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

Sarah Eckel, Legislative & Policy Director Lloyd Withers Citizens Campaign for the Environment Onondaga Shoreline Joe Heath Lionel Logan Law Office of Joe Heath Partnership for Onondaga Creek Fred Miller, President Martha Loew, Chair Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council Sierra Club, Iroquois Group Sue Eiholzer & Jack Ramsden Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation cc: Onondaga County Legislature Hon. Joanie Mahoney, Onondaga County Executive Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner Liverpool Mayor Gary White Solvay Mayor Ronald Benedetti Salina Supervisor Mark Nicotra