Belleayre Mega- Development

We, the undersigned, citizens concerned about the far-reaching and irreparable damage the proposed Belleayre Resort would do to our environment to the quality of our drinking water to the Catskill Park, one of two major state parks in New York to the character and social stability of our rural communities to wildlife habitat... and to the wilderness recreational activities pursued by so many, do hereby strongly declare our opposition to the development of this mega-resort in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.
We oppose the creation of what would effectively be a new city in the middle of the Catskill Park hotels, time-share units, luxury homes, clubhouses, restaurants, stores, activity centers, conference facilities, maintenance buildings, parking lots, access roads, etc. that would be wholly inconsonant with the surrounding hamlets, with the character of our community, and with the intimate hospitality the region has traditionally offered to visitors;
We oppose the destruction of Belleayre Ridge and Belleayre Mountain through the clear-cutting, bulldozing, and blasting that would take place during the construction of this mega-resort, and we oppose the loss of a pristine eco-system and the damage to its plant life and animal habitat;
We oppose the devastation this mega-resort would wreak on the magnificent view shed and night sky of these mountains, on the State Forest Preserve, and on the Catskill Park;
We oppose the compromising of our water resources which also supply water to New York City through deforestation, erosion, eight years of construction activity (including blasting), and the risk of toxic substances entering surface and ground water through use in golf courses;
We oppose the negative consequences we believe this development would bring to our economy and our way of life: a sudden and disproportionate population growth exacerbating the current crisis in affordable housing, the potential for uncontrollable secondary growth, a spike in property taxes that could displace many homeowners, pressures on our property values, traffic congestion that would adversely affect business and commerce, rapid and radical change that could imperil the core strength of local communities;
We oppose the loss of a unique environment a prized asset for all the people of New York in order to provide financial gain for a few.
We therefore petition Governor George E. Pataki, NYSDEC Commissioner Erin Crotty, and all local, county, state, and Federal permitting agencies to reject and deny all applications relating to the proposed Belleayre Resort.