Concerned Residents of Southeast
Post Office Box 762
Brewster, New York 10509

Mr. Jeff Wiegert
Department Environmental Conservation
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz, New York 12561-1698
Via e-mail: jawieger@gw.dec.state.ny.us

31 December 2003

Dear Mr. Wiegert,

I am writing on behalf of the over 500 members of Concerned Residents of Southeast. Although our obvious concerns are within the Town of Southeast the proposed ‘Model Forest Plan’ in Kent is of great relevance to us. Undoubtedly you are aware that almost our entire town lies within the NYC watershed.

Over the past two years we have found our organization fighting more and more unsustainable development and sprawl in Southeast. A result of this development has been increased traffic, less open space, compromised water, and a general decline in the quality a rural life can offer. We understand that a ‘Model Forest’ may deter some future development but in this case we do not feel that the positives outweigh the negatives.

The beauty, the recreational value, the peace and solitude that a mature forest offers cannot be measured economically. To trade these valuable resources as a lesson in ‘outreach and education’ seems misguided at best, especially within the watershed.

The old arsenic mines in the Nimham area are also of great concern to CRSE. It is imperative that should the ‘Model Forest Plan’ go forward an in-depth study of logging impacts on the old mines be undertaken. I’m sure that the DEC is aware of arsenic traces found in nearby residential wells. These wells poisoned several people about twelve years ago.

In conclusion, Concerned Residents of Southeast is hopeful that the DEC will reconsider the ‘Model Forest Plan’ for the Mt. Nimham and entire Croton watershed area allowing our forests to mature naturally.

Sincerely,

Lynne A. Eckardt
Executive Board Member CRSE