No Mega Warehouses for the Catskills

In recent years, the Catskill Region has been overwhelmed by massive, poorly planned developments that endanger its groundwater, streams, wetlands, and the character of our communities. These large-scale proposals are inundating town planning boards, and the newest proposal for a 1.5 million square foot warehouse (equivalent to 25 football fields) on the banks of the Neversink River in the Town of Thompson is the latest example of an overscale and irresponsibly sited proposal.

This proposed commercial development, the Heiden Road Warehouse, threatens the very heart of the Catskill headwaters. Not only could this warehouse severely impact the Neversink River ...

In recent years, the Catskill Region has been overwhelmed by massive, poorly planned developments that endanger its groundwater, streams, wetlands, and the character of our communities. These large-scale proposals are inundating town planning boards, and the newest proposal for a 1.5 million square foot warehouse (equivalent to 25 football fields) on the banks of the Neversink River in the Town of Thompson is the latest example of an overscale and irresponsibly sited proposal.

This proposed commercial development, the Heiden Road Warehouse, threatens the very heart of the Catskill headwaters. Not only could this warehouse severely impact the Neversink River's ecological integrity, permanently degrading the world-renowned cold-water fishery that is a critical resource for local residents and visitors alike, but it could also have severe air pollution impacts for the surrounding New York State identified disadvantaged communities (DACs). Right now we have the opportunity to submit comments to the Town of Thompson Planning Board, advising them on the proposed items and issues that the Heiden Warehouse developers must include in the environmental evaluation of their proposal.

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Email the Town of Thompson Planning Board

Use our one-click tool to submit your comments to the Town of Thompson Planning Board, urging them to require an expanded scope for the environmental evaluation of the Heiden Road Warehouse. By submitting your comment today, you’ll help protect the Neversink River and surrounding communities by advocating for clean water and clean air.

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Dear Members of the Town of Thompson Planning Board,

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this comment on the Draft Scoping Document for the Heiden Road Riverside Warehouse Project. I write this comment in support of those submitted by Catskill Mountainkeeper, New York Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and Trout Unlimited, and as a member of the broader community of anglers, hunters and environmental stewards committed to protecting the Neversink River and Catskill region and supporting thriving local communities.

The immense size and location of the Heiden Road Riverside Warehouse (proposed action) requires an expanded scope of environmental review than is currently detailed in the draft scoping document. Currently, the proposed action is a significant commercial development that could severely impact the Neversink Rivers’ ecological integrity, permanently degrading the world-renowned cold-water fishery that is a critical resource for the region. The proposed action could also have severe air pollution impacts among other environmental impacts for the surrounding New York State identified disadvantaged communities.

In order to adequately address community concerns regarding the potential environmental and health impacts that could occur as a result of this proposed action, I recommend that the following proposed issues are identified, included, expanded upon and addressed within the Final Scoping Document and DEIS:
1. Thermal Runoff and Impervious Surfaces
2. Sedimentation and Erosion Control
3. Riparian Buffer Zone Analysis
4. Aquifer Depletion and Base Flow Reduction
5. Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Discharge
6. Contaminants from Trucking and Operations
7. Aesthetics, Visual Impacts and Natural Beauty
8. Fisheries Survey Mandate
9. Community Character
10. Climate Change
11. Disadvantaged Communities
12. Mitigation and Alternative Analysis

To protect this region, local residents and our shared air and water resources, I urge you to incorporate these critical cold-water fisheries, water quantity/aquifer, water quality, chemical contamination, and aesthetic degradation assessments into the Final Scope of the Environmental Impact Statement. The long-term protection of the region’s aquatic resources, including endangered species like the Brook Floater and vital trout populations, the preservation of the area's natural recreational integrity, and the protection of vulnerable communities requires a rigorous, science-based approach that anticipates and mitigates the unique threats posed by large-scale impervious and industrial development.
 
I look forward to reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and engaging further on this matter.

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