Please review our map of the threatened areas.

The Shawangunk Ridge is facing a number of threats. Below are a list of some of the actions that you can take to help us in our battle to save the ridge from these threats.

Write to Feds Now about Sullivan County Casino

Casinos are a regional issue, one that will affect traffic and development on the Shawangunks. The casino proposed for Monticello is being strongly supported by many New York State officials. Yet it is not a done deal. The final decision rests with Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary, Department of the Interior, and his Deputy Associate, James Cason. There is reason to think that the opinions of area and New York State residents may be influential. But your letters are needed now!

Message from Casino-Free Sullivan County - Joan Thursh, President:

Although Gov. Spitzer is enthusiastically supporting at least one casino in Sullivan County, and the local county and state-wide officials are, in some cases, cheerleaders for it, the project is not yet a "done deal." The final decision rests with Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary, Department of the Interior, and his Deputy Associate, James Cason.

Secretary Kempthorne is known to have been opposed to off-reservation casinos, and there is a really good chance he will NOT approve one in Sullivan County. But it is now urgent that he knows that, despite all our politicians, there is very strong residents' and neighbors' opposition to a casino, both in Sullivan County and across the state. That's why I'm asking you to quickly contact James Cason, whose address is below, and let him know your concerns.

Here are some talking points:

• Off-reservation casinos were not the intent of Congress when it passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, but rather are due to loopholes in the act, that Congress has been attempting to close;
  
  
• The taking of land into trust for an Indian reservation has not happened before in New York State, and you are very troubled over the problems this could raise in our communities; last year, the U.S. Supreme Court noted the possibility of such problems in its landmark Sherrill decision;
  
  
• Share any personal concerns you have, and write from the heart...how casinos will affect you and the quality of life in New York State.

Make sure your opposition is crystal clear, and keep your letter brief and on point.

Here's the contact information; snail mail or (preferably) FAX:

James E. Cason
Associate Deputy Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
MS 7229
Washington, D.C. 20240
FAX: (202) 208-1873

Questions: Call Joan Thursh at (845) 434-7366 or email jthursh@localnet.com.

The Shawangunk Ridge Coalition needs your help. You donations make it possible for us to keep our work going to protect the beautiful Shawangunk Ridge.

threats |  action alerts |  about SRC |  articles |  the ridge |  conservation |  recreation contact us |  related sites |  privacy statement |  copyright |  mailing list |  donate |  search this site maps |  ridge map |  parks map |  trails map |  habitat map |  hydrology map |  threats maps