“This extra layer of scrutiny is essential for ensuring that the environment is protected and that community voices are heard.””

Jessica Lansdale, President of the Lakes Communities Alliance of Rock Hill

MAMAKATING — The Town Board of Mamakating got into the mindset of conservation as they heard a renewed proposal at last Tuesday night’s Town Board meeting. Said proposal’s mission focuses on adding an additional layer of environmental review to future large-scale developments near the Delaware and Hudson Canal Reservoir Lakes.

President of the Lakes Communities Alliance of Rock Hill Jessica Lansdale returned with one mission: outline a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) designation for the region.

The Sullivan County Democrat previously reported of Lansdale first presenting the concept of a Critical Environmental Area to the Mamakating Town Board roughly a year ago, introducing it as a planning designation intended to flag environmentally sensitive areas during reviews of large-scale development projects.

Back then, she emphasized that the designation would not alter zoning, restrict private property use, or regulate everyday activities, but would instead trigger heightened environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). The Town Board had expressed interest in the concept and discussed the importance of balancing development pressures with long-term environmental protection, with the understanding that any formal action would require additional documentation and public input.

This year, she presented the year-long effort in designating the Delaware and Hudson Canal Reservoir Lakes Area and its surrounding watershed as environmentally critical under state law. Lansdale stated that the proposal has the backing of a broad coalition of residents and organizations, in addition to more than 1,200 signatures gathered from within the affected communities.

The proposed designation would cover portions of both the Town of Mamakating and the Town of Thompson, with each municipality requiring individual proposals. Should it be adopted, the designation would apply specifically to large development projects and would bring additional environmental study during the SEQRA process.

Lansdale stated that the intent wasn’t to halt development, but to ensure that major projects have meticulous evaluation in an area experiencing rapid growth.

“This extra layer of scrutiny is essential for ensuring that the environment is protected and that community voices are heard,” Lansdale stated, stressing that the region’s natural features are increasingly under pressure from large-scale proposals.

The proposal features an environmental study prepared by Annandale-based Hudsonia, a regional environmental research organization, as well as a working map which outlines the proposed boundaries. However, Landsale noted that the map is not set in stone and could be adjusted by the town should the process move forward.

The area of focus sits between the Bashakill wetland system and the Roosa Gap State Forest, extending west toward the Neversink River. Lansdale described this encapsulating region having interconnected lakes, wetlands, and streams which feed into both the Bashakill and Neversink watersheds, along with intact forests that serve as a wildlife corridor connecting several major protected areas.

Though the designation itself wouldn’t change zoning laws or prohibit development, Lansdale said it could serve as a base for future conservation efforts, such as conservation easements or overlay zoning, if the town wishes to later pursue them. Also of note was that the designation could help municipalities align with statewide climate and environmental goals.

Speaking formally to the board, Landsale inquired if they could authorize a public hearing that could allow the full presentation to be shared with residents and provide an opportunity for community discussion prior to any important decision making.

“This is not about deciding yay or nay, or even deciding what the boundaries should be should we go with this,” Lansdale assured. “It’s really just to move it forward then I can explain why everything is so critical and what it would mean in terms of development.”

Councilman Tyler Wood expressed interest in learning more before committing to a public hearing, noting the length of the presentation and its contents that could get them to do the public hearing or decide if it’s [the hearing] “a waste of time,” as well as a desire to review the material outside of a regular board meeting.

In response to Town Supervisor Peter Goodman, Lansdale agreed to schedule a separate presentation for board members, with the option for a virtual session, to walk through the materials and answer questions without consuming meeting time. Goodman agreed on pursuing this option.