Rockland County Water - What do we have to work with?

Let's Start With Facts
1. Rockland County and for that matter, much of the northeast receives plenty of precipitation, usually more than 40 inches a year. Managing, and supplying clean drinking water is THE MOST important issue we need to do correctly; more important than oil, roads, bridges, etc.

2. What is the science and importance of the natural resources in our area that supply drinking water?  Download two reports by the US Forest Service, the initial in 1992 and an update in 2002 regarding the US Forest Service reports and evaluation of the status and stresses on The Highlands; an area stretching from northeast Pennsylvania through northwest NJ, lower Hudson Valley and into western Connecticut.  Download and look at the summary of the  2010 Paul Heisg USGS report on the water resources in Rockland County, NY.  
Highlands Regional Study - USDA Forest Servicewww.na.fs.fed.us/highlands/maps_pubs/regional.../regional_study.shtmempty, Reports and Achievements. empty, Civil Rights. contact: web developer. TheHighlands of Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania  ...

USGS Rockland County Water-Resource Assessmentny.water.usgs.gov/projects/rockland/Jan 14, 2013 - Paul Heisig USGS NYWSC Troy, NY tel. (518) 285-5648 email: pmheisig@usgs. gov, Dick Yager USGS NYWSC Ithaca, NY tel. (607) 266-0217  ...

3.  Finally take a look at what New Jersey did in response to the Highlands Report  by taking measures to manage the natural resource that provides them drinking water, it ensures that over-development is not placed in front of clean drinking water; and yes it is controversial.  The Findings of Fact on the first two pages sounds very similar to the challenges that Rockland County faces now, and will face in the future.

http://www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/actmaps/act/chapter_120_laws_of_%202004.pdf

5. United Water NY (UWNY) was mandated by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to find and bring online additional supply of water and have a plan for the future.  PSC did not say HOW they should do this, just that they should.  So look at their own study and then judge for yourself what you feel is the best option. Take an interest where your water will come from, don't take it for granted, your health depends on it, your wallet depends on it, and your quality of life depends on it.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=haverstraw%20water%20supply%20project&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.haverstrawwatersupplyproject.com%2Fdraft-environmental-impact-study-deis.html&ei=RoksUuTGCIfO8QSk9oDIBw&usg=AFQjCNHiXBy6zNFTZRKzX86y_J0qw38aug&bvm=bv.51773540,d.eWU

There is a lot of information here, too much too digest, so read the summaries, then read more if you choose.  UWNY must comply with the PSC order.  If your voice on this issue is not heard by UWNY, PSC, NYSDEC, and the Governor, if need be, then you will not have a right to complain about receiving drinking water from the Hudson River.

UWNY has put forth the idea that:

1. Rockland needs more water and they need it now;
2. We have been led to believe by UWNY that Rockland will run out of water if the Desal Plant is not built;
3. UWNY says that the Desal Plant will help Rockland's economy by fostering more development.  Is there anyone out there who believes that there is room for Rockland County to be more developed without negatively affecting our already compromised quality of life?
4. Spoken or implied, the message that UWNY is sending to Rockland residents is that you will never have to worry about your water faucet running dry if we build and bring the Desal Plant online.   That's a dangerous idea because it opens the door for unlimited development, development that may not be smart, sustainable, and needed.  Case in point: The proposed Patrick Farm Development; under current conditions, UWNY may not be able to guarantee water service to such  large proposed development. The development is poorly located in the wetland area that cleans and provides drinking water to UWNY wells and to downstream customers in NJ; oh and by the way the area is a sole sorce aquifer by EPA designation it needs special protections.  http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=Patrick%20Farm%20Development&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CDoQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Frosa4rockland.org%2Fresources%2Fpatrick-farm-history%2F&ei=yY8sUuSvEIqQ9gTUsYDIDQ&usg=AFQjCNF_ei2Qz6o3J-sDG6c8WtbN6ln9KQ

My final thought, UWNY is a publicly held firm that is in the business of selling water, it's how they make money; and there shareholder's want a return on their investment.  They are not beholden to the residents of Rockland County; we have no authority over them. Their primary objective is to make money by selling water, pure and simple.  The best way for them to do that is to build the Desal Plant, and that is the real reason they are pushing this option over others.