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SMART GROWTH NEWS

SEPTEMBER 24th-28th 2007

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Regional updates

 

Smart Growth and Global Climate Change Linked

gccoverGrowing Cooler: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change, a groundbreaking new book that was unveiled last week at a press conference with the Urban Land Institute, demonstrates that urban growth patterns are both a key contributor to climate change and an essential factor in combating it.

The comprehensive review of dozens of studies demonstrates that it will be nearly impossible to avert climate change if the miles we all drive continues to accelerate, and that it is inevitable if we build so as to give ourselves no other choice.

Even our most ambitious plans for improving mileage and efficiency for our vehicles will be overwhelmed by the increases in driving our communities require. But here's the truly good news: People do drive about a third less in compact, walkable places, with no coercion at all. And according to the market and demographic research amassed for the book, merely meeting the surging demand for these environments could significantly reduce the growth in the number of miles Americans drive, shrinking the nation’s carbon footprint while giving people more housing choices.

If sprawling development continues to fuel growth in driving, the projected 59 percent increase in the total miles driven between 2005 and 2030 will overwhelm expected gains from vehicle efficiency and low-carbon fuels. Even with projected efficiency improvements, vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide would be 41 percent above today’s levels, rather than well below 1990 levels as required for climate stabilization by 2050, according to Growing Cooler.

“Curbing emissions from cars depends on a three-legged stool: improved vehicle efficiency, cleaner fuels, and a reduction in driving,” said lead author Reid Ewing, Research Professor at the National Center for Smart Growth, University of Maryland. “The research shows that one of the best ways to reduce vehicle travel is to build places where people can accomplish more with less driving.”

The report cites real estate projections showing that two-thirds of development expected to be on the ground in 2050 is not yet built, meaning that the potential for change is profound. The authors calculate that shifting 60 percent of new growth to compact patterns would save 85 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030. The savings over that period equate to a 28 percent increase in federal vehicle efficiency standards by 2020 (to 32 mpg), comparable to proposals now being debated in Congress.

The findings show that people who move into compact, “green neighborhoods” are making as big a contribution to fighting global warming as those who buy the most efficient hybrid vehicles, but remain in car-dependent areas.

You can read more about the report here.

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Congestion mitigation Panel Meets to Discuss PlaNYC

planycOn September 26th the Traffic Mitigation Commission met for the first time to consider Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan. The current plan calls for fees of $8 on cars and $21 on trucks that drive into the portion of Manhattan south of 86th Street from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. The 17 members of the group are going to study the mayor’s proposal and alternatives to that plan in order to relieve traffic congestion in Manhattan. The group, which met at Baruch College in Lower Manhattan, includes transportation officials, politicians and civic leaders. The commission plans to meet monthly and hopes to reach a consensus on the plan by January 31. Considering the regional significance of the proposal, the public forums will be held in all five boroughs and Westchester and Nassau Counties.

The members of the commission face a long and arduous battle ahead. The controversial plan failed to win state lawmakers' approval earlier this spring. In response, the legislature created the commission. Hanging in the balance is a federal transportation grant of $354 million to the city and state; either the congestion pricing or an alternative must reduce traffic by at least the 6.3 percent targeted in the mayor's plan for approval. The subject of congestion pricing is volatile enough without considering whether the increases would affect the estimated revenue from congestion pricing. Despite these challenges, the members of the commission are dedicated to finding a compromise that will address this regional issue.

Recently, the Campaign for New York's Future sent a list of questions to the Commission regarding Congestion Pricing. Click here to read them.

Click here for PlaNYC's transportation plan.

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Lighthouse Committee Meets On Coliseum Plan

lighthouseLast week, some of Long Island’s top community advocates, business minds, government leaders, educators, and analysts convened at RexCorp Executive Park as The Lighthouse Steering Committee (LSC). The group has taken on the role of advisor to the Lighthouse Development Group as it moves through the process of revitalizing the 77-acres at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The mission of the Lighthouse Steering Committee, as stated on the website, is "to serve as a working group to provide insight, support and feedback to the Lighthouse Development Team in the planning of the Project in order to best address local concerns and insure the Project’s success." Committee members will also serve as public liaisons, as part of the Project’s Community Outreach Program, to ensure that the public clearly understands the Project, its impacts and its benefits to the future of Long Island.

Subcommittees addressing planning, traffic and transportation, the environment and economic development will be formed to discuss these subject matters in detail.

The group will meet regularly to follow and provide input into the Lighthouse Project’s progress, development of the Master Plan, status of regulatory approvals, and community outreach.

For more information, visit Lighthouse Long Island's website.

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Open Space on the Ballot In Oyster Bay And Brookhaven

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The Town of Brookhaven will be placing the referendum for a Community Preservation Fund for the town on the ballot this November. That means that CPF will only be implemented if a majority of voters approve the referendum.

The funds from the tax will be used to preserve farmland, open space, drinking water recharge areas and critical wildlife habitat. This is a one-time tax on real estate that will be paid when purchasing vacant or developed property. The only people who will pay the tax are those who purchase property. The first $250,000 of the purchase price of a house or building ($150,000 for unimproved land) is exempt from the real estate transfer fee. In addition, income-qualified first-time homebuyers are exempt from paying the tax.

The CPF is a dedicated fund, and may only be used for preservation and stewardship purposes. It is projected that the real estate transfer tax will raise at least $500 million before it ends in 2025, for the purchase of farmland, open space, and critical wildlife habitat to keep it from being developed or taken out of agricultural production. Passage of the CPF will allow the Town to leverage matching dollars from Federal, State, and County sources. This increases the purchasing power of CPF and maximizes the number of acres that can be purchased.

CPF proposal in Brookhaven is the inclusion of a Transfer of Development Rights program. Under that proposal, one-quarter of the development rights generated in the purchase of an open space parcel would be transferred into a development rights bank and could be purchased by developers to increase density in other projects. Those development rights could be used for affordable housing, redevelopment projects in rebuilding downtown areas and other projects. Development rights could be used for nearly all zoning categories, such as residential, industrial and commercial.

In the Town of Oyster Bay, the SEA Fund III (Save Environmental Assets) would allocate $30 million for the acquisition of open space and another $30 million for parkland improvements.

SEA Fund III would be administered along the same lines as its two predecessors. If it is approved, it will go to a committee comprising the commissioners of the Department of Health and the Department of Public Works (or their representatives), the Town Attorney, and four Nassau residents judged to be a good geographic and demographic reflection of the town. After a period of research, the committee would recommend projects to the town board.

Among all the Island’s municipalities, a land bond that is specific to Oyster Bay is deemed especially worthwhile, with the larger of Long Island’s two remaining special groundwater protection areas (SPGAs) located in the town.

For more information about the Oyster Bay SEA Fund III, please contact the North Shore Land Alliance at (516) 626-0908. For more information about the CPF in the Town of Brookhaven, contact the Lake Ronkonkoma Civic Association here or yesforopenspace.org.

 

Real Estate Next's Conference Highlights Long Island Housing Issues

realestatenextAt the recent Real Estate Next conference, held on Thursday, September 27, Smart Growth issues frequently drew a flourish of attention. While the day did begin with a discussion of the current “mortgage crisis,” it moved towards emerging shifts and trends in the real estate market on Long Island. Ron Stein, Board President of Vision Long Island, moderated a panel on “The Future of Higher-Density Housing.” Speakers included Jim Morgo, Suffolk County Commissioner of Economic Development and Workforce Housing; Fern Karhu, Executive Director of Syosset Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate; Dr. Pearl Kamer, of the Long Island Association; and Matthew Whalen, Vice President of Development for AvalonBay on Long Island.

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Vision Long Island's Ron Stein, LIA's Pearl Kamer, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate's Fern Karhu, and Suffolk County Commissioner of Economic Development, Jim Morgo. Not pictured: Matthew Whalen, AvalonBay.

The panel began by addressing the need for higher density housing and the steps that could be taken to remedy the situation. Solutions for the red tape and NIMBYism that are often encountered included what Dr. Kamer called “the carrot and the stick”- financial incentives or state aid and inclusionary zoning. Education was also a major solution for dealing with the misconceptions of high density such as the negative impacts on taxes, traffic, and school districts. Several communities on Long Island were mentioned for heralding progressive real estate practices like Huntington, Patchogue, and Bay Shore. Despite these advancements, there was a consensus amongst the panelists that Long Island falls far behind the region in supplying affordable housing. If Long Island wants to keep its population and workforce, it has to grow in the right direction with higher density, affordability, a mix of housing options, walkability, and transit oriented development.

realestatealexLater that afternoon, Alex Latham, of ADL III Architecture, spoke on a panel entitled “The Latest Trends in Exterior and Interior Design.” Speaking with Marc Spector, Principal of the Spector Group, the prevailing shift in the market has been towards “Green” building. The sectors of real estate and architecture on Long Island are gradually recognizing the responsibility to provide environmentally sustainable homes, buildings, and developments, such as the prominent Lighthouse project. When asked if the Lighthouse Project will receive LEED certification, Mr. Spector stated that components of it would, since Green building is a necessary and long term shift in development. Both panelists have found that Smart Growth practices of adaptive reuse, infill development, and the revitalization of downtowns are proving to be lucrative practices with environmental, social, and economic benefits for all.

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Hempstead Vote Postponed Again

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Urban America LC

On Tuesday evening, the final vote on the $2-billion proposal for Hempstead’s downtown renewal was further postponed. About two hours before the vote was to be held, Mayor Hall issued a statement saying it had been called off to give village trustees more time to study last minute changes made to the plan by Manhattan-based developer Urban America.

The vote on the controversial proposal has had numerous delays due to overwhelming responses from the community. A July forum on the issue had been postponed at the village hall when there was inadequate room for supporters and opponents to attend. A few weeks later, 400 residents showed up at public hearing held at Hofstra University. As of this latest impediment, a new date for a vote has not been set.

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Vintage Group Proposal Hearing Set for Riverhead

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Project Area, Existing Conditions, and the Proposed Project.
Photos from Vintage Group. Renderings by Wiedersum Associates and ADL III Architecture

From the Riverhead News-Review:

A public hearing on Vintage Group's proposal to build a multiplex theater and parking garage with stores and offices on Railroad Avenue will be resumed on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the Town Board meeting beginning at 7:00pm in Town Hall, following two adjournments. The hearing before the Riverhead Town Board is a "qualified and eligible sponsor" hearing under urban renewal law, and is required to show that the applicant has the experience and finances needed to carry out a particular project before acquiring land from the town.

Vintage Group is seeking to buy the town land on which a new parking lot was constructed across from the railroad and the new courts, and it seeks to acquire and demolish all the buildings to the east of that, on the south side of Railroad Avenue. This week, Vintage released some new architectural drawings to show features such as the walk-over bridge from the upper level of the parking facility that leads directly to the Supreme Court entrance and design aspects that reflect the architecture of the adjacent court buildings. A previous rendering of the proposed structure was often said to resemble Ebbetts Field, the former Brooklyn Dodgers stadium. The Vintage Square "intermodal transit-oriented development," as they are calling it, also will employ "green" building techniques and alternative energy sources, including roof-top solar panels, the group announced.

At the previous hearing, Vintage Group president John Burke said the estimated $61,308,135 cost of the project will be financed by loans from Heinlein Capital Venture of Hauppauge, a group headed by developer George Heinlein. However, Town Board members said they felt the letter of commitment from Mr. Heinlein needed to be stronger, and gave Mr. Burke more time to work on it. Mr. Burke has said he anticipates being able to buy all the remaining 10 buildings on Railroad Avenue without the need for condemnation; the proposed contract with the town requires that Vintage purchase at least six before the town will consider condemnation. It also requires that he obtain a resolution from the Suffolk County Legislature giving Vintage Square responsibility for providing parking for the adjacent court facility.

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For more information from the developer, visit vintagesquare.com.

 

Rutgers Study Highlights Long Island's Housing Problems

rutgers

In 2005, Suffolk County commissioned the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University to assess the needs for workforce housing in the county. Two years later, the results are in.

“Our workforce is here and housed,” said Schneiderman, “they are just paying an unacceptable and unsustainable amount of their income for housing costs.” The report finds an alarming 94,000 units of housing where the occupants are in this “cost burdened” category. “We do not need to build our way out but rather find ways to make existing units more affordable to their occupants,” continued the legislator.

In the report, Rutgers makes a recommendation as to how to accomplish this for a portion of “cost burdened” units. The study also finds that 20 percent of new housing units (one out of five) that are constructed in the future must be affordable (defined in the study) to avoid further exacerbating the problem.

“Inclusionary zoning provisions at the town level are also needed,” Schneiderman urged. The report also looks at overcrowded and sub-standard housing. Although rents may be affordable, the living conditions are unacceptable.

Read more here. Special thanks to Long Island Business News for the story.

Smart Growth Weekend Planner

 

Celebrate Fall By VIsiting Your Local Farmers Market

Visiting local farmers markets and farmstands on Long Island are great ways to support the local agriculture economy and the downtown. Many farmers’ markets continue well into the fall. At the same time, Long Island farmers are getting ready for apple and pumpkin picking. So go support the local economy and the preservation of Long Island’s farmland. There are more than 100 farmers' markets, farm stands and community-supported agricultural (CSA) programs at farms around the state.

To find one near you and additional information, go to: www.nytimes.com/intheregion.

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Photo from New York Times.

Some Useful Articles and Links:

Susan Novick, “Where Corn is Fresh and the Beans Snap,” The New York Times, August 19, 2007
Kim Severson, “In Pursuit of Farm Fresh Flavor,” The New York Times, August 18, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/19Rfood.html

Erica Marcus, “Farm Stands and Farmers’ Markets on Long Island,” Newsday, http://www.newsday.com/features/food/ny-explore-farmstands,0,7108189.html

New York Times, In the Region, Farmers’ Market Guide:
http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20070912_FOOD_GRAPHIC.html

Apple Picking On Long Island:
http://www.newsday.com/features/food/ny-explore-apples,0,3267845.story

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SUNY Farmingdale To Host Environmental SUmmit This Weekend

As announced by the League of Conservation Voters, there will be an event, billed as Long Island's first environmental summit, this Saturday, Sept. 29 at SUNY Farmingdale.

farmingdaleAccording to the Farmingdale Observer, the event will be presented by The Center for Science Teaching and Learning, and is the only event of its kind geared specifically towards families. It will feature alternative energy demonstrations, hands-on workshops, green vendors, well-known speakers and more. The event will also focus on what families can do at home, work and school to help reverse climate change. Speakers include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and US Rep. Steve Israel.

Organizers say they are expecting 4,000 people to attend. For more information, contact Ray Ann Havasy at (516) 764-0045 or visit www.liglobalwarming.org. Tickets are $5 per person. The summit will be held from 10:00am to 4:00pm

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Upcoming Events

 

National Solar Tour and RELI To Hold Free Energy Conservation Open HOuse October 6th.

solartour

Join Renewable Energy Long Island, the National Solar Tour, and RECS 7260 for a free energy conservation and alternatives educational open house on October 6th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm in Miller Place. Learn how to save money on energy bills from professionals and actual installations.

There will be green architects, solar contractors, a geothermal specialist, insulation expert, green investment advisor, native vs. invasive plant expert, tax and rebate advisor, energy auditor, and more. There will be electric motorcycle and hybrid cars, as well as information on bio-diesel, recycling, solar ham radios, and other conservation efforts.

For more information on the Solar Tour, visit Renewable Energy Long Island's website.

 

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Sierra Club To Hold Seminar on Schools Choosing Renewable Alternatives

 

 

 

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As part of their mission statement to "Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources," The Sierra Club is putting together a seminar entitled, "Schools Choosing Renewable Alternatives." The purpose of this seminar is to inform the community about renewable energy and cost-saving solutions that are affordable options to school districts with no impact to the taxpayer.

In an effort to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and in the interest of teaching the next generation social and environmental responsibility, the public is invited to attend this important event. It will be held on Wednesday, October 24th, at 7:30pm at Babylon Town Hall (200 East Sunrise Hwy. in Lindenhurst).

Topics to be discussed will include how energy performance assessments of schools can help reduce energy consumption and how installing renewable energy can reduce energy bills while helping to reduce the cost of operating a school district thereby, reducing the tax burden to the taxpayers.

Speak to the experts who work in the industry and have helped schools save millions of dollars in energy and operational costs. How is this accomplished? By conducing energy audits of building operations - electrical, lighting, heating, cooling, security, fire and life safety - while guaranteeing savings which school districts can then use to finance renewable energy installations and improvements to facilities.

Speak to the Carle Place School District Facilities Director who has implemented an energy assessment program in his school.

RSVP is respectfully requested to 516-826-0801 or http://newyork.sierraclub.org/longisland.

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It Takes a Village: Intergenerational Programs That Work Conference

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Whether in the workplace or the community in general, relationships among different generations are more important today than ever before. As life expectancies continue to rise dramatically, generations depend on one another for much longer periods of time. Not only are middle-aged individuals providing shelter, food, clothing and education for those under 25, many of these same families are also caring for and providing support for relatives over age 75.

While many young people are leaving Long Island in pursuit of affordable housing elsewhere, many older people are leaving for southern retirement communities or choosing to remain on the island, but moving into age-restricted communities. The unfortunate result is a separation of the generations. These circumstances pose real challenges to the normal balance, and urgently call for new and creative ways to encourage generational groups to communicate with one another, care for one another, and support public policies that don't divide them by age.

It Takes a Village: Intergenerational Strategies That Work is designed to bring together Long Island's community organizations and its business community to create effective intergenerational programs and promote public policy that meets the needs of all generations. The conference takes place on Monday, November 12, 2007 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University. Click here for a registration form, or visit Intergenerational Strategies' website here.

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Hofstra University To Host "Safer Homes, More LIvable Communities: Design Strategies for Aging In Place" Conference

hofstraHofstra University's School of Education and Allied Human Services, Department of Counseling, Research, Special Education, and Rehabilitation - Gerontology Center will be holding a conference, Safer Homes, More Livable Communities: Design Strategies for Aging in Place, on Thursday, October 25th from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center. The conference is designed for professionals concerned with making homes and communities safer for older people, including architects, urban planners, interior designers, builders and contractors, geriatric care managers, home heath workers, and geriatric social workers.

Speakers include Howard Foster, director of adult services at the Mid-Island Y JCC and adjunct professor of social work at Adelphi University; Elissa Friedman, assistant director of adult services at the Mid-Island Y JCC; Edward M. Hennessey, Suffolk County Executive’s Office for the Aging; Joseph D. Monticciolo, regional administrator/regional housing commissioner for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region II, New York (1981-88); Michael O’Neal, former Minneapolis Empowerment Zoning Executive Board; Ron Stein, Vision Long Island; and William Stoner, Associate State Director, AARP.

Register before October 10th to Martin Blum. Click here for the flyer and registration form.

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Nassau-Suffolk Coalition For the Homeless Presents "An Island United to End Homelessness" On October 12th

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The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless's 19th Annual Conference, "An Island United to End Homelessness," will be held on Friday, October 12th at the Touro Law School in Central Islip from 8:00am to 3:45pm. The conference is devoted to the issue of homelessness. Providers of housing and services, the business/banking community, community leaders, grassroots organizations, homeless persons, and other concerned persons are invited to join us at this important event. This conference encourages collaborations and information sharing aimed at reducing homelessness on Long Island.

Click here for the registration form.

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6th Annual Smart Growth Summit -
Register Today!

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Join Vision Long Island for the 6th Annual Smart Growth Summit to be held on Friday, November 16th from 8:00am to 3:00pm at the Melville Marriott. This comprehensive land-use conference brings Long Island's leaders and experts together to address issues of Smart Growth and Livability.

Workshop topics include: Transportation & Congestion Pricing, Clean Energy & Green Building, Sewers & Infrastructure, Codes & Regulations, Commercial Corridor Redevelopment, Community Planning & Public Process, Regional Planning, Housing & Gentrification, Downtown Revitalization, and Projects of Regional Significance.

Sponsorships are available. Register today! Click here for the full brochure about the event or here for the registration form.

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On A Lighter Note...

 

The "Dam" Letter

Circulated through the internet over the past few years, below is an actual letter sent by the government and a property owner's response. Read more about the story behind it at snopes.com.

SUBJECT: DEQ File No.97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. DeVries:

It has come to the attention of the Department of Environmental Quality that there has been recent unauthorized activity on the above referenced parcel of property. You have been certified as the legal damletterlandowner and/or contractor who did the following unauthorized activity:

Construction and maintenance of two wood debris dams across the outlet stream of Spring Pond.

A permit must be issued prior to the start of this type of activity.

A review of the Department's files shows that no permits have been issued. Therefore, the Department has determined that this activity is in violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

The Department has been informed that one or both of the dams partially failed during a recent rain event, causing debris and flooding at downstream locations. We find that dams of this nature are inherently hazardous and cannot be permitted. The Department therefore orders you to cease and desist all activities at this location, and to restore the stream to a free-flow condition by removing all wood and brush forming the dams from the stream channel. All restoration work shall be completed no later than January 31, 2006.

Please notify this office when the restoration has been completed so that a follow-up site inspection may be scheduled by our staff. Failure to comply with this request or any further unauthorized activity on the site may result in this case being referred for elevated enforcement action. We anticipate and would appreciate your full cooperation in this matter. Please feel free to contact me at this office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

David L. Price
District Representative and Water Management Division

 

Re: DEQ File No. 97-59-0023; T11N; R10W, Sec. 20; Lycoming County

Dear Mr. Price,

Your certified letter dated 12/17/05 has been handed to me to respond to.

I am the legal landowner but not the Contractor at 2088 Dagget Lane , Trout Run, Pennsylvania. A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of constructing and maintaining two wood "debris" dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond. While I did not pay for, authorize, nor supervise their dam project, I think they would be highly offended that you call their skillful use of natures building materials "debris." I would like to challenge your department to attempt to emulate their dam project any time and/or any place you choose. I believe I can safely state there is no way you could ever match their dam skills, their dam resourcefulness, their dam ingenuity, their dam persistence, their dam determination and/or their dam work ethic

As to your request, I do not think the beavers are aware that they must first fill out a dam permit prior to the start of this type of dam activity.

My first dam question to you is:

(1) Are you trying to discriminate against my Spring Pond Beavers, or
(2) do you require all beavers throughout this State to conform to said dam request?

If you are not discriminating against these particular beavers, through the Freedom of Information Act, I request completed copies of all those other applicable beaver dam permits that have been issued. Perhaps we will see if there really is a dam violation of Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994, being sections 324.30101 to 324.30113 of the Pennsylvania Compiled Laws, annotated.

I have several concerns. My first concern is, aren't the beavers entitled to legal representation? The Spring Pond Beavers are financially destitute and are unable to pay for said representation -- so the State will have to provide them with a dam lawyer. The Department's dam concern that either one or both of the dams failed during a recent rain event, causing flooding, is proof that this is a natural occurrence, which the department is required to protect. In other words, we should leave the Spring Pond Beavers alone rather than harassing them and calling their dam names.

If you want the stream "restored" to a dam free-flow condition please contact the beavers -- but if you are going to arrest them, they obviously did not pay any attention to your dam letter, they being unable to read English.

In my humble opinion, the Spring Pond Beavers have a right to build their unauthorized dams as long as the sky is blue, the grass is green and water flows downstream. They have more dam rights than I do to live and enjoy Spring Pond. If the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection lives up to its name, it should protect the natural resources (Beavers) and the environment (Beavers' Dams).

So, as far as the beavers and I are concerned, this dam case can be referred for more elevated enforcement action right now. Why wait until 1/31/2006 ? The Spring Pond Beavers may be under the dam ice then, and there will be no way for you or your dam staff to contact/harass them then.

In conclusion, I would like to bring to your attention to a real environmental quality, health, problem in the area. It is the bears! Bears are actually defecating in our woods. I definitely believe you should be persecuting the defecating bears and leave the beavers alone.

If you are going to investigate the beaver dam, watch your step! The bears are not careful where they dump!

Being unable to comply with your dam request, and being unable to contact you on your dam answering machine, I am sending this response to your dam office.

RYAN DEVRIES & THE DAM BEAVERS

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Special thanks to Smart Growth Online, Smart Growth America, Planetizen, KnowledgePlex, and the Urban Land Institute's (ULI's) Smart Growth News for their extraordinary news sweeps, which provide substantial content to our state and National News. Check them out!!

If you have any news or events that you would like to add to our newsletter, please submit them to info@visionlongisland.org for consideration.

For more information about Vision Long Island, please visit http://www.visionlongisland.org or contact us at:
24 Woodbine Ave. Suite One Northport, NY 11768. Phone: (631) 261-0242. Fax: (631) 754-4452.
Email: info@visionlongisland.org

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