Otsego County has announced there will not be an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared for the proposed Richfield Springs Industrial Park. “The project is not of sufficient size, scale or mass and does not exceed the threshold criteria... nor will the project have a significant impact on human environment...” according to information provided by the county on which this decision was based. Instead, the county has assumed environmental review responsibilities for this project from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as per HUD environmental review regulations. An Environmental Review Record, which has been prepared by the county, can be viewed by the public at the clerk’s office in Cooperstown. Additional comments, either in support of or opposition to the proposed project, may be submitted in writing only by the public to the county until June 9. In addition to announcing the decision not to complete an EIS, the county recently gave “notice of intent to request the release of funds” from the New York State Governor’s Office for Small Cities (GOSC). In order to receive the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) totaling $500,000, the county must submit a request for release of grant funds and an environmental certification to GOSC around June 12. The $500,000 will be used for access road and utility construction, estimated to cost a total of $850,000. “No further environmental review of this project is proposed to be conducted, prior to release of funds,” according to county officials. However, the county will not actually “request the release of funds or take any administrative action” on the project prior to the expiration date of the comment period designated. The 12 acres slated for construction of this project located across from the Department of Transportation facility on Route 28, just south of Richfield Springs, has been the subject of controversy for months. Some local residents argue the development of this land because of the historical and environmental impact to the community, with its wetlands and abandoned railroad line. “Our interest is to see it developed as a recreational source,” said Ben Gottfried, a resident who supports the preservation of historic railroad lines running through a portion of the business park property. Gottfried noted that there is 150 feet of frontage that already includes a roadway into the business park and that the area where the railroad lines run through does not need to be disturbed. Economic Development Specialist Carolyn Lewis could not be reached prior to deadline. Comments are to be addressed to Terry Bliss, who has been named as the certifying officer for the project. Mail all comments to Bliss at 197 Main Street, Cooperstown, before June 9. Any objections regarding the intent to request funding may also be mailed to Bliss, prior to June 27.
|