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DEC likely to review ridge plan
By Paul Brooks
Times Herald-Record, January 23, 2003

Gardiner - The New Paltz office of the Department of Environmental
Conservation will likely take the lead on the environmental review of the Awosting Reserve development project on the Shawangunk Ridge. "This is a very good thing," said Carol O'Biso, a member of the Gardiner Association for Responsible Development, or GARD. "With all the environmental issues, it really should be DEC. I hope they get the nomination." It seemed likely the DEC would get the nod following a conference call yesterday morning among DEC officials, state Sen. John Bonacic and the supervisors of Gardiner, Shawangunk and Wawarsing. The three towns each have
a piece of the proposed 2,600-acre project. Developers want to construct 349 upscale homes and cabins on the ridge, along with a 16-hole golf course, nature education center and waste treatment plant.
The project also borders Sam's Point nature preserve and Minnewaska State Park. Environmentalists have labeled the ridge as environmentally sensitive and one of the last great places on earth.
Given all the competing interests at hand, the Region Three office of the state DEC will have its work cut out for it. If it is picked as lead agency, the DEC office will control the detailed environmental review of the project.
"The Shawangunks are a unique ecological resource," Bonacic said. "I am confident the DEC will provide a thorough and fair review of this proposed development."
"We must ensure that all environmental impacts are addressed. Having DEC as lead agency is the best way to ensure that," Gardiner Supervisor Jack Hayes said. Most of the proposed project falls in the Town of Gardiner. Roger Beck, president of Awosting Reserve, the developer for the project, said he would support the decision to make the DEC the lead agency. "We are fine with it."