WHAT KINGSTONCITIZENS.ORG BELIEVES:
The Niagara Bottling Company’s proposal must be thoroughly evaluated for its environmental and economic impacts on our region. It is premature and irresponsible to agree to sell our water before due diligence is performed.
On November 4th, 2014 at 7:30pm the Kingston Common Council will meet to vote on a proposed resolution to become an “Involved Agency,” which means they have a role in commenting on the proposed action.
You can support our Common Council’s bold move to protect our interests by coming to speak at this meeting.
Public Comment begins at 7:30pm.
Please arrive 10 minutes early to sign-up to speak.
WE BELIEVE…
The Kingston Common Council should be an ‘Involved Agency’ in the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Process.
HERE’S WHY:
- Kingston’s Water Board has rushed to grant Niagara access to 25% of our daily water capacity without any evaluation of the impacts on our water supply from Cooper Lake. The Water Board is not accountable to the public.
- The Town of Ulster is not acting in good faith. The Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) that Niagara Bottling Company’s consultant The Chazen Companies submitted to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) missed items that would trigger more environmental review.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Demand that the ACTION in the EAF broaden its scope to include both the water delivery and wastewater discharges into the Esopus Creek along with the construction of the new facility.
* Demand that the SEQR process be transparent and considers all the impacts that could affect our water supply and well-being.
WE BELIEVE…
There will be significant environmental impacts from this project. There should be a “Positive Declaration” for SEQR.
HERE’S WHY:
- A Positive Declaration is necessary when an action may result in one or more significant environmental impacts. A Positive Declaration would require an Environmental Impact Statement before agency decisions may be made regarding the Niagara proposal.
- Necessary studies include whether the capacity of our water supply in Cooper Lake, last tested in 1961, is adequate to meet our needs and safely sell 25% to a private company.
- Niagara has a history of illegal dumping violations; they continue to dump because the fines are a tiny fraction of their profits.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Explain that the risks are too high. We need detailed, scientific studies.
WE BELIEVE…
The Niagara Bottling project is likely to result in higher costs to taxpayers.
HERE’S WHY:
- Start-Up New York gives Niagara a 10-year tax -exemption including NYS income tax, property (including Kingston school) taxes.
- Niagara Bottling has a track record of suing communities that has led to increased water rates and higher taxes.
- Niagara bottling company jobs are very low paying. The average job at Niagara pays $10,000 less than other manufacturing jobs and 33% lower than the national industry average.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
* Ask your Mayor, Common Council, and elected representatives to pursue real economic development with responsible, respectful companies that offer quality, high-paying jobs.
What:
Kingston Common Council Meeting
When:
November 4, 2014
7:30pm
(please arrive 10 minutes early to sign-up to speak)
Where:
Kingston City Hall Council Chambers
420 Broadway
Kingston, NY
By KC.org`s Communications Committee
Visit KingstonCitizens.org for more facts on the proposal and how to get involved.
Facebook page: facebook.com/KingstonCitizens
ee have to stop Niaggra water.