The NPS determined this project does not meet the requirements for substantial conformance with the River Management Plan (RMP.)

January 10, 2025 comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement - 220 pages

Click the link for access to the DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT documents.

NOTE: there are many documents in this list, scroll to the end to download the DEIS pdf

READ THE FACTS! - What is the real impact of a corporate water park on the Upper Delaware?

PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS)

Write the Town of Highland

Ms. Monica McGil, Planning Board Secretary

planningboardzba@townofhighlandny.com

4 Proctor Rd

Eldred, NY 12732

There are numerous very serious issues the DEIS must consider and address followed by a period of community review and accessible public hearings.

The scoping document should include impacts on the use of the RV park year round, not just seasonally. The analysis should include impacts to the community, to the environment, to wildlife, to businesses in the region, to traffic for emergency services, for property values in the adjacent community, and for municipal, county or state services in the region.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Camp FIMFO is the largest proposed development of its kind along the Upper Delaware River, the NPS has serious concerns with the potential impacts on area resources.

AUGUST 24, 2022

SULLIVAN COUNTY DIVISION OF PLANNING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

September 14, 2022

Supplemental comment regarding proposed Northgate Resorts development in Barryville, NY called Camp FIMFO

SENT TO ALL RELEVANT AGENCIES

Provided by Camp FIMFO

September 2, 2022

Prepared for: Upper Delaware Council Project Review Committee

Prepared by: Kerry Engelhardt, P.E., Resources & Land Use Specialist

FINAL FIMFO SITE PLAN

Over 300 Campsites

283 Cabins in a small area.

283 Cabins with BATHROOMS, ELECTRIC, AC, HEATING.

Septic System plan

30,000 gallons of wastewater per day with 25 septic systems

Well Map

40,000 gallons of water usage per day from ground wells

CAMP FIMFO FIRMETTE - Dry Brook

Water Distribution Zone

FIMFO FINAL PLANS submitted to the DRBC

Site Section

RESORT SIZED POOLS

Two 6200 SQ ft pools containing almost 200,000 gallons of chlorine treated water

February 6, 2023

FIMFO Narrative

JULY 27, 2023, NPS determines that FIMFO does not comply with the River Management Plan of the Upper Delaware Corridor.

AUGUST 2, 2023

River Reporter letter by Michael Sussman Esq,

“The NPS conclusion makes clear that (FIMFO) is inherently flawed and violates critical guidelines and regulations which govern review of such projects. And the issues NPS highlights go to the heart of the project, and cannot be easily rectified.”

September 1, 2023.

“The aggressive, overbearing, abusive, bullying and misleading letter sent by Northgate-FIMFO to Norman Sutherland as Chair of the Town of Highland Planning Board was clearly designed to obfuscate the facts and to intimidate the Town of Highland into issuing a decision harmful to the Delaware River, the River Corridor, our communities, and the Town of Highland, solely for the purpose of feeding Northgate- FIMFO’s private money-making goals.”

JUNE 26, 2023

National Park Service finds … “The proposal also fundamentally intensifies the land use in this campground, failing to maintain the traditional use of a transient campground by installing dwelling units that will be semi-permanently or permanently affixed to the landscape. The project will not maintain the natural, scenic, and rural character of the corridor. The potential cumulative impacts on the ecosystem from the intensity of use coupled with a five-fold increase in wastewater generate are unknown and could permanently degrade the Upper Delaware River corridor.”

Date Aug 16, 2023

Read the “aggressive, overbearing, abusive, bullying and misleading letter sent by Northgate-FIMFO to Norman Sutherland clearly designed to obfuscate the facts and to intimidate the Town of Highland into issuing a decision harmful to the Delaware River, the River Corridor.”

Sept 20, 2023 - The River Reporter published a remarkable editorial regarding Northgate Corporation and FIMFO, and became just the most recent voice to demand that the Town of Highland Planning Board order an Independent Environmental Impact Study.

“It should be clear to everyone – even those in favor of this project – that an Independent Environmental Impact Study is the only right and responsible thing to do to if this project is to move forward.”

Sept 22, 2023 - Excerpt:

There is another kind of “religion” that has become insidious and destructive. It worships the god of corporate profits. I am reminded of a vintage Joni Mitchell song entitled: Big Yellow Taxi. Its famous refrain is:

Don’t it always seem to go

That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til its gone

They paved paradise, put up a parking lot

September 12, 2023 - Excerpt:

It is God’s commandment that we be stewards of the Earth. Nature is the creation of God, and this project is worrisome for many reasons, but now the Town must be resolute and rebuke this letter and this language in the strongest of terms: We will not tolerate anti-Semitism, hate speech, bullying, or fear mongering meant to divide our town.

September 26, 2023 Recommendation:

“The entire project as conceived by the applicant should be evaluated now (with a full DEIS) so that significant adverse environmental impacts can be disclosed and mitigated. …

With a full DEIS, the public and the Lead Agency will be provided complete information on the project proposal and any potential adverse environmental impacts it may have.”

Full and fair implementation of the DEIS requires the Town to get the best information out of this process. … A robust, inclusive, and fully informed comment process will best serve the community, and the Town of Highland Planning Board.

NOVEMBER 29, 2023

Public comments call for a deeper look at environmental impacts, but Keystone recommends only very minor changes to the scoping document. Why?!