Epcal - Enterprise Park at Calverton, NY
Submitted by Mindy Block on Tue, 11/11/2008 - 3:05pm.
What follows is an excellent summary of the issues by Jennifer Smith (11/09/08).
Still, Riverhead Resorts claims this is a public improvement project which it may be, but it certainly doesn't benefit the public of Suffolk County. We set aside the Pine Barrens as a way to protect our natural resources and so that we can enjoy these natural resources without big development projects in our regional parklands.
Residents with questions about Riverhead Resorts - the proposed recreation complex that backers say will bring tourists, money and jobs to the Calverton pine barrens - can quiz the project's backers and critics at a forum tonight in Hampton Bays. Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale will also be on hand.
The $2.1-billion project would place eight themed resorts, shops, restaurants and timeshare condos around an artificial lake on a 755-acre parcel of the former Grumman property at Enterprise Park, just south of Route 25. Developers would break ground in 2010, with the resort set to open in spring of 2013....
Read Complete Article in Newsday
SEQRA
In reviewing material posted by the developer, it appears as if they are moving along with SEQRA requirements to have ready when they file their application. I would like to find out if SEQRA reqires not just an environmental impact assessment of the proposed development, but a regional impact assessment. Can someone look into this and post a comment - thanks. Here's a link to
NYSDEC Environmental Assessments
.
A Reply
Response came via email
SEQRA does require that cumulative impacts such as traffic and ancillary development be analyzed. I do not know of any regional or local open space plans that specifically indicate the EPCAL site for preservation. In fact, the southern 2000 acres of the Calverton site were made part of the Pine Barrens Core as open space and so was the western portion put in the Core. All of the adopted local plans to date have called for the redevelopment of the developed portion of the airport and as I recall, the Pine Barrens Plan left it out. Sorry I could not be of more help.
- Environmental Analyst
Follow up
According to the Pine Barrens Protection Act, "The following operations or uses do not constitute development for the purposed of this article: (i) public improvements undertaken for the health, safety or welfare of the public. Such public improvements shall be consistent with the goals and objectives of this article, and shall include, but not be limited to, maintenacne of an existing road or railroad track;"
The Pine Barrens Plan further clarifies that: "all economic development activity upon the lands . . . is considered a pubic improvment" and therefore doesn't constitue development with the the meaning of all section of the Pine Barrens Protection Act."
Questions: The economic development activity undertaken at EpCal is considered public improvement. What public improvement standards have been set by the Pine Barrens Commission for the compatable growth area of which EpCal is a part? A public improvement project it may be, but does it also benefit the welfare of the public? How? And who?
A response . . .
A Response from an Environmental Advocate follows.
Hi Mindy,
Thanks for posting information about the EPCAL project online. We really appreciate your support.
You are correct the entire site is within the Pine Barrens. As for your first question, there is currently litigation in progress to help answer this and better define what is included in the term public improvement or development under the Pine Barrens Act.
Personally I do not feel that this project benefits the welfare of the public. I believe the impacts of a project this size would detract from the welfare of the regional community. The increases in traffic, air pollution, water pollution, and energy usage alone will significantly damage the quality of life for residents across the region.
Hope these comments are helpful.
Best Wishes,
Environmental Advocate