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CATSKILL CASINOS: A THREAT TO THE RIDGE

 Update:
Jan. 8, 2008

Photographer: Holly PollackBackground:
In 2001, the New York State Legislature and Governor Pataki authorized the building of three Indian-run casinos in the Catskills (Sullivan or Ulster counties) and three casinos in western New York. Though no casino is proposed to be sited on the Shawangunk Ridge, the regional impact of any casino in Sullivan or Ulster County can be expected to be significant: increased traffic, increased home and road building, increased commercial development, decreased importance of ecological values.

As of January 2006, no casinos had been built in the Catskills. The plans of both state officials and Indian groups have so far been stymied by legal setbacks, competing interests within and between Indian tribes, disputes among state elected officers, and community resistance.

One project, however, seems to be moving forward: In November 2005, the St. Regis Mohawks announced that they were pursuing approvals from federal and state officials for a casino at the Monticello Raceway (this was a switch from their previous course of planning a casino with Harrah's at Kutsher's Sports Academy). Other Catskill casino plans by other tribes were in disarray.

Concerns

Although development of the Monticello casino is slated for an existing facility, the primary impact to the ecological health of the ridge will stem from the sheer number and influx of people into this region over a relatively short period of time. Orange County is currently failing federal air quality standards, and the estimated millions of new gaming visitors/year will only make matters worse.

Traffic increases of epic proportions, particularly along Rt. 17 (soon to be U.S. Interstate 86) will create ever greater pressure to expand existing road ways. The influx of new residents will create an unprecedented housing shortage for a new work force that far exceeds the number of unemployed people in this county, several times over. (The economies of Sullivan, Ulster, and Orange counties is good and employment figures are near record highs.)

Commercial values will dominate ecological values as the gaming industry dominates the economy of our region. In New York State, where 85% of the available land mass is already privately owned, the challenge in protecting - let alone enhancing - the ecological integrity of the Shawangunk Ridge will become ever greater. The second home market is already booming with no signs of letting up.

Photographer: Mrs. Alfred Ervolino What You Can Do

  • Convey your thoughts to your county legislature, particularly if you are a resident of Sullivan, Orange or Ulster. Counties will shoulder the brunt of casino impact.

  • Voice your concerns in letters to the editors of local newspapers.

  • Voice your concerns to your New York State Assembly person and Senator.

  • Voice your concerns to Governor Spitzer, U.S Senators Clinton and Schumer and your member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

  • Monitor these websites for further information:

      Record Online Casino Watch
April 2007 Casino - Letters 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.
Contact: Shawangunk Ridge Coalition, 156 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah NJ 07430;
201-512-9348 x25; Email: info@shawangunkridge.org