Pilgrim Pipeline update

The Town of Tuxedo and the Village of Tuxedo Park are actively opposing the Pilgrim Pipeline. Both municipalities have passed resolutions to that purpose.

You can find the actions taken by the Town and links for further information about Pilgrim, upcoming meetings and calls for action on the Pilgrim tab on the Town’s website:

http://www.tuxedogov.org/pipeline

The Mayor’s letter dated January 18 discusses the actions taken by the Village:

http://tuxedopark-ny.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Mayors-Newsletter-1-18-2017.pdf

To receive updates directly from the DEC, sign up at:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/105174.html

Town Actions

1. The Town Board has approved letters to:

· oppose the designation of the DEC and the NYS Thruway Authority as co-lead agencies for SEQRA, the environmental review

· press for a 90-day Public Comment Period so that municipalities have enough time to prepare statements and gather public comments.

2. The Town Board held a public SEQRA workshop led by our Town Planner which discussed the Pipeline, its potential route, and ways that the Public can get involved. More workshops will be held after Pilgrim submits a draft environmental statement, the DEIS, to the DEC. (A preliminary DEIS has been submitted which you can access from the DEC page listed above.)

3. The Town supports the activities of CAPPIT – Citizens Against Pilgrim Pipeline in Tuxedo – and we appreciate the input from CAPPIT organizers. Karen Dougher and Sue Scher update the Board at Public Meetings on the activities of the larger CAPP-NY group which includes municipalities throughout the Hudson Valley. ( www.stoppilgrimpipeline.com )

4. A NY Transportation Law gives Villages and Cities the authority to approve or disapprove petroleum pipelines on their land. Tuxedo, along with other towns in the Hudson Valley, supports a current bill in Albany that would amend the Transportation Law to include Towns. Supervisor Mike Rost and I are meeting with officials to garner support for this bill.

Actions that can be taken by Residents right now

1. Attend local Public Meetings that address the Pipeline issue. Town meetings will be posted on the Pilgrim section of the Town website (see above) and on www.tpfyi.com . For upcoming events organized by CAPP-NY go to http://www.stoppilgrimpipeline.com/events/ and the www.facebook.com page for

CAPP Tuxedo - Ramapo – Harriman.

2. Participate in call-in and write-in actions. The Town recently posted information about the call-in to Governor Cuomo which resulted in 1800 calls last week from our region. To read resolutions which have been passed by Tuxedo, Tuxedo Park and municipalities in NY and NJ – and for help in writing letters and to sign a petition online, go to:

https://stoppilgrimpipeline.com/resolutions/

Michele Lindsay

Town of Tuxedo Councilwoman