CNY CHAPTER OF IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA * CITIZENS
CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT * LAW OFFICE OF JOE HEATH * NEIGHBORS
OF THE ONONDAGA NATION *
NINE MILE CREEK CONSERVATION COUNCIL * ONONDAGA AUDUBON SOCIETY
* ONONDAGA SHORELINE * PARTNERSHIP FOR ONONDAGA CREEK * SIERRA
CLUB, IROQUOIS GROUP
August 4, 2014
J. Ryan McMahon, Chairman Onondaga County Legislature 401
Montgomery Street Room 407, Courthouse Syracuse, New York 13202
RE: Resolution Extending the Public Comment Period for the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for the Lakeview Amphitheater
Project
Dear Chairman McMahon:
We, the undersigned organizations, are writing today in support
of an extension of the public comment period on the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Lakeview Amphitheater
Project and provision of an additional evening hearing. We
appreciate this effort to provide greater opportunity for the
public to be heard regarding this project, which may be critical in
shaping future development around and use of Onondaga Lakes
shoreline.
We note, however, that many issues related to this project
remain unresolved and key planning
and design documents, including a business plan, site
remediation plan, site management plan, long-term traffic
mitigation measures, and detailed construction plans for building
on unstable Solvay Wastes, remain in development or unavailable to
the public. We are concerned that neither the public nor the County
Legislature can form a complete picture of the unmitigable
environmental impacts of this project or weigh them against the
projects social and economic benefits, as required by the State
Environmental Quality and Review Act (SEQRA), without this
information. For that reason, we urge the County Legislature to
hold the DEIS comment period open until these documents and plans
are available for review.
Again, we appreciate the Legislatures efforts to provide
meaningful opportunity for public input on this project. The DEIS
and related materials, including the Conceptual Design Report, are
lengthy and technical documents. While the DEIS provides summaries
of some findings, much of the meat of the environmental analysis is
contained in the technical appendices on noise, traffic, and visual
impacts. The additional time being provided will help ensure that
interested members of the public, as well as advocacy groups, are
able to develop an understanding of the project, its potential
consequences, and proposed mitigation measures. Thank you for
considering our additional concerns. Sincerely, Conrad Strozik,
President Maryanne Adams, Conservation Chair Central New York
Chapter, Izaak Walton League Onondaga Audubon Society of
America
