Following are responses to a proposal favorably considered by the Town Board Work Session on March 21, 2024.
Additional comments can be sent to jmcauliff@gmail.com or inserted in the comment box below.
The project would use 165 acres, 27.5% of developable land, to construct an artificial lake, RV parking and campgound.
Read about the proposal here https://riverheadlocal.com/2024/03/21/rv-park-pitched-for-epcal-site-would-include-100-acre-manmade-lake-amenities/
The actual proposal is here https://www.townofriverheadny.gov/files/documents/SeaSystemsagenda217161516032024-013428PMe.pdf
**************************************
The proposal for a 165-acre RV park at the EPCAL site in Suffolk County, New York, exemplifies the intricate entanglement of local politics and economic interests, sparking concerns about the potential repercussions for both the community and the environment.
Mark Lembo, spearheading the project, and his attorney Steven Losquadro, who also serves as counsel to the Suffolk County Republican Committee, received a notably warm reception from a Town Board aligned politically with the applicant. This alignment raises concerns about possible conflicts of interest and the prioritization of economic benefits over environmental stewardship and community welfare.
Central to the proposal is the excavation of approximately 100 acres to create a manmade lake, positioning the RV park as a prime destination for enthusiasts, complemented by tent and cabin sites. While the project is touted as a recreational boon that could enhance local tourism, it necessitates significant environmental alterations—specifically, the creation of a substantial manmade lake via sand mining. The environmental ramifications of sand mining, including potential habitat destruction, water table depletion, and soil erosion, spotlight the project's environmental concerns.
The project has been enthusiastically endorsed by Supervisor Tim Hubbard and other Town Board members, who highlight its minimal environmental impact and the high demand for RV slots. However, this perspective may overlook broader environmental considerations and community impacts. The involvement of Lembo and Losquadro, figures well-known in Riverhead politics with ties to the Republican party, alongside Hubbard's remarks on the value of sand, underscores the potential for interwoven political and economic interests to influence the approval process.
Additionally, the Town's consideration of increased fees for excavated material removal—not as a project deterrent but as a financial strategy—signals a strong interest in the economic upside of the sand mining component. This fiscal focus, when combined with the political connections at play, prompts questions regarding the impartiality of the project's evaluation and the prospects for subsequent campaign contributions stemming from such a lucrative deal.
Ongoing litigation over the site, resulting from a canceled contract with another developer, adds complexity to the scenario. It highlights the contentious nature of development projects at the EPCAL site and the potential for legal and financial complications that may arise from favoring specific development proposals over holistic planning and community interests.
In summary, the RV park proposal at the EPCAL site represents a broader dilemma where development interests, supported by political alliances, might eclipse concerns for environmental and community welfare. While economic development is crucial, it must be pursued in harmony with sustainable practices and transparent decision-making that benefits the entire community, not merely a select few. The project's enthusiastic reception by the Town Board, despite environmental and ethical concerns, underscores the necessity for vigilance and accountability in local governance.
Furthermore, the RV park proposal conspicuously lacks economic innovation and long-term job creation, especially in providing high-paying employment opportunities for the local community. The development might offer a temporary employment spike during its construction phase, but the ongoing operation of an RV park is unlikely to yield a significant number of high-quality jobs. Typically, such positions are seasonal, part-time, and low-wage, insufficient for meaningful economic upliftment of the local populace or the attraction of skilled labor. This shortfall in the project reveals a lack of vision and ambition for the EPCAL site, which harbors the potential for more innovative and economically transformative projects. Rather than seizing opportunities that could deliver substantial employment, foster skill development, and propel sustainable economic growth, this proposal seems to opt for a quick, politically expedient solution that neglects the site's unique potential for significant community and economic advancement.
****************
Based on information from a source providing details on Long Island sand prices, fine sand is priced at $45 per cubic yard
With the total volume of sand from a 100-acre pit dug down 20 feet being approximately 3,226,667 cubic yards.
Let's do the calculation.
The total value of the sand in a 100-acre pit dug down 20 feet, based on the current price of Long Island sand, would be approximately $145.2 million.
*****************
I emailed a while back about how nothing will pass the Town Board for EPCAL unless it provides big bucks to the Republican Party and their minions. This new sand mining lake proposal is a disgrace and a rape of EPCAL to fill the pockets of the Republicans of Suffolk County. What a shame. When the town inherited the site one of the main reasons was to provide jobs for all the skilled workers being laid off by Grumman. Another reason was to provide recreational opportunities for the people of Riverhead. What happened? This will provide nothing for the people of Riverhead.
The proposed destruction of 160 acres of woodland in order to mine the sand for the construction industry (making cement) is beyond the pale. (See page 5 aerial photo.) The follow-on paving and hardscaping will create a phenomenal condition for runoff containing chemicals and particulates from the 125 parking spaces. (See page 6 illustration.)
ReplyDeleteBut these are not the science-based facts which are going to turn the tide of Big Money from flooding this town. These are the personal offenses which the people in power are going to simply disregard. The first piece of information I’d like to see is the profit from the extraction of sand from 100 acres. Let’s follow the money first.
I am including a few of our Southold civic members in this email, as this is not just a Riverhead issue but a regional one. We have had similar issues with the Strong’s Marina proposal in Mattituck and others in Riverhead recently. It will take all of us to work against this project for our mutual benefit.
Mark Haubner, Aquebogue