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C.A.R.E.S.
(Citizens Action for Residential Environments in Saugerties)
P.O. Box 899 Saugerties, NY 12477
PRESS RELEASE

CARES (Citizens Action for Residential Environments in Saugerties)
P.O. Box 899 Saugerties, NY 12477
www.stopthemine.com
PRESS RELEASE
Press Contact: Brian Donoghue (845) 247-0115
Saugerties, September 16, 2001

SAUGERTIES RESIDENTS GEAR UP TO SUPPORT MINING-RELATED ZONING AMENDMENT


    The first of two public hearings on a proposed Zoning Law amendment that would prohibit mining in residentially zoned areas will take place on Thursday, September 20th at 6:30 p.m. at the Cantine Field Pavilion in the Saugerties sport complex on Market Street. Anticipating a larger crowd than the Senior Center could accommodate, the venue was moved to the open-air pavilion.

    The proposed amendment was initiated by Saugerties Supervisor Greg Helmsmortel, with unanimous support from town council members, in response to concerns of residents who are currently facing the prospect of a 28 year large-scale mining operation in the residential hamlets of Veteran and Blue Mountain.

    CARES (Citizens Action for Residential Environments in Saugerties), the citizensı group formed to combat that specific mine has successfully galvanized wide-spread support for the amendment. "Itıs no secret that commercial mining operations have long-term negative impacts on residential areas," said CARES member Brian Donoghue. "People have legitimate concerns about air and water quality, their wells, reduced property values, noise, truck traffic and how that impacts the safety of their children. I expect the Town Board will get an earful."

   Should the Town adopt the amendment after the second public hearing, scheduled for Oct. 11th at the Saugerties High School, mining would be eliminated as a permitted use in all residential areas and added as a permitted use allowed by special use permit in all areas zoned for office and light industrial use. Mining is already, under the law, permitted in industrially zoned areas of Saugerties, and that would not change.

    "People have asked if the Shott mine would be allowed once the amendment is adopted," said CARE attorney March Gallagher. "The answer is no. Only those establishments operating as legal mines when the law goes into effect will be grandfathered in as a pre-existing use. As Shott does not have a current mining permit for the site, is not currently operating and, in fact, was shut down for operating without a permit, his operation cannot be considered a legally operating mine."

    CARES urges all Saugerties residents to attend Thursdayıs public hearing. More information is available on the CARES website www.stopthemine.com

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