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PLACE: Suffern Free Library - Large Meeting Room, downstairs 210 Lafayette Avenue (Route 59), Suffern, New York 10:30 A.M. Reports on Important Environmental Issues "Protecting the Streams of Rockland County" 11:15 A.M. Program: SAVING THE PALISADES This documentary describes the rescue of the Palisades by the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs. During the 1890s, the cliffs were being blasted by quarry companies for valuable gravel needed to build roads and construct buildings in expanding New York City. After a five-year battle, the Women's Clubs, with other notable individuals, and the Rockefeller, Harriman and Perkins Families successfully stopped the devastation. Lunch will be served. RCCA MEMBERSHIP 2003 The generous support of members and friends makes it possible for the Association to carry on its work. Now it is time to renew that support for 2003. Each member is so very important to this volunteer organization. Please renew. Thank You.
Report on Indian Point Evacuation Plans The report by James Lee Witt, private consultant and former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, states that emergency evacuation plans are inadequate to protect the public from a disastrous leak of radiation at the Indian Point nuclear plant in Westchester County. The plans do not fully address the possibility of a terrorist attack at the facility. It also described the four-county drills held every two years as ineffective. Mr. Witt's report was made public on January 10. It is available online at www.wittassociates.com. After the report was released, RCCA promptly called for congressional hearings on Indian Point. RCCA's action on Indian Point goes back many years. In 1974, it joined with the Westchester-based Citizens' Committee for the Protection of' the Environment in petitioning the Atomic-Energy Commission to show cause why Construction Authority for Indian Point 3 and Operating Authority for Indian Point I and 2 should not be revoked. The U.S. Geological Survey of the Ramapo Fault was one of many safety issues involved. An estimated twenty million people live within a 50-mile radius of Indian Point. Common sense dictates that the facility should be shut down. When will common sense prevail? We Do Not Need Indian Point's Electricity -Contrary to Entergy's alarming claims, close; Point will NOT cause "rolling blackouts" or "40% price spikes." A recent study shows that without Indian Point there is enough electricity supply and import capability available for the northern part of the Con Edison territory (Westchester). The same study explains that without Indian Point there is enough electricity supply available for the southern part of the Con Edison territory (NYC) 80% of NYC's electricity must be supplied by sources within the city limits and adequate supplies exist to make up for the remaining 20%. Information from, Riverkeeper, 845-424-4149
RCCA Eleanor Burlingham Award This award is given each year to a graduating senior from a Rockland County high school who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in environmental conservation. Applications for the $500 award will be available in March. For further information you may call Faith Leigh at 357-1166 or Jeanne Nelson at 358-1934.
Thirty Years Later...On November 9, 2002 three Rockland County Conservation Association (RCCA) board members attended an all-day symposium at the Pace Law School entitled Revisiting Golden v. Ramapo (1972) and Its Current Relevance. This was a unique opportunity for attendees to learn about a landmark case that set the tone for what would later be known as "smart growth". Legal scholars came from as far as Hawaii to give praise to the concepts engendered in the notion of orderly growth, as developed by the Town of Ramapo. A concept where growth is staged and development would be permitted when the town could provide commensurate facilities or services. The Ramapo of this lauded decision was indeed the very town we know in Rockland County. So what has happened in Rockland since then? Ramapo has added many villages to its map; each with its own plans for development, while still depending on the town for many services. Flooding from hurricane Floyd highlighted the understanding that quality of life depends not solely on real estate development but by how we treat our environment. New Jersey reminded us of our dependence on shared services and natural resources by pointing out the lack of recharge to rivers and the resulting impact to their water resources. Or perhaps the reminder was the agreed upon water flow to their reservoirs from Rockland's Lake DeForest. While the rain and snow have relieved our most recent drought, the pressures of improper development will continue to lean heavily on our drinking water supply. Traffic conditions must be considered when navigating throughout the county, all the while creating additional burden to our already compromised air quality (Rockland is in a severe non-attainment ozone zone). Bequeathed land given for open space has now been designated for the development of a power substation, in order to meet increased energy demands. Some schools have cut programs in order to accommodate over-crowded classrooms High cancer and asthma rates besiege our families and neighbors. Buildings that once were to house an entrepreneur's dream of success now stand empty. Assurances -given by the eager developers of one of the nations largest malls have been washed-out by the still existing drainage problems of building on swamplands. Further development is yet on the horizon for Rockland County. Thirty years have gone by since that landmark decision and throughout that time members of RCCA have continuously worked toward the preservation of our natural resources and environment, albeit with some frustrations. Consideration of our environment must be given the same attention that a smart successful business gives to risk management. Control of exposures to avoid loss is the key for any smart planning. Rockland has a rich history with natural beauty and resources well worth preserving. Therefore, planning must consider what is lost not only what is pined by development. Only then can how and when development occurs, best be determined. Dorice Madronero
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Last Updated: September 09, 2003 |
