COTTEKILL – A memorandum of understanding on how the state Department
of Environmental Conservation and the Thruway Authority would handle the
lead agency role in the environmental review of the Pilgrim Pipeline is
being formally criticized by the Town of Rosendale.
In a letter to DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos, the town board questioned
the memorandum of understanding between the two state agencies. In particular,
a provision in the event of an impasse over a specific issue, it would
be referred to the Executive Steering Committee for review and resolution
within 30 days.
But, Town Board Member Jennifer Metzger noted that resolution committee
would be comprised of one member each from the DEC and Thruway Authority,
thus creating the possibility of a further stalemate.
Owners of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline would see it run on Thruway right-of-way,
cutting through much of the Hudson Valley.
