Riverkeeper’s statement regarding the DEC’s decision to share Pilgrim Pipeline environmental review duties with the Thruway Authority
December 22, 2015
Riverkeeper Team
For immediate release: December 22, 2015
Contact: Cliff Weathers, Communications Director, 914-478-4501, ext. 239 or cweathers@riverkeeper.org
Riverkeeper’s statement regarding the DEC’s decision to share Pilgrim Pipeline environmental review duties with the Thruway Authority
Ossining, NY — Riverkeeper is disappointed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s decision to share environmental review responsibilities with the NYS Thruway Authority for the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline project. We believe that a joint lead agency status is unprecedented and fails to address the concerns the many municipalities in the region that specifically expressed their opposition to the Thruway Authority’s participation in the environmental review process. Furthermore, this decision undermines the effort to conduct an environmental review that adequately protects the environment and critical resources such as drinking water.
Kate Hudson, Riverkeeper’s Director of Cross-Watershed Initiatives said:
“While we’re pleased that the DEC acknowledges the ‘potential for significant adverse environmental impacts associated with the construction and operation of the pipeline’ and the 232 regulated stream crossings the project is proposed to cross, we are disappointed that DEC did not take the strong recommendation of more than two dozen towns and counties — up and down the Hudson River Valley — to be the sole lead agency. We’re concerned about the possible consequences of having two state agencies share responsibility. It could become problematic should disagreements arise between the agencies. It is completely unclear what would be the result should DEC and the Thruway Authority disagree. Riverkeeper will work to ensure a transparent and unbiased review, and we will all work to make sure the public’s voice is heard.”
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