visible from.

On September 26, 2005 the Public Hearing will continue 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.

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 a key section of one of the two most biological diverse areas in New York State (the other is the Shawangunks).  This is 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 studies 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 continued Public Hearing. 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.

We would like to hear from you that you will be attending.  You can let us know by e-mailing: Sue Scher at sscher5@optonline.net.  Please include your organization’s contact e-mail address

For those who will speak at the hearing, organize points for a 3-minute presentation.  If you need to refer to the current 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 sscher5@optonline.net, 845-351-2883 or Mary Yrizarry, aracari@frontiernet.net 845-783-4302.

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 2^nd traffic stop light to Hillside Ave. on the right.   Parking is on both sides of Hillside Ave. 

TAKE ACTION NOW

PUBLIC HEARING July 18, 2005

7:30 PM Tuxedo Town Hall

Re: Plan to build Sterling Forge Estates - 107 luxury homes in the heart of Sterling Forest State Park

On July 18, 2005 there will be a 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.

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 if you will attend. You can let us know by e-mailing:John Mack, or you can call the Trail Conference and speak to Ramon McMillan (201-512-9348 x10). We especially encourage residents of Tuxedo, Sloatsburg and southern Orange County to speak. For those who will speak at the hearing, either

• organize points for a 3-minute presentation. Read our KEY 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. Or,
• representatives of the Sterling Forest Partnership will provide you with material to read. We will be sending them a list of attendees; you can also approach them at meeting time. Ask for Sue Scher.

If you are unable to attend, written comments are strongly encouraged. They are accepted up to 10 days after the closing of the hearing and should be addressed to:

Kenneth Magar, Supervisor
and Town Board Meetings
Town of Tuxedo
Town Hall
1 Temple Dr.
Tuxedo, NY 10987

A copy should be addressed to Elaine Laurent, Town Clerk

Directions to Tuxedo Town Hall.

Route 17 north through Sloatsburg into Tuxedo. Left turn on to Hospital Road (one block after the first light in the town of Tuxedo). Drive one block up to the white building with columns which is the Town Hall – 1 Temple Drive.

Contact Us

Write to legislators

Refer to the LIST OF LEGISLATORS for names and addresses. The KEY FACT SHEET will supply you with points to make or use one of our sample letters, PDF DOC, as a base or reply online via Sierra Activist and use their letter (which you can modify).