Chairman’s Report – August 7, 2008
Over the past months many things have evolved regarding the Seneca Army Depot. We have seen the public stand up, finally, and voice their objection over a proposal to institute year round fee hunting of both small and large game within the Depot. It was a welcome change to have support from the public to defeat such a terrible and ill conceived proposal. Is the proposal dead? No one really knows at this time but we will keep you posted if and when it surfaces again.
Many of you have asked when will there be more tours as hundreds of people had to be turned away in 2006. I wish I could respond with a positive note but I am afraid at this time, there is nothing on the horizon to indicate any willingness by the Seneca County Industrial Development Agency to allow any tours in the immediate future. If something does change, we will send out press releases and post information on this website so check frequently.
The demise of the ethanol plant at the Depot could be seen coming as the world was beginning to better recognize the true cost of ethanol production. One only needs to buy groceries to see the affect on dairy, meat, eggs and grain products that switching corn from food to ethanol production was causing. Finally, some common sense was being delivered by both state and federal legislators as they stopped the gravy train of subsidies that caused so many investors to become involved in ethanol production in the first place. The ethanol issue, however, is not totally dead at the Depot as Empire Biofuels (note the word ‘Green’ has now been removed from its former title) is still trying to find financing to build a plant. In our opinion, this will not happen as investors and state agencies have significantly reduced financial aid to such plants.
The possibility of the US Army from Watertown’s Fort Drum coming to utilize part of the Depot is now undergoing an environmental review. I believe it will happen and if properly managed by the Army should not cause significant impact to the conservation area of the Depot. One of the biggest concerns could be any effects on the first bald eagle nest within the Depot and the potential impact of noise and helicopters on the nest and the eaglets next spring. This is all part of the environmental review process. It appears the Army intends to use the Depot for up to two years and by so doing so should help to keep any potential commercial and industrial projects out of the conservation area.
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation wetland remapping is now in its eight month of review and there has been no hint of resolving the number of acres considered to be wetlands between the IDA and the DEC. Stay tuned.
Finally, and I cannot emphasize this enough, we need both your financial support and your support letters to the leaders of New York State. For nine years a small band of women and men have been toiling to protect the interests of a national treasure. Surely you can send in your tax deductible donation and write to those leaders asking for their support to protect the natural resources and open space of the former Depot? We have provided all the addresses on this website to make contacting the political leaders easy. Don’t fiddle your time away like the grasshopper. Be like the ant and be industrious and spend a few minutes to aid this nine year campaign. Remember, the Seneca Army Depot was built with public money and continues to be maintained by public money. It truly belongs to the people of our nation but this won’t happen without your support.
Your support is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Dennis Money
Chairman, Seneca White Deer Inc