In 2006, Riverkeeper learned of the proposed expansion of the Bedford Community Church and urged the Town to issue a Positive Declaration and require preparation of a full DEIS for the project. In August 2007, we submitted comments on the Draft Scope to ensure that all impacts are examined, avoided, and mitigated.

The proposed expansion requires development of 5.7 acres to erect a church that seats 750 people and contains 14 classrooms and a banquet hall. The proposal also includes plans to build a 250-car parking lot and supporting infrastructure, requiring extensive use of paved / impervious surfaces. Preliminary details indicate that 28% of this project will be built on slopes of 15% or greater, an unwise practice that disturbs fragile land, and may result in increased erosion from the slopes and sediment loading into streams. Runoff from the site flows into Broad Brook and ultimately reaches the Muscoot Reservoir, one of the main collecting points for all of the reservoirs in the Croton Watershed. Additional concerns include placement of stormwater control basins adjacent the wetland system bordering Broad Brook, and placement of the proposed wastewater disposal fields.

We will continue to review this project when the DEIS is released.