A short preview of NYNOW’s report on “Water Infrastructure Debate in the Hudson Valley”. The entire show will be posted online Monday morning, and may get a second airing on MetroFocus on Thirteen (PBS).
KingstonCitizens.org Follows Up With Kingston Water Department/Board: FOIL Request and Questions.
By Rebecca Martin
Members of KingstonCitizens.org followed up with Water Department Superintendent Judy Hansen and the Water Board with a FOIL request for all documents discussed on November 12th as well as the questions asked by Jennifer Schwartz Berky for a follow-up.
VIDEO: Kingston Water Board Meeting 11/12/14
After today’s Water Board meeting, I would advise that the Town of Ulster – or anyone else for that matter – to stop stating that the City of Kingston’s Water Department will benefit from the sale of water to Niagara until there are estimated budgets and science in place to be absolutely sure.
Special thanks to Clark Richters of Kingston News for capturing today’s meeting.
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Why the City of Kingston Should Be an Involved Agency in SEQR
By Rebecca Martin
ACTION: There are only four days left for Kingston to be added as an Involved Agency. Call Mayor Shayne Gallo at 845/334-3902 or email sg****@*********ny.gov to request that a new letter from the Corporation Council be issued to the Town of Ulster requesting the City of Kingston be Involved Agency. Here is why:
Recent NY State Water Regulations Not Ready for Prime Time
By David Ganje
In New York state, groundwater rights are based on landownership rights. A property owner can withdraw as much water for use provided the rights of other property owners are not adversely affected. Water systems in the state require Water Supply Permits issued by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) if they have the capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day or more of ground or surface water and they do not qualify for an exemption under state regulations.
ACTION: Request Positive Declaration Determination in SEQR for the Proposed Niagara Bottling Company project.
By Rebecca Martin
ACTION: Contact those listed below to alert them that the ACTION in the current Environment Assessment Form (EAF) for SEQR (drafted by Niagara/The Chazen Companies) is too narrow in scope and might jeopardize a positive declaration determination which would allow for a full Environmental Impact Statement and further public Comment.
Town of Ulster Supervisor James Quigley on Initial Reports to Show Fiscal Benefits/Impacts of Niagara, Incremental Infrastructure Costs. “Have we seen anything? No. Because they don’t exist yet.”
By Rebecca Martin
Attached is video from tonight’s Town of Ulster Town Board meeting (11/6/14). Public comment begins at 29:10 where the board (i.e. Supervisor James Quigley) defensively answers questions regarding the Niagara Bottling Plant proposal. The questions posed include those on infrastructure costs, trailor truck traffic, City of Kingston resolutions, tax implications and a request to learn of any analysis on the fiscal benefits/costs of the Niagara project. Residents were told that the TOU is awaiting the start of the SEQR process and has done no preliminary research or has any information to share.
Insightful Letter to the DEC from Town of Woodstock Supervisor Jeremy Wilber
By Rebecca Martin
The attached letter was written by Town of Woodstock Supervisor Jeremy Wilber who shares solid arguments as to why the DEC should be Lead Agency in SEQR for the proposed Niagara Water Bottling project. In contrast for me, it raises more concerns as to Kingston Corporation Council Andy Zweben’s recent letter also to the DEC. Where are his loyalties placed?
Luckily, Kingston’s Common Council are asking the same questions and will vote on a Memoralizing resolution in support of the COK being an ‘Involved Agency’ in SEQR on Tuesday, November 4th.
SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th At 7:30pm: In Support of Kingston’s Common Council Being Listed as an ‘Involved Agency’ in SEQR.
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.
KingstonCitizens.org Announces New Citizen Committees to Focus on Proposed Niagara Bottling Water Sale in Kingston, NY.
By Rebecca Martin
KingstonCitizens.org proudly announces it’s new Citizen Committees to focus on the Proposed Niagara Bottling Water Sale in Kingston, NY.
Residents are invited to join and are asked to be in touch with the chair of any of the committee’s of interest by Friday, October 31st. First meetings will be organized the week of November 3rd. If you happen to miss the deadline, don’t fret! Citizens can join at any time. We are simply looking to get a head count prior to each committee’s first official meetings.
VISIT the KingstonCitizens.org ‘Citizen Committees’ page. You will find it in the menu heading. Click on ‘Proposed Niagara Water Sale’ for all committee information.
Below is our recent press release and a list of the committees for easy access.
It’s an incredible and exciting crew of citizen leaders! Join us as we broaden our abilities and thank you for your participation.
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Kingston Water Board Commissioners Appointments and Terms
Today, we acquired the appointment and terms of the current City of Kingston Water Board Commissioners Appointments and Terms.
Corporation Council Andy Zweben: “The City of Kingston is not an “Involved” Agency
By Rebecca Martin
Perhaps the most disappointing letter that I have seen in the past four weeks since beginning this work is one initiated by the City of Kingston’s Corporation Council Andrew Zweben – a public sector lawyer dated 10/24/14 -appears to be working against our Common Council’s memorializing resolution. Why?
DEC Declines Lead Agency Role. Requests the SEQR Action Expand Its Scope.
By Rebecca Martin
Although the DEC declined to take Lead Agency of the SEQR for the proposed Niagara Bottling Company project, they do bring many important things to light in their letter. All of which can help us to ultimately assure a fair SEQR process which is our aim.
ACTION: Contact Martin Brand of DEC Regarding SEQR Action and Lead Agency.
By Rebecca Martin
ACTION: Contact all listed below to alert them that the ACTION in the current Environment Assessment Form (EAF) for SEQR (drafted by Niagara/The Chazen Companies) is too narrow in scope. It does not include the SALE of water from its supply sources in Woodstock to Niagara and is a critical part of the entire project that needs to be environmentally reviewed by SEQR under ONE Lead Agency (that being the DEC) before any decisions can be made or actions taken by any involved agency, including the City of Kingston Water Department.
VIDEO: Kingston Common Council General Government / Public Safety Meeting 10/22/14
By Rebecca Martin
The Town of Ulster Planning Board from 10/21/14. Special thanks to Clark Richters of Kingston News for capturing the evening.