Westchester BOL Committee Members Troubled by Possible Environmental Impact from Pipeline Expansion on County's Blue Mountain Reservation

In a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) delivered yesterday afternoon, several members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee expressed their serious concern with the environmental impacts of the proposed Spectra Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM ) natural gas pipeline expansion project within Blue Mountain Reservation, which is public parkland owned by Westchester County in the Town of Cortlandt, New York. As a result of their concern, the BOL committee members are calling for a proper assessment of the harm and ruin to natural resources likely to accompany construction.

Information regarding the possible scale of environmental impact from the proposed pipeline project was communicated this week to the BOL Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee (LPPH), chaired by Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem), during two days of meetings and testimony concerning the proposed AIM pipeline expansion within Blue Mountain Reservation from Spectra Energy representatives, County Parks Department staff, County Attorney’s office, local elected officials, and interested persons.

“It was important to gather all of the stakeholders together and have some important questions about this gas pipeline answered,” said Harckham. “The process has, indeed, generated even more concerns about the unfortunate results that may be caused by the project and how much County park land will be possibly harmed during the course of construction.”

“Before any approvals are made, we’re asking for a closer look at all of the facts and details about what will ensue if a green light is given to Spectra,” said BOL Chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D-Somers).

The BOL committee members were troubled to learn that Spectra Energy only met with the County’s professional Parks staff, for the first time, last Friday, November 7, 2014. According to County Parks staff members, this initial walkthrough generated “major concerns” on impacts to the natural resources and recreational uses of the park which would be caused by the large Additional Temporary Workspace Areas and additional clearances sought by Spectra Energy.

“It is now known, in fact, that the pipeline project would involve clearing a right-of-way and necessitate the removal of many mature trees and create a major disruption to existing wetlands,” said Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson). “Trails and roadways in the park would also be affected. Together, the potential damage to the park is greater than what we were led to believe.”

The letter sent by the BOL LPPH Committee members notes that the Westchester County Parks Department staff “has not had adequate time to review, nor have they been presented with any technical drawings or surveys regarding the scope of work proposed by Spectra Energy in its recent meeting and to properly assess the construction impacts to Blue Mountain Reservation.” Testimony at this week’s LPPH meetings also showed that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the AIM Project contains significant inaccuracies and false information regarding the project impacts within Blue Mountain Reservation.

Added Harckham: “It was shocking to learn that Spectra only contacted and did a first walk through with the County Parks Department last Friday, and so no formal study of impacts to Blue Mountain Reservation has been undertaken by the Parks Department. How, then can to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement say impacts to Park will be minimal?”

“Once again, we’re learning that Spectra is not fully considering the impact of this gas pipeline project on our environment,” said Legislator Catherine Parker, chair of the BOL Environment & Energy Committee. “It’s time for everyone to be as truthful and honest about the harmful effects this project may visit upon us.”

BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, whose legislative district encompasses much of the pipeline’s proposed route, noted that the initial DEIS submitted by Spectra to FERC does not address many of the ecological and infrastructure effects that the pipeline project would have on Blue Mountain Reservation.

“This is why it is important for another, more intensive review of the project be completed by to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission before certification is given to Spectra to proceed,” said Borgia.

So far, the Board of Legislators has not seen a survey of the intended project.

Attached to the BOL LPPH Committee letter to FERC is a memorandum of a January 28, 2014 meeting between representatives from Spectra Energy and the Astorino Administration that addressed a request for construction in Blue Mountain Reservation and the process for obtaining approval for work space from the County. The memorandum was shared with the BOL LPPH Committee for the first time this week.

The BOL LPPH Committee members request in their letter to FERC, which was addressed to Secretary Kimberly Bose, that because information is lacking in the DEIS regarding removal of many mature trees, impacts to vernal pools and wetlands, full calculation and of edge habitat conversion, a biodiversity assessment compared to previous research at this location and potential for right-of-way modifications, that “FERC not to issue a certificate for the AIM Project until the impacts within Blue Mountain Reservation and surrounding communities have been properly identified and mitigated…(T)he inaccuracies and omissions within the DEIS warrant a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, or a revision and re-issuance of the DEIS, to adequately identify impacts and necessary mitigation concerning the environment and public health and safety.”

Legislators have previously expressed concern to FERC with the overall AIM Project by enacting a BOL Resolution this summer that requested a stringent review of the project.

“I think that we have lots of reasons to be worried about what this pipeline project will do to Blue Mountain Reservation,” said Legislator Bernice Spreckman (R-Yonkers), a longtime advocate for Westchester County parks. “I’m hoping that a painstaking review of the project is completed before another step is taken toward approving it.”