HIGHLAND — Following the Highland Planning Board’s recent approval of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Camp Fimfo project in Barryville, community members were invited to a public hearing at the Eldred Junior/Senior High School Wednesday night to lend their thoughts on the project aimed at revamping the former Kittatinny Canoes campsite.

Over 30 voices joined in and raised either their support or disdain for the DEIS report’s findings on the project, as some found the study worthy of moving the project forward, while others found it lacking in its addressing of environmental issues related to any potential changes to the campsite.

While over a dozen were happy with the report’s findings, over 20 individuals, both on behalf of themselves and other organizations, like the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, vocally protested the DEIS as presented. 

What is in the DEIS?

The DEIS, or Draft Environmental Impact Study, was prepared by LaBella Associates in Poughkeepsie and notes that the applicant and owner, Sun NG Kittatinny RV LLC, managed by Northgate Resorts and Sun Communities, is “seeking site plan and special use permit approval from the Town of Highland Planning Board for improvements to an existing, seasonally-operated Recreational Vehicle (RV) campground known as the Kittatinny Campgrounds and Canoes – Barryville Base.”

According to the draft, these “improvements” would see 279 campsites updated, including 194 that would be converted to RV campsites, with the overall reduction of sites from 342 to 335. Additionally, the existing Welcome Center would be replaced with a new building at the same location, and the two Maintenance Buildings would be demolished and replaced with a single, new building with laundry facilities in a new location.

The project proposes a total of 956 parking spaces, up from its current 684 spaces.

“Currently, the campground employs a total of 46 employees (part-time and full-time). With the improvements, Camp Fimfo will result in 89 new full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs,” the DEIS reads.

With all of these changes and more, the DEIS states that “there are no significant adverse environmental impacts that have been identified” as a result of the study. 

The full draft can be viewed at this link: www.townofhighlandny.com/camp-fimfo-deis-study-link-available.

Why some are for

Among those who spoke in favor of the project were Marc Baez and Vanessa McPhillips, President/CEO and Director of Economic Development Strategic Planning for the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, respectively, as well as Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Ashley Leavitt, former Kittatinny Canoes owner David Jones and current General Manager Rocco Baldessari, among a handful of others. Also showing support was Jaime Schmeiser, Director of Workforce Development at SUNY Sullivan.

Former Kittatinny Canoe owner, David Jones, was one of over a dozen who expressed their positive opinion on the DEIS, who was joined by others claiming that Camp Fimfo would be “good neighbors” to the residents of Highland.

Additonally, as expressed by Director of Economic Development Strategic Planning for the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, Vanessa McPhillips, the DEIS predicts that the reduction of total campsites will bring the maximum occupancy down by 17 percent (2,838 to 2,362 people.)

Why some are not

Among the myriad of reasons why people raised their oppositions to the DEIS is that of concerns regarding the possible disruption of historic and environmental significance along the approximate 235-acre long plot along the river. People also criticized the use of the terms that characterize Kittatinny Canoes as a “RV campground” that “has been in operation for more than 80 years” – protesting that this is actually a mischaracterization, where most campers mainly used temporary shelter – like tents. They expressed worry that the allowance of RV’s would be taken advantage of by long-term residents, advertanly affecting the potential of increase damage during floods within the floodplane.

Concern was also paid to the plan to compete with local shops with their own  general market, which objectors said could disrupt other local business that would otherwise receive business from camp-goers, as well as increase the potential for issues involving water drainage and run-off. 

Another perspective was shared in the worries that as membership in volunteer fire departments and EMS services in the immediate area has either stagnated or slowed, the stress of answering calls has remained at an all-time high through mutal aid – with an upgraded Camp Fimfo campsite potentially adding to that stress.

Some dissenters, such as Highland born-and-raised Marcella Winograd, denoted the DEIS as an attempt at “greenwashing” the project – which is defined as an attempt to deceive or misinterpret the impact a project or entity may have on the environment.

“How do you upgrade and improve a place so special, so unique, and so natural that it has received Federal recognition for these qualities?” said, Anneke van Rossum, Delaware Riverkeeper Advocacy and Policy Coordinator and Highland resident. “Camp Fimfo will out-price people...and that in itself is totally misaligned with the character and culture of this area to be diverse and inclusive.”

Comment period still open

Planning Board Chair Jeffrey Spitz noted that the process is “still a bit away from any action or decision” Wednesday night.

Written comments will be accepted by the board until January 10 via their email planningboardzba@townofhighlandny.com. As part of their review, the board has already received at least 51 letters pertaining to community input on the DEIS.