LACKAWAXEN AND SHOHOLA TOWNSHIPS — Lackawaxen and Shohola townships are working together on a multi-municipal comprehensive plan.
Click here for more information.
ALBANY, NY — ALBANY, NY Opponents of the proposed new power line that would traverse the region have expressed doubts that the mediation process now underway will produce any agreement between themselves and the power line company.
The New York Public Service Commission (PSC) began the process with a meeting in Albany on January 25, which was held to lay the ground rules about how the process will unfold.
"If the parties can voluntarily come together on certain issues, it is a more efficient way to move forward," said state Public Service Commission spokeswoman Ann Dalton.
But according to at least two opponents, the parties are not likely to come together.
Click here for more information.
DAMASCUS, PA — The superintendent of the National Park Service is concerned about a plan by a Narrowsburg developer who wishes to build 11 homes along the Delaware River in Damascus Township, PA a short distance north of the Narrowsburg bridge to Pennsylvania.
The project will be called Blue Stone Mountain Estates.
The developer, Robert Wiegers, is also the owner of a similar development called Eagle's Nest Estates, a controversial plan for a series of homes along the Delaware River ridge, five miles south of Narrowsburg on Route 97.
The NPS expressed its concern at the Damascus Planning Commission meeting on December 20.
Click here for more information.
PIKE COUNTY, PA — Pennsylvania's fastest growing county is taking proactive measures to preserve its most precious natural resources and rural character. In conjunction with the county's recent approval of its updated comprehensive plan, an Open Space, Greenways and Recreation Plan is nearing completion.
Among other things, the plan seeks to identify and establish county green-ways, or corridors that conserve natural areas, and provide people with recreation and transportation opportunities while preserving habitat for the county's flora and fauna.
Click here for more information.
HONESDALE, PA — Farmland is disappearing at an alarming rate in the nation and in Wayne County.
In order to impact this trend locally, members of the Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau and the Agriculture Land Preservation Board are looking to preserve more farmland in Wayne County. To that end, the group appeared before the Wayne County Commissioners on December 19 to ask the county to raise their support of the farm preservation program from $30,000 to $100,000.
Click here for more information.
NARROWSBURG, NY — - The most important news coming out of the December Tusten town board meeting was the decision to withdraw the town's petition to upgrade the railroad crossing adjacent to Ackerman Road.
A public hearing was held on September 14 before a judge from Albany to discuss the pros and cons of the railroad crossing upgrade-from private to public-which was strongly desired by the developer of the Campfield Flats area. At the time, developer Salvatore Paolillo said he wanted to develop a community called Stone Arch Estates, and needed the upgrade of the crossing to provide adequate access to the lots. He said that his company would absorb the cost of the upgrade. But Tusten officials have since discovered that money had not been formally committed, so the petition to the New York Department of Transportation was withdrawn.
Click here for more information.
UPPER DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — WASHINGTON, DC - According to a press release from Congressman Maurice Hinchey's office, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has denied a request from New York Regional Interconnection, Inc. (NYRI) for early designation as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). Such a designation would have virtually guaranteed the construction of a high voltage direct current transmission line through the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor by expediting and facilitating the permitting process.
Failing that designation, NYRI would have to go through the full local, state, and federal review and permitting process before constructing a power line, thus ensuring that the voices of New York residents would be heard.
According to Bill Douglass, executive director of the Upper Delaware Council, the DOE's refusal is only for early designation as an NIETC. There is still a possibility that such a designation will be given to an area including NYRI's requested routes at some later date. However, the refusal of an early designation means that NYRI cannot proceed at this time except through normal state and local channels, and meeting the usual environmental review standards.
Click here for more information.
HORTONVILLE, NY — The Town of Delaware Town Board has received a request to extend a business zoning district along a portion of Route 17B in Hortonville. After complaints by residents opposed to the proposal at a public meeting, the zone change was unanimously rejected.
The purpose of the zoning change is unknown.
Click here for more information.
NEW YORK STATE — New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) has set hearings on its proposal to bring a power line from a terminus in Utica, NY to New Windsor in Orange County via Sullivan County. One of its two proposed routes is directly on the banks of the Upper Delaware, the other is further inland along the proposed Millenium Pipeline. The first hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the New Windsor Town Hall.
Other hearings will be held, with times and places to be announced.
Click here for more information.
HIGHLAND, NY — The town of Highland has declined to vote on Model Ridgeline Zoning Provisions at its February meeting, and has made no plans to revisit the issue in the future.
Click here for more information.
LOCH SHELDRAKE — The housing summit at Sullivan County Community College explored ideas related to ecologically sound and energy efficient construction, and ways in which Sullivan County can participate in the profits to be generated by related industries.
Click here for more information.
HIGHLAND, NY — The Highland Town Board heard opposing views regarding proposed model rideline zoning provisions. More public hearings on the issue will be scheduled in the near future.
Click here for more information.
MILFORD, PA — The National Park Service will begin limiting truck traffic on Route 209 from Bushkill to Milford.
Click here for more information.
MILFORD, PA — Two realtors and one builder have objected to the proposed $10 million scenic preservation bond issue and to the recommendations of an ad hoc committee as to how the funds should be spent.
Click here for more information.
NARROWSBURG, NY — New York State Senator John Bonacic has announced a member item of $125,000 for the Upper Delaware River corridor. $60,000 will go to the Upper Delaware Council and $65,000 to the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
Click here for more information.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Sullivan County agricultural districts are slated to lose 2,000 acres.
Click here for more information.
MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Commissioners have been fleshing out their Scenic Rural Character Preservation Bond to include factors such as water quality, wildlife habitat, and planning assistance.
Click here for more information.
HONESDALE, PA — The $2 recycling fee paid by haulers for recyclables wlil continue to fund grants to municipalities for recyling, rather than paying off the new environmental bond issue.
Click here for more information.
NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council has sent a letter to the New York DEC requesting that trout fishing be prohibited in the Upper Delaware due to stress-inducing high temperatures.
Click here for more information. 845/252-3022
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Don Sherwood announced more than $3 million in federal funding for conservation and environmental projects in Pike County.
Click here for more information.
WASHINGTON, DC — The final version of a transportation bill passed by Congress includes $600,000 to fund the construction and design of a visitors center for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
Click here for more information.
LACKAWAXEN, PA — Woodloch Pines is planning to build an additional 14 homes located near Moss Creek.
Click here for more information.
NARROWSBURG — National Park Service director Fran Mainella visited the river valley and affirmed her commitment to the local partnerships that help preserve it.
Click here for more information.
MILFORD — A recent poll says 84 percent of Pike residents are in favor of a bond issue to help preserve open land, up from 52 percent in an earlier poll.
Click here for more information.
RIVER VALLEY — The New York State Senate has unanimously approved legislation authorizing the creation of an Upper Delaware River Greenway.
Click here for more information.
TUSTEN — The Town of Tusten is applying to the Upper Delaware Council for a technical assistance grant to help it formulate an updated comprehensive plan.
Click here for more information. 845-252-7146
MILFORD — Pike County Commissioners have started drafting the language of the open space bond ballot question that will appear in November. The bond will be titled the "Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Bond."
Click here for more information. (570) 296-7613
BUSHKILL — Three owners of forest land in Pennsylvania have joined together to apply to the government's Forest Legacy Program for a conservation easement on their combined 2600 acres.
Click here for more information.
MILFORD — Pike County Commissioners made it official that they will approve placing a country open space bond on the ballot this November.
Click here for more information. (570) 296-7613
SWAN LAKE — Property owners in Swan Lake are challenging a plan for a 40-home subdivision on the lake.
Click here for more information.
HURLEYVILLE — The new Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (SASD) drew about 80 people to the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.
Click here for more information.
REGION — A new study by Sustainable Energy Developents, Inc. has concluded that wind energy may be a source of economic growth for Sullivan County.
Click here for more information.
REGION — The Pegasus Transmission Company has removed its proposal for a powerline to be routed through the Upper Delaware River Valley from the New York Independent System Operators' queue due to a "material change to request." Companies are listed on the queue pending performance and approval of impact studies. They are expected to resubmit a proposal, but the nature of the changes is not yet known.
Click here for more information. www.nyiso.org
PENNSYLVANIA — Pike County Conservation District is inviting applications for Associate Directors, who are non-voting members of the board. They contribute to planning, and may be considered to fill director vacancies.
Click here for more information. Bernadine Lennon 570-226-8220
BARRYVILLE — Heritage Estates, a 244-acre subdivision divided into 24 lots, held its grand opening and public preview.
Click here for more information. Barryville Town Hall: 845-557-3489
LACKAWAXEN — The town of Lackawaxen is retaining Chazen Associates, a 58-year-old Hudson Valley-based engineering and planning firm, as a first step in developing their comprehensive plan.
Click here for more information. Lackawaxen Township Board of Supervisors 570/685-7288
TYLER HILL — A large portion of a 980-acre property off Route 317 called Farmstead Village is being bought by a family who want the property for personal use. It had previously been thought the entire property would be developed.
Click here for more information. Damascus Township, 570-224-4410
MONTICELLO — A representative of the National Park Service wants a fully coordinated federal review of the environmental impact of the proposed five-casino legislation, with special attention paid to its effects on the river valley.
Click here for more information. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, 570-729-7134
HORTONVILLE, NY — The Town of Delaware is requiring the Top-of-the-World development on Route 97 to post a bond when it constructs new roads this spring. The development will involve 46 lots, each of about five acres, on a total of 307 acres.
Click here for more information. Town of Delaware: 845/887-5250
NARROWSBURG, NY — The owner of a 237-acre lot opposite Cackletown Road unveiled a proposal to divide all 237 acres into 24 lots. Previously he had said he would maintain 150 acres as open land.
Click here for more information. Tusten Town Hall: 845/252-7579
GLEN SPEY, NY — Supervisor LiGreci said that the town board will meet in a March 30 session to adopt an open-ended moratorium on cluster development until its new comprehensive plan is completed.
Click here for more information. Lumberland Town Hall: 845/856-8600
DAMASCUS, PA — A group of investors from New York City have made a down payment of $225,000 at the Wayne County Deed Records Office in a move to
purchase a 980-acre property in Damascus Township called Farmstead Village.
Click here for more information. Damascus Township: 570/224-4410
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Town of Cochecton Planning Board is reviewing Robert Berman's plans to clear trees and cultivate pasturelands along County Road 115 for a 175-acre Standardbred horse farm.
Click here for more information. Cochecton Town Hall: 845/932-8360.
LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Town of Cochecton Planning Board has given preliminary approval to Brookside Homes to build three large modular homes on 44 acres. If the planning board gives final approval to the project, the parcel will be subdivided into nine, seven and 26-acre properties for the new homes.
Click here for more information. Cochecton Town Hall: 845/932-8360.
| 
