Write a letter to the Fishkill Town Board and a letter to the DEC requesting that the DEC be named a Lead Agency for the project. More information here: http://philipstownfacts.com/?page_id=317

WRITE THIS (LONG) LETTER (or similar) and email it or mail it to the DEC!!


[DATE]

Al Ciesluk
Director of Regional Permit Administration
Region 3 Program
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561-1696

Dear Director Ciesluk,

The destruction of our natural resources by commercial interests is one the most pressing issues we face today. As Director of Region 3 Program of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, you have the power to save a vital source of drinking water for residents of Putnam and Duchess Counties.

The Clove Creek Aquifer that runs through Fishkill and Philipstown is the area’s only “Primary Aquifer” providing pure water to seven (7) communities across two (2) counties, via residential wells and the Village of Fishkill’s Reservoir and water system, ultimately feeding: The Village of Fishkill, City of Beacon, the towns of Philipstown, East Fishkill, Wappingers, and Fishkill, as well as the Downstate Correctional Facility.

In addition to pure well-water, the Clove Creek Aquifer provides vital purity to dilution of non-potable water from the Town of Fishkill’s contaminated wells, thereby reducing concentrations of contaminants in their system sufficiently restoring potability where it has been lost.

The Clove Creek Aquifer is AT RISK: The Town of Fishkill has submitted to the DEC a Draft Environmental Impact Study, Coordination Letter and a Notice of Intent to be Lead Agency on the Highland Valley Development Project, a 210+ unit, high-density residential community that will sit above Clove Creek Aquifer.

Please OBJECT to Town of Fishkill as Lead Agency. The Town of Fishkill will not be a responsible steward of the region’s only Primary Aquifer. Please DECLARE the DEC to be Lead Agency. Only the DEC can be relied upon by so many vulnerable residents outside the Town of Fishkill to manage the Highland Valley Development Project and ultimately protect the Clove Creek Aquifer.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[City or Town], NY

Or write this shorter letter and send it to the DEC.


[DATE]

Al Ciesluk
Director of Regional Permit Administration
Region 3 Program
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561-1696

Dear Director Ciesluk,

The Clove Creek Aquifer in Philipstown and Fishkill, New York is our area’s ONLY PRIMARY AQUIFER, providing water to seven (7) communities. It is at risk of contamination by aggressive residential development in Fishkill, New York.

Please, stop the Town of Fishkill. The Town of Fishkill is NOT A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD of the region’s water supply!

The DEC must be the LEAD AGENT on the Highland Development Project is a 200+ unit residential development, planned for construction on top of the Clove Creek Aquifer.

Please intercede and prevent the destruction of this Primary Aquifer!

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[City or Town], NY

Thanks, Stephanie! I called the DEC yesterday and was told that I should send a letter to
Mr. Al Ciesluk, Environmental Permits Administrator
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, NY 12561-1696
or via email to afcieslu@gw.dec.state.ny.us
I sent him an e-mail, but I did not receive a response.
Please check out http://philipstownfacts.com/ for news and updates on the Highland Valley Development. It's a brand new site, so check back often!

Julia, and ALL letter writers --

In our correspondence to DEC we must stress that the proposed development threatens a Primary Aquifer (Clove Creek Aquifer) that feeds multiple communities, not just the Town of Fishkill.

The DEC must understand that this is a REGIONAL issue - not just local to Fishkill.

Go forth and vote with your stamps! Please!

Where’s the “Like” button on this thing?