Help!DEP holds public hearing
on Alpine Rose permits
The public hearing, held August 22, 2007, was in response to an application submitted by Richard Muller Jr., of Alpine Rose Resorts Inc. Muller wants the DEP to reinstate his NPDES permit application, which will allow him to discharge ''stormwater'' from construction activities into the Aquashicola Creek, a high-quality, cold-water fishery.
There were 54 people in the audience and 9 people stood to testify. However we believe DEP has received many letters, some with documented evidence to prove the NPDES permit should not be issued. BMPA's Attorney Kenneth Kristl also entered a testimony on our behalf, which was outstanding. We thank all the speakers and letter writers for their effort and work to show DEP why this permit approval would be a very big mistake.
The DEP said it could be the end of the year before they reach a decision. For further information or to comment on this inappropriate plan for such a pristine wilderness area, contact Mark Carmon of the Department's Northeast Regional Office at (570) 826-2511.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONFERENCE, RESIDENTS APPEAL
RACETRACK APPROVAL The Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) and the Blue MountainPreservation Association (BMPA) have asked the Monroe County, Pa.,Court of Common Pleas to overturn the Eldred Township supervisors'final approval of Alpine Rose Resorts' plans for a driving course forhigh-performance cars in that rural area just below the legendarynational scenic trail's route.
The appeal of that October 5, 2003, decision, the groups' third legalchallenge to the resort, was filed November 4, 2004. Oral arguments on thefirst appeal -- challenging the supervisors' preliminary approval of theresort in October 2003 -- were heard in Philadelphia on November 2, 2004, by a panel ofthree judges of the Commonwealth Court, but a decision is not expectedbefore January.
The second appeal incorporates all the groups' issues and claims fromthe first lawsuit, which the Monroe County court twice rejected orignored.
As they had argued before, the groups said that approval of the finaldevelopment plan, even with conditions, is contrary to the township'saffirmative duty under the state constitution and the PennsylvaniaAppalachian Trail Act to protect the Appalachian Trail's "natural,scenic, historic, and esthetic values." ATC sound experts showed in2003 that the potential noise from the resort would have far greaterimpact on the experience of hiking the Trail (not to mention livingnearby) than the developer asserted.
The groups also argued in the suit that the township failed toestablish any conditions to enforce the noise standards incorporated inthe plan, and no evidence supports a finding that the proposed facilitycould or would meet those standards. The noise covenants in the finalplan were established in negotiations with the township attorney afterthe factual record in the proceedings was closed, so ATC and BMPA hadno opportunity to present expert analysis of the implications, thecourt papers state.
Moreover, the final plan provides even less protection from noise thanthe preliminary plan in a number of ways, argued the groups' attorney,Charles W. Elliot of Easton.
ATC, a private nonprofit organization, exists to protect and conservethe 2,174-mile-long Appalachian Trail and its surrounding 270,000 acresof public lands-working primarily with the National Park Service, USDAForest Service, 14 state governments, and 31 autonomous clubs that arehomes to the 4,500 volunteers who keep the footpath open and overnightsites enjoyable. BMPA is an organization of residents of the EldredTownship area formed three years ago to oppose the 360-acre Alpine Rosedevelopment.
For further comment, please contact Charles Elliott at (610) 252-4338.
URGENT
In a 2-to-1 vote, the Eldred Township Supervisors granted final plan approval to Alpine Rose Resorts.
This approval was granted despite significant changes from the preliminary plan to the final plan and without the information that an impartial third party economic impact study would have provided.
It was approved despite the evidence provided by the developer that he cannot meet the 5dBa noise limit set by Monroe County Judge Vican with 25 cars on the track. This number, by the way, is a decrease by half of the number of cars that the developer based his economic impact study on.
Final Plan approval is conditioned on the pending litigation based on the noise impact to the Appalachian Trail and the Pennsylvania Trails Act.
Approval also hinges on the developer's ability to obtain permits from the DEP for his sewage disposal facility and his pre- and post-storm water management.
Please contact the DEP and let them know how wrong this project is for this area. Here's how:
Write to: Northeast Regional Office
2 Public Square
Wilkes-Barre,
PA 18711-0790
Attn: Kate Crowley, Water Management Program Manager
If you prefer to call:
570-826-2554
(Kate Crowley)
OR
570-826-2511
(Mark Carmon, community relations)
Or you may fax:570-830-3054
We MUST continue to fight, this project has not reached the stage in which it can begin development.
The DEP is willing to listen and we will have our day in court November 2nd.
|
 OUR MISSION
About 250 million years ago, the continent that is now Europe collided with North America. The force of that collision caused the Appalachian Mountains to rise up and reach elevations that rivaled the Rockies and Himalayans. Because these mountains are some of the oldest on earth, they have eroded to the remnants that are part of the predominant topography of the present-day eastern North America. Spanning some 1,500 miles, the Appalachian Mountains stretch from Newfoundland and the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec to central Alabama. Through our home region of Pennsylvania, the eastern ridge of this geological wonder makes up what has come to be known as the Blue Mountain. 
Through the eons of time, this "Blue Mountain" has experienced changes and threats to its diverse and fragile ecosystem. The forest biome that exists along the Blue Mountain is under threat from the present day trends of progress and human encroachment activities. Our governing bodies, having recognized these very real threats, have invested substantial funding along the Appalachian Mountain corridor in an effort to preserve and protect it. 
To help in this cause and to concentrate preservation efforts within our "neighborhood mountain", the "Blue Mountain Preservation Association" has been formed to preserve, protect and promote the natural resources and environment of the Blue Mountain in Monroe County and throughout its range. The concerned citizens that comprise this nonprofit, incorporated association are dedicated to the preservation of the unique forest ecosystems and riparian zones indigenous to the Blue Mountain and the Aquashicola Creek. The Association recognizes the present day threats to these natural assets and will strive to preserve this heritage for the present and future generations. To that end, the association will encourage sensible and responsible approaches to development along the mountain. If you are interested in joining these efforts or would like to lend support Become a Member by clicking on Membership or EMAIL us @ Blue Mountain Preservation Association All donations are tax deductible.
"Blue Mountain PreservationAssociation, Inc. is a member-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of the natural resource and environment of the Blue Mountain in Monroe County and throughout its range".
|