July 14, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Staff Attorney Rebecca Troutman
(914) 478-4501 x 241
rtroutman@riverkeeper.org


Riverkeeper Challenges Haverstraw’s Procedure on UWNY Desalination Plant Proposal and Calls for DEC Leadership

July 14, 2008 (Tarrytown, NY) Riverkeeper submitted written comments today to the Town of Haverstraw for inclusion in the record of the July 14 hearing [8pm at Haverstraw Town Hall] for a Special Permit for United Water New York’s proposed Pilot Plant for Desalination of Hudson River water. Riverkeeper outlines certain troubling and illegal aspects of this application process concerning the protection of the environment and sensitive coastal areas, resource management, the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the Haverstraw Town code, costs to be imposed on the community, and inconsistencies in the record concerning the pilot plant. Currently, the Town of Haverstraw is proceeding with the approval process of the pilot plant, having stated that the project is exempt from review under SEQRA.

Riverkeeper calls for a “hard look” under SEQRA to examine the alternatives to this proposal which include the use of the Ambrey Pond reservoir, additional groundwater use, reuse of wastewater, increased use of Lake DeForest, the use of Suffern Quarry, and the use of “Green Infrastructure” to better harvest storm water and utilize more of Rockland’s 43 inches of annual rain. Rockland’s climate is far from that of Saudi Arabia, where 4 inches of annual rainfall does lead to use of the highly expensive desalination option. Currently, Rockland is under a DEC imposed Consent Order to abate its sewage overflows caused by excess storm water improperly entering into the infrastructure. The potential increase in water supply which might be gained at a very low cost from re-engineering the management of that rainwater should be studied.

Riverkeeper has learned that, by a letter dated July 7, 2008, DEC informed UWNY that they must submit all application documentation to the state agency for review, despite their initial failure to do so, which stood as “inconsistent” with an earlier agreement. “Riverkeeper is hopeful that Regional Director Janeway and the DEC will act as the lead agency in this troubling proposal to ensure a legally sufficient environmental review of the impacts, and to require a thorough analysis of all reasonable alternatives before any investment, construction or final decisions occur. The environment and communities of Rockland County deserve no less,” stated Riverkeeper Staff Attorney Rebecca Troutman.

Ms. Troutman adds: “United Water New York and the Town of Haverstraw should not be allowed give short-shrift to local law and the requirements of SEQRA, especially given the soaring energy costs and construction costs which would be imposed on the citizens of Rockland County. Moreover, the Town of Haverstraw and United Water should not be counted on to make the best decisions for the entire county, or to protect the State’s natural resources including the natural water supply, sensitive coastal areas, the Hudson River eco-system, and air quality and greenhouse gas concerns resulting from the intensive energy use necessary for desalination.”

ABOUT RIVERKEEPER: Riverkeeper is an independent member-supported environmental organization. Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect the Hudson River, and its tributaries, and the New York City drinking water supply. For more information, please visit www.riverkeeper.org.

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Legal Background:
The State Environmental Quality Review Act, (SEQRA) requires a thorough assessment of all reasonable alternatives, adverse impacts and findings on mitigation measures prior to final agency decision. Impacts to the following are to be analyzed under SEQRA: land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, noise, resources of agricultural, archaeological, historic or aesthetic significance, existing patterns of population concentration, distribution or growth, existing community or neighborhood character and human health. SEQRA generally prohibits the segmentation of projects: related actions are to be considered together, such that smaller components do not evade review, and the best decisions result.

Green Infrastructure and Storm Water Management
Across the country, many government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C. (EPA) are finding that use of Green Infrastructure for the management of storm water and the reuse of that water is not only preferable for the environment, but also the most cost-efficient option, and confers substantial additional aesthetic and practical benefits to communities. Riverkeeper advocates that the principles articulated in three reports on this subject be applied: EPA’s, “Reducing Stormwater Costs Through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices;” Riverkeeper’s, “Sustainable Raindrops;” and NRDC’s “Rooftops to Rivers.” EPA’s memorandum from Benjamin Grumbles to the Regional Administrators on this subject, dated March 5, 2007, provides additional relevant information and strongly supports these measures.

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