Environment DEC
From the October 2007 issue
Governor Spitzer Announces Agreement on Major Catskills Resort
A major resort attraction for winter sports enthusiasts will be ski-in/ski-out recreation at nearby BelleayreGovernor Eliot Spitzer recently announced an agreement on a major new resort complex in the Catskills-the largest and most environmentally advanced development project in the region in generations-and the protection of more than 1,400 acres of land. The agreement between Crossroads Ventures LLC, environmental groups, New York State, and New York City will end a seven-year legal and regulatory battle and allow the project to move forward while at the same time assuring strict environmental protections and land preservation.
An Economic and Environmental Win
"This project will simultaneously revitalize the region's economy, creating hundreds of new jobs, and protect the environment through green buildings, watershed protection and land preservation," said Governor Spitzer. "I thank all the parties who came to the table and accomplished great things for the Catskills. Their hard work illustrates that environmental protection and sustainable economic development can go hand in hand."
The new resort will be built on the border of Ulster and Delaware counties in the towns of Shandaken and Middletown. It is located in an environmentally sensitive area of the New York City watershed in the central Catskill Mountains. The project includes two hotels, 259 lodging units, a conference center, spa and organic golf course. The land for the resort is adjacent to state-owned Belleayre Mountain Ski Center. Once developed, it will feature ski-in/ski-out recreational opportunities. The projected cost of the project is $400 million. It is expected to create 450 full-time permanent jobs, 150 part-time jobs, as well as 1,800 construction jobs over an estimated eight-year construction period.
Annual property tax revenue of more than $2 million is expected to be paid to the towns of Shandaken and Middletown, their local school districts, and Ulster and Delaware counties. Annual sales tax revenue to the state and Ulster and Delaware counties is expected to be more than $2 million.
Water Quality to be Protected
With nine million New Yorkers relying on the Catskill-Delaware watershed to provide a safe and reliable source of drinking water, and this area being home to prized trout streams, protecting water quality was a guiding principle of this agreement. Crossroads Ventures has agreed to scale back the size of the development and shift all proposed development out of the highly sensitive and impaired Ashokan Reservoir basin.
All parties signed an "Agreement in Principle" which lays out the details. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for public review. All existing laws and regulations will govern review of the project, and opportunities for public participation will also be provided.
More Information
See the complete press release for a description of key components of the agreement, as well as more comments of officials and representatives of other organizations present at the announcement.
Related Links:
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center (leaving DEC's site)
