Pocantico Lake Development is a Resource for All of Westchester County
Thank you for featuring a story about the ill-advised proposal to site a 31-home subdivision on Pocantico Lake last week.
Your article left the impression that the opposition to the project consists entirely of homeowners residing close to the lake. This is not the case. The undersigned, for example, live five miles away in Tarrytown. We visit the lake regularly in summer because, in Westchester County, there is simply no other publicly owned park in such a beautiful, natural setting. In other words, our opposition to development near this rare environmental and recreational resource arises not from NIMBYism, but rather from sensible conservationism.
The lake is better understood as a unique county resource rather than a local one. The proposed development affects residents beyond the borders of the Town of Mount Pleasant, where the project proposal is currently pending.
For this reason, Westchester County should assume the role of lead agency for the project’s SEQR review to ensure a full environmental impact statement that considers the countywide social, recreational and environmental importance of Pocantico Lake.
Fred, Cathy and Margaret Ruhland-Mauhs
Tarrytown
Examiner Media – Keeping you informed with professionally-reported local news, features, and sports coverage.
