Planning Board
Dover Planning Board gives Rasco Conditional Negative Declaration June 21, 2010
June 21, 2010
“In recognition for the potential for adverse impacts from the use of the site as a PCS [Petroleum Contaminated Soil] processing facility, the Planning Board has imposed six SEQRA conditions on the Applicant regarding the use of the site to mitigate all significant environmental impacts.”
What is the estimated cost to remediate the potential adverse impacts if they are not properly mitigated? Given the potential for adverse impacts over an aquifer that supplies drinking water to 20,000 residents of southeastern Dutchess, why was this project not subject to full Environmental Review under SEQRA? May we suggest an escrow account be set up by the Town of Dover and funded by Rasco, if the Site Plan is approved, to pay for immediate clean up if our water supply is compromised by the Petroleum Contaminated Soil on the premises?
The Town of Dover spent nine years and a considerable sum fighting to rid itself of a problematic solid waste facility, and passed a Zoning Code prohibiting the industry from operating in Dover. One would have to think there was an element of doubt that Rasco was compliant to contemplate a Stipulation Agreement determining that Rasco was grandfathered under our current Zoning Code. What were the estimated legal fees for Hogan & Rossi to argue that Rasco was not grandfathered? How long did the supporters of the Stipulation Agreement, Supervisors Courtien, Board members Chris Galayda and Kathleen Frame, fight to uphold our Zoning Code before Supervisor Courtien signed?
Please see Rasco:Dover Planning Board “Resolution Concerning Signifcance Conditioned Negative Declaration”
Rasco: Public Comment to the Dover Planning Board, May 17, 2010: Friends of the Great Swamp
May 17, 2010
-Read May 17, 2010 letter to Dover Planning Board
*Note: printed post date is for chronological clarity. Actual post date is August 13, 2010.
Rasco: Dover Planning Board continues Public Hearing, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
[Planning Board] Member Johnson- you had valid permits, there was a stop work order, and the permits were taken away and it took 5 years to get permits, that’s not voluntary. If it was voluntary, your permits would have been kept up and the place would have never been shut down for 5 years. You pull your gas tanks out or you can get rid your permits – it sounds like you lost your permits-
Jon Adams- you’re arguing case law- it’s been established from different attorneys.
Member Johnson- But neither of them represents the Planning Board.”
Rasco: Dover Planning Board Meeting March 1, 2010; DEC Director Janeway: “Without local approval, [Rasco] cannot move forward”
March 1, 2010
The Dover Planning Board invited Willie Janeway, Regional Director for NYS DEC Region 3, “to discuss Planning Board concerns with the Howland Lakes site” where the Rasco project is proposed.
From the Minutes:
“Co-Chair Wylock thanked Mr Janeway for responding to his letter, there was a site walk January 16, 2010 and The Board was shocked at the site. There are bags of carbon, barrels of unknown substances, abandoned cars and trucks, and a tent like structure all within proximity of the Great Swamp. It was understood that someone from DEC did visit the site prior to the permit being issued.
[Chair Wylock] was unsure if something was overlooked, if the site was in this condition, or if this was outside the scope of the inspection. He felt that DEC and The Town should work together to get the site cleaned up, before the application moves forward; certainly prior to the Application of Cricket Valley Energy. The Landowner [Howland Lakes] not the applicant should be held accountable; it has the appearance of an environmental nightmare.”
Read further for Mr. Janeway’s response, in which he reminds the Dover Planning Board, “Without local approval, [Rasco] cannot move forward.”
- Read Dover Planning Board Meeting Minutes, March 1, 2010
*Note: printed post date is for chronological clarity. Actual post date is August 13, 2010.
Rasco: Dover Planning Board expresses concerns to DEC Director Willie Janeway
February 19, 2010
Dover Planning Board Chair David Wylock reaches out to Willie Janeway, Director of DEC Region 3, and raises concerns about DEC permits for the Rasco project to recycle Petroleum Contaminated Soil . Wylock describes the Planning Board’s site visit to the Howland Partners parcel at 2241 Route 22, Dover Plains:
“Our Planning Board conducted a site walk of the property [on] January 16, 2010, and the members were shocked at seeing a vast quantity of barrels containing unknown substances and numerous bags of carbon, both open and closed which apparently were left behind by previous industrial users of the property. As such, questions were raised as the compliance of the facility with state permits an approvals, specifically with respect to the use, storage and disposal of potentially hazardous materials.”
Director Janeway is invited to attend the March Planning Board meeting.
-Letter from Planning Board Co-Chair to DEC
-Chronological Summary of Correspondence Between RASCO and the NYS DEC
*Note: printed post date is for chronological clarity. Actual post date is August 13, 2010.
