Post by biged on Apr 21, 2012 21:22:46 GMT -5
I haven't been on this site in quite some time. However, I am reaching out to all the outdoors/sportsman/conservation communities that I belong to in order to save a parcel of prime habitat in my town from being developed. I cannot save this land alone as the developers and town officials are corrupt. I hope to gain national recognition to help prevent Stephenson Ridge from being developed. The below letter address alot of my concerns I think I have a good case to win this I just need the backing:
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you this letter to express my concerns about the Stephenson Ridge Subdivision. I have lived on Upper Newtown Road in Halfmoon, NY my entire life, as well as many generations of my family and friends. We have watched as the road has quickly transformed into many housing developments. The reason many people came to our town and lived here for many years is disappearing (Land/Countryside).
I understand that the town needs to grow, but it needs to stop growing on Upper Newtown Road. Approving this subdivision and future development on this tract of land will put our eco system and town in great danger. When will these developments stop? Sheldon Hills, Swatling Falls and the “old Gorsky Farm” are different scenarios, these areas contained few, if any, existing homes and the lands were primarily open fields. The proposed Stephenson Ridge land is not simply a field, but a rich bio-diverse habitat which has evolved throughout the years. It contains both hardwoods and softwoods, the underground streams/springs that flow down the ridges provide water for the canal system - disturbing the ground above will damage the wetland below. There are Blue Lupine plants on the property which are what the Karner Butterfly uses to breed. There is even a NYSDEC sign stating that it is protected. The softwoods provide prime breeding and singing grounds for grouse and Woodcocks. I have observed dozens of Woodcock migrating and singing there this spring. The Woodcock are on a decline and are on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as are other birds on this property. This migration and nesting habitat must be protected! I have come across Otters in the canal and even witnessed a Bald Eagle. I’m sure I could think of many other reasons we need to preserve this property.
These concerns are just a few. I could write you a 100 page letter on why ANY development of the parcel should not be carried out! I have plans to engage my neighbors, conservation groups, sportsman’s groups, NYSDEC, news media, and whatever it takes to save this property. You cannot replicate or create any “green space” like this! The residential subdivision plans shouldn’t read Stephenson Ridge Subdivision, but rather Stephenson Nature & Historic Preserve!
I look forward to your response, and hope you can help me to save this property. I have created a Facebook page to my cause:
www.facebook.com/SaveStephensonRidge
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing you this letter to express my concerns about the Stephenson Ridge Subdivision. I have lived on Upper Newtown Road in Halfmoon, NY my entire life, as well as many generations of my family and friends. We have watched as the road has quickly transformed into many housing developments. The reason many people came to our town and lived here for many years is disappearing (Land/Countryside).
I understand that the town needs to grow, but it needs to stop growing on Upper Newtown Road. Approving this subdivision and future development on this tract of land will put our eco system and town in great danger. When will these developments stop? Sheldon Hills, Swatling Falls and the “old Gorsky Farm” are different scenarios, these areas contained few, if any, existing homes and the lands were primarily open fields. The proposed Stephenson Ridge land is not simply a field, but a rich bio-diverse habitat which has evolved throughout the years. It contains both hardwoods and softwoods, the underground streams/springs that flow down the ridges provide water for the canal system - disturbing the ground above will damage the wetland below. There are Blue Lupine plants on the property which are what the Karner Butterfly uses to breed. There is even a NYSDEC sign stating that it is protected. The softwoods provide prime breeding and singing grounds for grouse and Woodcocks. I have observed dozens of Woodcock migrating and singing there this spring. The Woodcock are on a decline and are on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as are other birds on this property. This migration and nesting habitat must be protected! I have come across Otters in the canal and even witnessed a Bald Eagle. I’m sure I could think of many other reasons we need to preserve this property.
These concerns are just a few. I could write you a 100 page letter on why ANY development of the parcel should not be carried out! I have plans to engage my neighbors, conservation groups, sportsman’s groups, NYSDEC, news media, and whatever it takes to save this property. You cannot replicate or create any “green space” like this! The residential subdivision plans shouldn’t read Stephenson Ridge Subdivision, but rather Stephenson Nature & Historic Preserve!
I look forward to your response, and hope you can help me to save this property. I have created a Facebook page to my cause:
www.facebook.com/SaveStephensonRidge