Regional Ecological Impacts of Massive Proposed Development Detailed in Scenic Hudson Study

"This entire project needs to be rethought with stewardship of the natural environment as the guiding principle of site planning and design."--Dr. Michael Klemens,
Scenic Hudson Director of Conservation Science

During a Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 public comment meeting before the Pine Plains (Dutchess County) Planning Board, Scenic Hudson's Dr. Michael Klemens spoke out about the ecological impacts of the Durst housing development proposed for an important wildlife area along the Pine Plains-Milan border.

Dr. Klemens, a renowned conservation biologist, presented the results of an ecologic assessment that he prepared in consultation with Scenic Hudson planner Mark Wildonger and Scenic Hudson General Counsel Warren Reiss.

Dr. Klemens' study demonstrated that the proposed project -- which seeks to introduce 951 homes into a community with only 988 existing homes (per 2000 U.S. Census for Pine Plains) -- would have significant negative ecological impacts, including the eradication of rare reptile and amphibian species from the site.

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